Goodbye Bulky Dish Rack, Hello Counter Space — This Is The Drying Solution Your Kitchen Needs

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I used to get into little tiffs with roommates in an old apartment about the dish drying rack and draining tray. Did we really need them? Do they have to be out all the time? Countertop space was limited in our tiny place, with almost half of it taken up by a giant dish rack, usually overladen with wet dishes. It wasn't very appealing to look at. This was years ago, but today, a new era of organized air drying is here: Enter the over-the-sink dish drying rack.

This type of novel dish drying rack is usually an adjustable one-, two-, or three-level rust-proof metal shelf that fits above your kitchen sink. A key benefit? They allow water to fall directly into the sink — no bacteria-collecting draining board, dish mat, or possibly disgusting kitchen towel required. Look for ones equipped with stainless steel wire racks, utensil bins, and wall-mounting capability or suction cups to keep them stable and secured.

Sure, the drying rack clears up the surface area on your countertops by using vertical space, making room for food prep or kitchen gadgets, but the over-the-sink dish racks solve other problems as well. For one, it doubles as storage. When you leave your washed plates and bowls on the rack, it is the opposite of clutter; it is a convenient, time-saving organizing tactic. These types of dish racks are typically made to support the weight of the dishes, but you'll have to confirm how many pounds your over-the-sink dish rack can bear.

When you're not using the drying rack, you can use it to conveniently drain vegetables and fruits, eliminating the need to bring out the colander. If you're creative, you can find other uses for it, such as cooling baked foods like cake, which means you don't have to place a massive cooling rack on your countertops. If you use the drying rack for food, give it a good clean after. All in all, the over-the-sink dish racks prove that crucial kitchenware doesn't have to be an eyesore — it can blend seamlessly into your kitchen and serve multiple purposes.