I am reasonably certain you are refrring to a skimmer. The thing some people call a spider (I don’t—it skeeves me out) is a type of a skimmer. (12 replies, last updated by Liz December 13, 2005)

and lower them into the oil. Don’t pack the plantain shreds too tightly; the fritters should look spiky and lacy. Fry the spiders, turning with a skimmer or a slotted spoon, until golden brown, about 2 minutes total. Work... (3 replies, last updated by Cristina July 30, 2004)

. Just get one of those pasta forks to lift the pasta out, and a skimmer or spider to remove other shapes of pasta from the water, or just drain the water into a colander. It does take up too much space, and it really isn’t... (6 replies, last updated by Kelli2006 May 20, 2008)

I think this is it. http://www.recipetips.com/glossary-term/t—38514/spider-skimmer.asp (131 replies, last updated by lemons December 8, 2008)

tries to escape the hot oil environment. When the bubbling has pretty much stopped and the potatoes are slightly limp, remove them to a rack (use a spider) beneath which you’ve placed absorbent paper and allow them to cool.... (11 replies, last updated by kchurchill5 February 21, 2009)

These kinds of questions are so tough for me – I love everything in my kitchen, from my knives, spoons, spatulas, spiders and bench scrapers to my stand mixer and food processor, from my very cool collection of vintage... (46 replies, last updated by KaimukiMan February 13, 2009)