For fun and easy salad preparation, try the OXO GOOD GRIPS Salad Spinner. Simply press the soft, non-slip knob to start the basket spinning. Easy, one-handed operation makes this Spinner a pleasure to use, and a built-in brake stops the Salad Spinner so you can unload it. A non-slip ring keeps the bowl steady on the countertop, and the basket and bowl can be used separately. Top-rack dishwasher safe

Washing and drying leafy vegetables has never been simpler or more fun than with this gadget. One hand is all you need to press the soft, cushioned knob to start the spinning; when the built-in brake is applied and the job is done, the basket and bowl can be taken apart and used separately. The knob locks down for easy storage, and the spinner is dishwasher-safe. Use this tool with lettuce, raw spinach, broad-leafed herbs, and greens--they end up clean and oh-so-dry, and the drier your leaves, the better salad dressings will adhere and the less mushy your sandwich bread will become. Puddles at the bottom of your salad bowl disappear... Good Grips products are moderately priced and have won the Tylenol/Arthritis Foundation Design Award. --Laurie Notaro