Salad spinners can save you money by allowing you to buy loose greens, rather than pre-cut, pre-bagged greens. Experts say that the bagging process causes greens to lose flavor and nutrients. With proper care, loose salad greens will stay fresh longer than bagged salad.

Here's what the experts have to say about choosing a salad spinner:

  • You don't need a salad spinner. Although they are handy, you don't need a salad spinner. Martha Stewart Living recommends rinsing greens, rolling them gently in a kitchen towel and spinning them around outdoors, holding both ends of the towel in one hand. You can also use a mesh laundry bag designed for delicates.
  • You can use a spinner for more than just salad. The editors of Cook's Illustrated recommend rinsing fresh berries in a solution of one part white vinegar to three parts water, then spinning the berries in a paper-towel-lined salad spinner. Many salad spinners can do double duty as colanders.
  • Don't overstuff your spinner. It's best to wash lettuce in batches of 4 to 5 cups, rather than filling your spinner to capacity. A full spinner is heavier, harder to spin and less effective at drying greens than one that's half full.
  • Spin greens gently. Although rotating the basket at a high rate of speed may dry greens faster, bruised greens deteriorate more quickly than unblemished leaves.
  • Use a spinner to distribute dressing. Place freshly washed and dried greens in a clean spinner, add dressing and spin. The centrifugal force helps ensure an even coating of dressing.
  • Store greens the right way. If you're going to store greens in a salad spinner set in the refrigerator, gently cover them with a damp paper towel. The humidity will help them stay crisp.
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