Colanders and SIEVES are both kitchen tools used for straining food. Colanders are large, bowl-shaped objects with holes in them that allow liquid to drain out while keeping the solid food inside. SIEVES are smaller, more shallow objects with a mesh bottom that allows liquid to pass through while keeping the solid food inside. Both colanders and SIEVES are used to separate solids from liquids, such as when draining pasta or rinsing vegetables.