I don’t know about you, but I first felt the weight of being an adult when I moved out of my parent’s place. But like most people, I started with a small apartment with not much room in the kitchen. In my experience, washing dishes was a nightmare because of it, especially if people visit and leave a huge pile of dishes to wash. Don’t get me wrong, I love it when people stop by to chat and catch up and partying it up a little. I just hate the work after. It’s not just the washing but also the drying of the dishes that’s very annoying.
Because I had a small kitchen area (I can barely call it an area at all, it’s more like a corner sink), I started with drying my plates by placing them upside down on the table with a towel. Then, I started investing in a table-top dish rack that more or less gives me a better drying space and provides additional storage for my dishes. But, now, several different types of dish racks are being manufactured and produced that fit the kitchen with small areas or countertops.
For this buying guide I have sought out some of the best drying racks for small spaces there are in the market. If you’d like to check it out yourself through online shops or drive down to your local store for kitchen items, please do so, there are a lot of options out there that would fit your taste. But don’t worry; I’ll give you a list of things to look into when purchasing your dish rack at the end of this article — so do make sure you read it all the way to the end.
Our Top Dish Drying Racks for Small Spaces
Tallying the top dish drying racks out there is a pretty tough task to do. There are many good choices and a lot of options for different kitchen needs. But, alas, I have decided on three dryings racks I believe are the best of the best with different functionality and design.
Ahyuan Roll-Up Dish Drying Rack
Probably the cheapest item on my list and out in the market, and probably the simplest in terms of design yet it is still able to provide a good drying space. What I love about this item is that it is can be rolled up and stowed away when not in use. If you have a small space, this would really go in handy. Plus, you can use it as drainers for your vegetables too.
The material is made up of tough 304 food-grade stainless steel, sturdy enough for your heavy pots and pans, and would last for years without rusting. Anti-slippery food-grade rubbery grips are added on both ends of the pipes to support the rack and make sure it stays in place. When stowing away you only need to wipe it with a clean cloth. No need for a weekly or monthly clean up since the water drips directly to your sink. If you need a place to rest your pots or pan that came from the stove or oven, you can place it on this rack as well since this rack can also resist heat as high as 450oF. It’s really convenient and multifunctional! I love it! Just make sure that you measure your sink first before you purchase this item since it also comes in many sizes for different sinks.
Neat-O Deluxe Chrome-Plated Steel Small Dish Drainers
If you have a little space on your countertop or inside your dish, then you should definitely consider purchasing the Neat-O Deluxe Dish Drainer. It has a sleek and cool black/chrome design which is perfect for most kitchen themes. It would be perfect if you’re the type of person who only has a couple of guests and avoid big gatherings since it can only hold a small number of dishes.
This dish drainer is chrome-plated meaning a thin layer is chromium is added to the material. The layer of chromium provide resistance against corrosion, so this dish drainer should not rust. It also gives the drainer its sleek design and increases the sturdiness of the metal used. It also has a small utensils container that has holes at the bottom for draining. Just make sure that you would check it from time to time to see if all the water has been drained. Sometimes there are little bits of water that’s left on the corners and can start some bacterial growth that you do not want. Also, since you’re only purchasing a rack with nothing to catch the drained water, it’s best to place it on your sink after you have washed your dishes. You can also purchase a mat or a draining board for easy cleanup.
Over Sink G-TING Expandable Dish Drying Rack
If your place has always been the host of family dinners or friend’s dinner party, but you still have a small counter for all the washed dishes, then you probably want to look into this. It’s a little bit on the pricey side but if you are planning on staying for a very long time in your place, then I’d call it a proper investment. The dish drying rack is made of high-quality stainless steel with black piano finish, making it a sleek and functional addition to your kitchen essentials.
It is resistant to rust because it is made of aluminum alloy with an antifouling layer coated with a high-temperature resistant surface. These materials make the drying rack durable and will stay with you for a long time. It is also expandable, making it well matched for any sink that has a width of 27.5 – 33.5 inches. It has an additional non-slip suction cup at the bottom to prevent it from falling and shaking. It can also hold up to 80 pounds of dishes, so capacity was never a question. Here’s what I like most about it. Since it placed above the sink, the drained water would drip directly to the sink, saving you time and energy from cleaning up unwanted water puddles.
What Should I Consider When Purchasing a Dish Drying Rack for My Place?
I do believe that shopping has some therapeutic effect on people. Well, for me that would be so true. So, if you want to look for a dish drying rack and check out your local store that sells kitchen items but don’t know what to look for when purchasing a dish drying rack, here’s a list for you.
Where Would You Place Your Rack?
It is essential that you know the places that you can place your rack. I’m not saying that you should know the specific place beforehand. If you’re like me, it’s most likely you’ll get sidetracked from what you’ll see on the store and probably want to buy everything just to make sure that at least one of the items would fit a place. Yeah. That was money and time-consuming. So here’s what I’m telling you. Know the places you could place your rack. Countertop? In the sink? Or over the sink? Then take note of the area of those places so you have an overview of the next item on the list.
Size
The most essential I might add. Since you have a small place you need a drying rack that would fit just right. Too big and it would just add to the mess, too small and it wouldn’t be able to utilize the small space that you have. It’s best that you have a note on the dimensions in your counter-top or sink area so you would be able to buy the perfect item for your kitchen.
Material
Please stay away from wood. I don’t know what look you’re after for your kitchen but do not use wood. Here’s why: wood tends to absorb moisture when that happens, fungi will definitely grow on it and you don’t want that.
Choose materials like stainless steel or metals that are coated to avoid rust. Plastics can also be an option, however, just make sure that those that you buy doesn’t have harmful chemicals on it. Plastics also fade over time. If you’re not specific with aesthetic then it’s fine.
Draining Boards
This I what I’d like to call the basin at the bottom of the rack, you know, the one that catches the water. If you plan to have a counter-top rack, then you definitely have to consider this. You can opt for a drying basin or have a mat underneath to absorb all the drained water. It would save you time when cleaning up your counter.
Design
Personally, I hate it when something is out of place, whether it’s the color or the aesthetic or the feel of the whole thing. If you are not like that, then good for you, you can easily buy a dish rack without considering this part. But if you’re like me, I’d say it would be an investment to spend a little more for a dish rack that would suit the aesthetic you are going for. Besides, it is yours and it will be stuck with you for a long time. Instead of getting pissed off every day for a misplaced item, buy something that will leave a smile on your face.