One time I was working at a grocery store, I heard a child ask their parent, “what’s this?”. The parent replied, “that’s what rich people dry their lettuce in.” That line has stuck with me. I guess it reflects people’s complexity. If they subsist on a diet of chicken and potatoes, for example, a salad spinner might seem to them like a luxury kitchen item.

I am not rich, however, and I eat salad about 5 times a week, because I enjoy salad. My $25 salad spinner has lasted over 5 years. Plus, I use the colander part of the salad spinner as my all-purpose colander in the kitchen. So, to me, the idea that salad spinners are for rich people has always been pretty funny. (As if it’s a bidet or something.)

I bulk prep lettuce to the point that I can throw it in salads as is or with a little extra hand-shredding. So, I wash it after cutting it. Spin it. Use paper towel to absorb the excess water. Throw it in a reusable food container. And that’s like a week of salad base for me. 1 head of lettuce. I don’t love using paper towel, but I don’t see a way around it

Salad spinner is like ‘rice cooker’ level of kitchen utility imo and inexpensive.