Dreamfarm Lestrain – Yellow

Dreamfarm Lestrain – More than a strainer — it scoops, drains, catches drips and helps keep the bench clean.

Chef Ian has been on the lookout for kitchen gadgets that actually work.

Because the truth is, a lot of kitchen tools are a bit same same. They may look useful enough, but often they only do one job, create extra mess, and end up taking up space without really earning their place. That is why the Dreamfarm range stood out straight away.

Dreamfarm is an award-winning Australian design company known for creating clever kitchen tools that solve real cooking problems, and the Lestrain is another smart example of that thinking.

At first glance, it looks like a scoop strainer — but it is the thoughtful details that make it such a winner in the kitchen. Its unique straining head features fine slots that let liquid drain away easily, making it ideal for everything from lifting dumplings out of shallow oil to straining peas, corn or other vegetables straight from the pot.

What really sets it apart is the integrated reservoir, which catches and collects drips before they hit the bench. That means less mess on the counter, fewer puddles while cooking, and less clean-up afterwards — always a welcome bonus.

The large flexible head is designed to scoop right from the bottom of the pan, making it especially handy when lifting delicate food or serving straight from the pot. And the clever curved handle design keeps the head raised up off the bench when you put it down, helping keep your work surface cleaner and more organised as you cook.

This is exactly the sort of tool Chef Ian appreciates — practical, well thought out, and solving those little everyday frustrations that make cooking messier than it needs to be.

Why it makes the cut

• Scoops and strains in one – a genuinely useful multi-tasking kitchen tool
• Catches its own drips – integrated reservoir helps keep benches cleaner
• Fine straining slots – great for dumplings, peas, corn and more
• Large flexible head – ideal for scooping from the bottom of pans
• Head stays off the bench – curved handle helps reduce mess
• Less mess, less clean-up – always a winner in the kitchen
• Smart Australian design – practical details that solve real problems

Why Chef Ian likes it

Because it deals with one of those little kitchen annoyances most tools ignore — the drips.

The Lestrain scoops well, strains properly, keeps itself off the bench, and catches the mess before it spreads. It is smart, practical, and exactly the kind of multi-use tool that earns its place in the drawer.