The Best Dish Drying Racks for Keeping Your Dishes Tidy

Dish drying racks are an incredibly popular kitchen accessory, and it’s not hard to see why. In fact, when I moved into my new apartment, one of the first things I picked up was a dish drying rack and I definitely don’t regret it. The combination of cost-effectiveness, convenience, and clutter reduction can make post-meal cleanup a much less painful experience.

Of course, this has led to the explosion of choices available on the market. And, since many of these racks look similar to each other, it’s important to be very careful while selecting one for your home. Thankfully, our in-depth buying guide is here to simplify the process. From the size of the rack to its material, we’ll cover everything you should consider to help you get your hands on the perfect product.

Factors To Consider Before Buying a Dish Drying Rack

Material

The rack’s material is one of the most important things you must consider before making a purchase; after all, it will determine how long your rack will last. As plastic racks will break under a bit of pressure, stainless steel and aluminum are usually better options because they are durable and often rust-resistant. Be sure to check whether the drying rack has an anti-rust coating for better longevity.

Storage capacity

Dish drying racks are found in a variety of size options. If you have a large family, you should consider buying a rack with two tiers so all the dishes can be stored easily. On the other hand, compact drying racks with one tier and multiple hooks and cutlery holders will save a ton of space if you have a small kitchen.

Detachable parts

As the drying rack will stay wet most of the time, it is important to clean it properly from time to time. With detachable parts, you can conveniently clean and dry the racks. Also, you can store them separately when not in use to make sure that they don’t occupy unnecessary space. 

Feet

The dish drying rack’s feet must also be taken into consideration. Racks with rubber feet make it safer for use on expensive countertops, as metal feet are likely to scratch the counter. Plus, rubber offers stability to the rack and prevents wobbling. In some products, you’ll even find H-shaped feet frames that can handle a huge amount of weight from multiple dishes. 

Drainboard

The board that catches the dripping water from utensils is called the drainboard. Most come with an opening at one side or a channel to drain water and make your work easier because it drains automatically. In the absence of such channels, you have to remove the board and then drain the accumulated water yourself.

How to Prevent Rust on Your Dish Drying Rack

Dish drying racks often have a special coating that resists rust and corrosion. To further add to your rack’s longevity, you can clean it weekly or monthly depending on how frequently you use it or how quickly water stains build up. Here are the steps to take to clean your dish drying rack:

• Fill a bathtub or a container big enough to submerge the rack with hot water.
• Pour some vinegar into the water.
• Soak the rack for a while and then scrub the dirtiest parts.
• Now rinse the rack and let it air dry.
• If the rack is made of metal, you should clean it with an absorbent cloth to reduce the chances of rusting.

Most dish drying racks nowadays come with powder coating that will prevent the formation of rust for years. But if you want to slow down the rusting process further, you can apply these tricks to make sure that the rack can last up to a long time. 

How To Store Utensils in Dish Drying Racks

In most dish drying racks, the drainboard that comes with it is detachable. This gives you the option to store the dried items in the rack until you make space for new dishes. Additionally, features like detachable cutlery holders with organization compartments and hooks for holding mugs make it easier to store your utensils with ease. That said, make sure that you drain water that has accumulated in the drainboard after the dishes have dried. Otherwise, the pooled water can attract germs and bacteria that will further contaminate your kitchenware. 

How Frequently You Should Clean Your Drainboard

The drainboard catches all the dripping water and either trickle it down to the sink or stores it until you empty it. In drainboards with no opening or channels to drain the water, mold and mildew can grow when they are not cleaned properly. The sides of the board become slimy with a buildup of mold, and it makes the whole dish drying rack unsanitary and unhygienic to use. To prevent this, you have to spot-clean the drainboard at least once every two or three weeks. As most drainboards are made of plastic, it is recommended not to submerge them into scalding hot water as you can with metal racks. Instead, you should use normal water with 1/4 cup of bleach and a bit of detergent to clean the board.