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Rösle Wire Skimmer
A bad skimmer can turn even the most patient cook into a basket case.
When we’re deep-frying, blanching, or boiling, we use a spider skimmer—a long-handled stainless-steel wire basket—to remove food from the pot. Spiders have larger capacities than slotted spoons and more open area for faster, safer drainage. There are two basic spider basket designs; the traditional design is made from thin wire mesh, and the more modern style has a spiral (or concentric circles) of smooth, slightly thicker wire.
Rösle Wire Skimmer
WINNER - RECOMMENDED
With a basket made from a single smooth spiral of thick wire, this beautiful, long-handled, well-balanced spider was easy to maneuver and clean and capable of handling fragile ravioli with care. But that elegance came at a price—the highest in our lineup. And while some cooks thought its lower profile allowed them to get up under food more easily, the shallow basket simply couldn’t hold fried chicken as securely or pick up as many fries or ravioli in a single pass.
We maintain strict objectivity in all testing.*
BASKET ★½
SAFETY ★★
CLEANUP ★★★
COMFORT★★½
FOOD HANDLING ★★½
KEY: GOOD ★★★ FAIR ★★ POOR ★
DETAILS
Material: Stainless steel
Grip Length: 4.75 in
Basket Depth: 0.75 in
Handle Length: 11 in
Basket Diameter: 4.75 in
Item Number: ATKRWS
Item Weight: 1 oz
SHIPPING
How We Tested Spider Skimmers
To find the best spider, we tested six models—three of each basket style, priced from $11.99 to $41.68—while boiling ravioli and deep-frying French fries and chicken pieces. All of the spiders functioned adequately, but certain factors made some safer, quicker, and more comfortable to use. In general, we preferred spiders with longer handles (for more protection from boiling water and hot oil) and larger grips (which were more comfortable for users of varying hand sizes). While testers had a slight preference for lighter spiders, balance was more important than total weight—models that felt basket-heavy were awkward and less comfortable to use, seeming heavier than they really were.
Winning Traits
- Well balanced
- Long handle
- Moderately deep basket
- Rubbery, easy-to-hold grip
* OBJECTIVITY FIRST, LAST, AND ALWAYS.
America’s Test Kitchen does not accept advertising and conducts equipment tests without the knowledge of product manufacturers. Exclusive equipment offers are sourced only after the test results have been published in our magazines and on our websites.