The Large Oxo Salad Spinner and its smaller counterpart, the Small Oxo Salad Spinner, share the same excellent design but are built for different households. The decision comes down to capacity and storage space: the small version is ideal for individuals or couples with limited cabinet room, while the large version is a workhorse for families and dedicated meal preppers.
Here’s a detailed comparison to help you choose the right Oxo spinner for your kitchen.
Oxo Good Grips Small Salad Spinner
The Small Salad Spinner offers all the signature features of the Oxo design in a more compact package. It’s built for efficient, small-batch tasks, making it a perfect fit for smaller kitchens, RVs, or for anyone who typically prepares meals for one or two people. Its reduced footprint makes it much easier to store and handle than its larger sibling.
- What it is: A compact salad spinner designed to wash and dry greens, herbs, and berries for smaller households.
- Key features: Patented one-handed pump mechanism and brake button, clear bowl, non-slip base for stability, and a basket that doubles as a colander.
- Capacity: Approximately 3-4 quarts, suitable for 1-2 main course salads or 2-3 side salads.
- Dimensions: Roughly 8 inches in diameter and 6 inches tall, making it easy to fit into crowded cabinets or deep drawers.
- Materials: Durable, BPA-free plastic construction. The bowl and basket are top-rack dishwasher safe.
- Pros: Easy to store and conserves cabinet space. Lightweight and simple to handle. Perfect capacity for individuals or couples. Requires less water for washing small batches.
- Cons: Capacity is too small for families or meal prepping. You might need to dry greens in multiple batches for larger recipes or dinner guests.
This spinner is for the person who values cabinet space and typically cooks for one or two, offering just enough capacity for daily salads without the bulk.
Shop this product: oxo.com/salad-spinner-small
Oxo Good Grips Large Salad Spinner
The Large Salad Spinner is the classic, family-sized model that has become a staple in many kitchens. It's designed to handle big batches of greens, from a full head of lettuce to a large bunch of kale, in a single spin. This makes it an invaluable tool for families, people who entertain often, or anyone serious about meal prepping salads for the week.
- What it is: A high-capacity salad spinner designed for families, batch cooking, and washing large quantities of produce.
- Key features: Same easy-to-use one-handed pump and brake system, non-slip base, and colander basket as the small version, but scaled up for bigger jobs.
- Capacity: Approximately 5-6 quarts, enough to prepare salad for a family of four or more.
- Dimensions: Around 10.5 inches in diameter and 7.5 inches tall, requiring significant and dedicated storage space in a kitchen cabinet.
- Materials: Sturdy, BPA-free plastic. All parts are top-rack dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.
- Pros: Washes and dries large quantities of greens at once. Saves significant time for meal prep and family dinners. The large clear bowl is excellent for serving. Stable and robust A-frame during use.
- Cons: Takes up a considerable amount of storage space. Can be cumbersome to wash in smaller sinks. May be too large for the needs of a small household.
The large spinner is ideal for anyone who regularly washes a full head of lettuce or preps family-sized meals and has the kitchen storage to accommodate it.
Shop this product: oxo.com/salad-spinner-large
Small vs. Large Oxo Salad Spinner Comparison
Capacity & Dimensions
The most important difference is size. The Small Oxo Salad Spinner holds about 3-4 quarts, perfect for a couple of chicken Caesar side salads or washing a pint of berries. Its roughly 8-inch diameter means it can be tucked away without much fuss. The Large Oxo Salad Spinner boasts a 5-6 quart capacity, easily handling a whole head of romaine or a large bunch of kale for a week's worth of lunches. However, at over 10 inches wide, it’s a sizable kitchen tool that demands dedicated cabinet real estate.
Think about your shopping habits. If you buy pre-washed greens in a small box, the small spinner is sufficient. If you buy whole heads of produce from the farmer's market, the large spinner will save you a lot of time.
Ease of Use & Storage
Both models feature Oxo’s signature pump, which is comfortable and requires minimal effort. Functionally, they operate identically. The main difference in handling comes from their physical size. The small spinner is lightweight and easy to carry, wash, and put away. The large spinner, while just as simple to operate, is bulkier. It can be awkward to wash in a small sink and requires a plan for storage - it typically won't fit in a standard kitchen drawer.
Price & Value
The Oxo Salad Spinners are not far apart in price, you can usually expect to pay only about $5 to $10 more for the large model. Because the price difference is minimal, the better value depends entirely on your needs. For a single person, the small version offers perfect functionality without wasted space. For a family of four, the large model provides immense value by saving time and effort on a weekly basis, easily justifying the small additional cost.
Who Each One Works Best For
The Small Salad Spinner is the clear choice for individuals, couples, or anyone with a tiny kitchen where every inch of cabinet space is precious. It handles daily side salads and herb washing perfectly. If your salad-making is more occasional than regular, the smaller size is more practical.
The Large Salad Spinner is built for families of three or more, avid meal preppers, and people who love to entertain. If you wash lettuce more than twice a week or find yourself preparing food in batches, the larger capacity will be a welcome convenience. If you have the storage space available, many find the large model to be the more versatile option for just a few dollars more.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both Oxo models are excellent kitchen tools, but they serve different needs and kitchen sizes.
Choose the Small Oxo Salad Spinner if:
- You live alone or as a couple.
- You have very limited kitchen cabinet or counter space.
- You typically only wash enough greens for 1-2 servings at a time.
- You need a tool primarily for washing small bunches of herbs or berries.
Choose the Large Oxo Salad Spinner if:
- You have a family of three or more.
- You meal prep salads or wash greens for the entire week.
- You frequently host dinner parties and need to make large salads.
- You have ample cabinet space and prioritize capacity over a compact footprint.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the main difference between the small and large Oxo spinners?
The main difference is capacity and physical size. The large spinner holds about 5-6 quarts of greens, while the small one holds around 3-4 quarts. This also means the large spinner takes up significantly more storage space.
How many servings of salad can each size make?
The small spinner can comfortably prepare enough salad for one or two main courses or two to three side salads. The large spinner can handle enough greens for four to five main-course salads or feed a crowd as a side dish.
Are the Oxo Salad Spinner parts dishwasher safe?
Yes, all components of both the small and large salad spinners are top-rack dishwasher safe, which makes for very easy cleanup.
Can the bowl be used for serving salad?
Absolutely. The clear outer bowl is designed to double as a stylish serving bowl, so you can prep and serve all in one dish.
Besides lettuce, what else can I use the spinners for?
They are incredibly versatile. Use them to wash and dry herbs, berries, or grapes. You can also use them to remove excess water from canned beans, spin-dry shredded potatoes for hash browns, or even dry hand-washed delicates in a pinch.
Is the pump mechanism difficult to press?
No, the pump is one of Oxo's most famous ergonomic designs. It's soft, non-slip, and easy to press with one hand, making it accessible for people of all ages and abilities.
Will the baskets from the small and large spinners fit into each other?
No, the small and large parts are not interchangeable. Each component is sized specifically for its corresponding model.
Is the plastic BPA-free?
Yes, both Small and Large Oxo Salad Spinners are made from BPA-free plastic for safe food preparation.
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