A rice washer is a bowl or colander made for rinsing rice before cooking. Most have a solid bottom so rice can soak, plus holes or slots on the side that let cloudy water run out while the grains stay in. Many cooks also use them for quinoa, beans and berries.
The six tools below range from Japanese-style bowls with side drains to a fine mesh colander set. Materials, sizes and drainage come from each product’s listing page. We have not used these washers ourselves, and the makers’ claims are described as theirs.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Drainage | Side or bottom drains let water leave while grains stay in |
| Material | Stainless steel is rigid, while plastic is light |
| Capacity | It should hold your usual batch with room to swish |
| Hole size | Fine holes keep small grains such as quinoa from slipping out |
Specs at a Glance
| Washer | Material and size | Drainage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inomata | Plastic; 2 qt; 9.5 in wide | Side drain; solid bottom | Made in Japan; dishwasher safe per listing |
| Joyce Chen | Stainless steel; 10.6 x 9.5 x 5.4 in | Drain holes; angled bottom | Bumps on the base; hang hole |
| Helen’s Asian Kitchen | Stainless steel per bowl line; 3 qt; 9 in wide | Side strainer | Flat solid base; material fields conflict |
| OXO Good Grips | Stainless steel; 10.4 x 9.74 x 4.4 in | 0.5 mm mesh; spout holes | Non-slip handles |
| Paoli | 304 stainless steel; 8.65 in colander | 2 mm holes | Comes with a 2 qt mixing bowl |
| Kotobuki | Plastic; 600 ml | Bottom and side strainers | Made in Japan; footed base |
The 6 Best Rice Washers
1. Inomata Plastic Japanese Rice Washing Bowl, 2 Quart
A clear plastic bowl, 9.5 inches wide, with a solid bottom for soaking and a side drain that lets floating bran and debris pour out. The maker says it is made in Japan from BPA-free plastic and is top-rack dishwasher safe.
Suits: a classic Japanese-style bowl. Strengths: a clear bowl with a side drain. Weaknesses: plastic, and a lid is listed in the components but not described. Skip it if you want metal.
View Inomata Plastic Japanese Rice Washing Bowl with Strainer, 2 quart on Amazon
2. Joyce Chen Stainless Steel Rice Strainer Bowl
A stainless steel bowl about 10.6 by 9.5 by 5.4 inches with drain holes, bumps on the bottom meant to loosen residue, a hang hole and an angled base that tips forward for draining. The listed weight (0.31 g) is clearly wrong, so we leave weight out.
Suits: larger batches of rice. Strengths: a large basin and a hang hole. Weaknesses: the weight listing is wrong. Skip it if you only rinse small amounts.
View Joyce Chen Stainless Steel Rice Strainer Bowl Rice Washer Colander on Amazon
3. Helen’s Asian Kitchen Japanese Rice Washing Bowl, 3-Quart
A 3 quart round bowl, 9 inches wide and 6 inches tall, with a flat solid base and a side strainer. The bowl line reads stainless steel while another field reads plastic, so check the product page for the final material before you buy.
Suits: a roomy bowl for rinsing and soaking. Strengths: a 3 quart size and a flat base. Weaknesses: conflicting material fields. Skip it if you need a confirmed material.
View Helen’s Asian Kitchen Japanese Rice Washing Bowl, 3-Quart, Side Drainer on Amazon
4. OXO Good Grips Rice and Small Grains Washing Colander
A stainless steel colander about 10.4 by 9.74 by 4.4 inches with a 0.5 millimeter mesh opening. The maker says it drains at a pace made for rinsing, water pools to show when it runs clear, the spout has extra holes and the handles are non-slip.
Suits: quinoa and other small grains. Strengths: fine mesh and handles. Weaknesses: slower drainage than open holes. Skip it if you want a bowl with a solid base.
View OXO Good Grips Rice and Small Grains Washing Colander on Amazon
5. Paoli 304 Stainless Steel Fine Mesh Colander Set, 2QT
A two-piece set: an 8.65 inch fine mesh colander with 2 millimeter holes and a 2 quart stainless mixing bowl. The listing calls it 304 stainless steel and dishwasher safe, and says it handles rice, quinoa and lentils.
Suits: a kitchen that needs a colander and a bowl. Strengths: two pieces in one set. Weaknesses: not a dedicated rice bowl. Skip it if you want a side drain.
6. Kotobuki Japanese Rice Washer with Dual Drain
A small clear plastic washer holding 600 milliliters, with strainers on both the bottom and the side and a footed base. It is listed as made in Japan and hand wash. The listing also names a corded electric power source, which we ignore as an error.
Suits: a small rinse. Strengths: two drains and a compact size. Weaknesses: small capacity. Skip it if you cook for a crowd.
View Kotobuki Japanese Rice Washer with Dual Drain, Clear on Amazon
Care and Setup
- Add water, swish the rice with your fingers and pour off the cloudy water.
- Repeat until the water looks clear.
- Rinse the washer right away so grains do not dry on.
- Check each listing for hand wash or dishwasher advice.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Pouring too fast and losing grains.
- Using a large-hole colander for quinoa.
- Overfilling so you cannot swish.
- Assuming the material from the title alone.
Rice Washer FAQ
Bowl or colander?
A bowl soaks and drains from the side. A fine colander drains from below.
Will it work for quinoa?
Fine mesh models such as the OXO and the Paoli keep small grains in best.
The Short Version
For a classic bowl, the Inomata. For big batches, the Joyce Chen. For a roomy bowl, the Helen’s. For fine mesh, the OXO. For a bowl and colander set, the Paoli. For a small dual-drain rinse, the Kotobuki.
