Everyone experiences this. So, you wash your lettuce, throw it in a bowl, and then you’re stuck with this sad, watery salad where the dressing just won’t stick to the wet leaves.
For years, people have reached for the Salad Spinner. “Yeah, it gets the job done, but it’s seriously the size of a basketball, and there goes half your cabinet space.”
Here’s the Salad Sling.
Everybody’s talking about this gadget on social media; it’s just a microfiber towel with handles, but it’s gone absolutely viral. You can dry your greens in a snap, just using your own arm strength and a bit of spin.
Is swinging a bag of wet kale around your kitchen really something you’d do, or is it just a silly idea?
We tried out the extremely popular Salad Sling vs. the traditional Salad Spinner to figure out which one belongs in your kitchen.
What Exactly is a Salad Sling?
Ever wonder what a “salad sling” is? It’s basically a fancy term for a big, absorbent fabric that you use to dry your greens after washing them. You might have already seen it on TikTok, but the Salad Sling is surprisingly simple. It’s like a waterproof bag, but on the inside, it’s all soft, really absorbent microfiber.
The Concept:
- So, the idea is you just put your wet greens right in the middle.
- You grab the handles.
- Just give it a good whirl in a big circle, kinda like a cowboy twirling a lasso, for about 10 to 15 seconds.
The spinning motion just throws the water right off the leaves and into the towel. It’s got no gears, no plastic bowls, and no noise.
Round 1: Storage Space
Winner: Salad Sling (By a Mile)
The clear winner here is the Salad Sling. It’s really the whole point of why it was made.
- The Spinner: Even the “collapsible” ones are clunky. If you’re living in a tiny apartment or a van, a salad spinner is probably too much of a space hog to keep around.
- The Sling: It actually folds up smaller than a dish towel. Stick it in a drawer, hang it on a hook, or just chuck it into a picnic bag. If you’re into minimalism, this is the clear winner.
Round 2: Drying Power
Winner: Salad Spinner (Barely)
Okay, for the second round of drying power, the salad spinner won out, but just barely.
- The Spinner: The spinning action really gives you that consistent, mechanical drying. It doesn’t matter how fast or slow you spin it, the way the basket is made means all the water goes right into the outer bowl. It takes it easy on tender herbs.
- The Sling: Yeah, it actually works pretty good, but you gotta know how to use it right. You gotta swing it quick. That microfiber really soaks up moisture from the surface, which usually means your greens end up drier than what you’d get from a basic spinner. Note: If you put too much in there, the leaves in the middle could really stay wet.
Round 3: The “Splash Zone” Risk
Winner: Salad Spinner
- The Spinner: It is a closed system. The water stays in the bowl.
- The Sling: While the outer layer is waterproof, user error is real. If you don’t seal it properly or if you swing too wildly, you might fling a rogue piece of spinach across the room. Also, you need clearance. Do not try this in a narrow galley kitchen unless you want to smack your hand against the fridge.
Round 4: Cleanup
Winner: Salad Sling
- The Spinner: It has three parts (bowl, basket, lid mechanism). It fills up the entire top rack of your dishwasher.
- The Sling: Turn it inside out and throw it in the washing machine with your kitchen towels. Done.
The Verdict: Who Needs Which?
So, do you really need to swing your greens?
Buy the Salad Sling If:
- You have a tiny kitchen: Storage space is your #1 concern.
- You hate washing dishes: Throwing a towel in the laundry is easier than scrubbing a plastic bowl.
- You want dry greens fast: It is legitimately faster than setting up a spinner.
Stick to the Salad Spinner If:
- You have a large family: You need to prep 2 heads of lettuce at once.
- You have mobility issues: Swinging your arm in a circle requires shoulder mobility that a pump-action spinner does not.
The Final Word: The Salad Sling is not a gimmick; it is a legitimate space-saving tool. If you can handle the “lasso” motion without hitting your cat, it’s the best upgrade for a small kitchen.
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