Benefits of a salad spinner?

[Gittel]

Hi, Rawbies! What are the benefits of a salad spinner--except of course, dry greens. But are dry greens necessary, since my family eats the salad right away (or the greens go into a GS)? Perhaps the greens ought to be dry if washed and then refrigerated for later use? I just don't know if this is a product i "need."

Gittel

[sport]

I was my greens in tap water and I feel that the less of that stuff that is left in my salad the better so I would not be without my spinner. I also think that dry greens make a better looking salad.

[oceanee]

I just used mine today to clean some gritty kale from my local organic market. You could wash and dry with cotton kitchen towels but a good salad spinner helps.
Oceanee

[Coonlie]

I've found that the dressing gets too watery if the greens aren't dried. However, when I was shopping for a salad spinner, I happened to meet a friend at the store and when she found out what I was looking for, she gave me a great tip. If you have a mesh bag, just wash your greens and put them in the mesh bag. Then toss the bag into your washing machine and run the spin cycle. Your greens will get nicely dried and you don't have to buy another gadget or find a place to store it. Works like a charm! :)

[Gittel]

Coonlie, what an interesting idea! Do you do this? The washing machine isn't too "rough" on the greens?

Sport, good point about the tap water.

Oceanee, what does it mean, "good salad spinner"? What are the qualities to look for?

Thanks, Raw Friends!
Gittel

[walnutty]

If you have a mesh bag, just wash your greens and put them in the mesh bag. Then toss the bag into your washing machine and run the spin cycle. Your greens will get nicely dried and you don't have to buy another gadget or find a place to store it.

Put food in the washing machine to dry??? The same washing machine that you put your dirty clothing?

I'm sorry but that is just gross! A salad spinner costs what $20.00? Using the washing machine to dry greens costs money and also adds to your carbon footprint. I just don't understand this logic...sorry....:(

[juliebove]

You need dry greens to get the dressing to stick. Now I don't eat dressing so I don't mind a little wetness on my greens. I got rid of my salad spinner. Took up too much room for so little use. I just wash, shake my greens over the sink, then if they're still too wet, I pat them with a paper towel.

[Lady Green Jeans]

I bought a great salad spinner with the push knob on top. Does a great job. Do not like soggy or wet greens in my salad--the dressing does not stick and the extra water results in a sogged-out tasting salad.

Sorry, but also in agreement about not using the wash machine. The paper towel idea does work, but personally I do not wish to add to the landfill using more paper towels than I already do.

[Coonlie]

Yes, Gittel, I've done it for years. It is not too rough on the greens, if you use a regular or delicate cycle for the spin. The idea seemed wierd to me at first too, but since doing it for a long time, it doesn't seem gross anymore. I mean my dirty laundry gets washed clean by soap and the machine is rinsed after the dirt and soap goes out, right? Since I only use the spin cycle, I'm not using any water in the machine. Works for me! ;)

[blaqberry]

We have this type (http://www.zylissusa.com/Products.asp?CategoryID=9#Category32) and love it, love it, LOVE it. They have two sizes available...

Before we finally purchased a spinner, shaking away the excess water and then using clean dish towels to dab leafies dry was how we did it. The spinner makes everything so much easier and less time consuming, plus it's great for small things like fresh herbs for mincing. Mincing wet or even damp herbs...messy. The one we have spins like mad but is very gentle on the leafies - no more bruising my fresh basil leaves! :)