Dish Racks

Dish racks come in a variety of styles and materials—rubber, plastic, stainless steel, wire, wrought iron, even wood—and can help divide plates to promote faster drying times, or come with places to store silverware and glasses. You can find them at kitchen and household stores, as well as online, for under $10 or up to $100 for decorated models. Companies that sell dish racks include Polder, SimpleHuman, Casabella, and InterDesign. Dish racks usually include draining boards and silverware holders. Some models, such as the Casabella, even include a double-decker version to prevent dishes from being stacked on top of each other.

Sizes and Models

Sizes and models vary. Choose a dish rack that fits the surface area next to the sink, not taking up too much room, and able to handle enough dishes or glasses for up to two people. Folding dish racks are a good choice for people with limited counter space; these models frequently do not include certain features, but can be folded and stowed away between uses. If you do not have an automatic washer, you will need an even bigger dish rack that can handle a full load. Some dish racks are designed to fit over a sink and come with no draining board.

Care Instructions

Because dish racks often catch dirty water, it's important to clean these racks by frequently scrubbing them down with hot water and detergent. The rubber models lend themselves to this, but wire models tend to be even easier because the water doesn't pool in the dish rack. As dish racks age, because they are so cheap, it's best to replace them more frequently and avoid putting dishes and glasses on a dirty dish rack. To avoid breakage, care must also be taken when putting wine glasses or other delicate glass or china into the dish rack.