It is said that “I’ll wash the dishes” is the equivalent of “I love you” in any relationship. It usually takes about an hour because dishes always come in huge packs and drying them might also prove a real challenge. That is why you need an over sink dish rack.
It’s true, a dishwasher usually saves you all this trouble. Washed, dried, job is done and you’re not even there. Nevertheless, a dishwasher does not always solve that problem. What if you have to wash them ASAP? Or what if you don’t have where to store them? Or what if you don’t have a dishwasher, right? So, yes, an over the sink dish rack is a must-have for some of you.
Now, which one to buy? Is it such a thing as a best-buy guide for over sink dish drying racks? Well, now there is, and to be honest, it was easier writing this than actually washing the dishes.
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The Best Over Sink Dish Rack Review: Is It Real?
It doesn’t take much dishwashing to realize you don’t really like this chore. It didn’t take us much research to realize there is no such thing as the best over sink dish drying rack EVER.
No, there are certain things to take into consideration, certain “configurations” so to speak. Nevertheless, let’s get down to business and highlight 5 top-rated over the sink dish drying racks out there, together with their quirks and features.
1. Boosiny 2 Tier Dish Drying Rack (best overall)
This over sink dish rack from Boosiny Store features a 2-layered expandable design, and it’s a little on the expensive side of things.
Main features
- Can hold 100lbs.
- Non-slip, stable
- Expandable and adjustable design
- Made of heavy-duty stainless steel
- Premium piano black finish
- Suitable for a 27.56 – 33.47 inch sink; faucet height < 16.93 inches
It looks like it can accommodate almost any kitchen items, from plates to pans, or pots. Moreover, it should fit in almost any kitchen, for it is adjustable and scalable.
Although the dish rack is made of the old, reliable stainless steel material, it is covered in a piano black finish which gives it a more premium overall look. Yes, it looks more expensive than the average, and it is, as you can see.
The manufacturer claims the rack is also rust-resistant and durable, so you can have it for the long-term. The rack is held in place nicely by a pair of 4 suction cups, and you can put up to 110 lbs. worth-of-dishes on it.
The dish rack needs basic installation, and you are provided with a hex key and wrench for that. All in all, it looks like a pretty solid, good-looking, and reliable over sink dish drying rack that you can purchase.
Reasons to Buy
- Sturdy and durable design
- High drying capacity
- Adjustable and expandable design; you can even choose the heights of the two shelves when you assembly them
- Good-looking, piano black finish
- It features 4 suction cups that keep it from sliding around
Your Possible Dislikes
- It might seem a little too tall for some people
- Adjusting the width of the shelves might prove difficult
- It might get messy with your dishes draining all over the faucet and the sink deck
2. Tsmine Dish Rack (best adjustable model)
This dish drying rack is a little less expensive than the previous one, and a little less spacious as well. It features only one shelf with various other additional storage spaces for all sorts of kitchen utensils, like knives, cutlery, even chopsticks.
Main features:
- U-shaped structure for more stability
- Rust-proof stainless steel material
- Adjustable size
- Clean and Breathable design
- It can hold 60 Pounds
- Multi-functional racks
- Anti-slip suction cups
The rack is made of stainless steel that can resist scratches and rust, and it features a U-shaped design that can keep it sturdy, on its feet. It can hold up to 60 pounds of dishes, and it also comes with suction cups at the bottom for better stability.
Overall, you’ve got a dish rack and a plate rack. Then there’s a square basket where you can keep your washing utilities, like sponges and detergent. Knives have a special place in a knife rack, and there’s also a chopsticks cage. You get 7 utility hooks to hang any other utensils, and a chopping board and pot cover holder.
It looks pretty decent for a normal household. Remember to always check the dimensions details provided by the manufacturer.
Reasons to Buy
- Durable, rust-resistant stainless steel material
- All baskets, the holders, and hooks can be arranged the way you want
- Expandable design
Your Possible Dislikes
- At its height, the utensils you hang on the hooks might be hanging too low
- The dish rack might prove to have too rare wires to hold little dessert plates
3. ADBIU Over Sink Dish Rack (best budget for multifunctions)
That space above the sink has a huge potential to help you save some space in the kitchen, and this is basically what all these over sink drying racks are trying to achieve.
Main features:
- 1 framework
- 1 bowl rack
- 1 knife holder
- 1 fruit and vegetable basket
- 1 chopping board rack
- 1 square basket for detergent
- 1 cutlery holder
- 5 hooks
- It can hold up to 50 Kilograms
- Stainless steel with black baking finish
- Rust-resistant
The next project on our list is a fairly less costly rack that, from a first glance, looks almost the same as the previous product.
In reality, it covers an area of about 32.6 ”x 10.6”, with three separate baskets, 1 knife holder, 1 chopping board rack you could also use as a pot cover holder as well, a cutlery cage, and one square basket you could use to store various other utensils.
Its construction allows for easy adjustments of its position by preference. It can hold about 50 Kilograms of weight, or at least that’s what the manufacturer claims. Overall, it could look rather dashing on your kitchen counter. To sum it up, here are the main features, pros, and cons.
Reasons to Buy
- Non-slip sturdiness thanks to four suction cups
- You can arrange the racks to your liking
- Solid and reliable design that should last for a while
- It fits 12 full-size plates nicely
Your Possible Dislikes
- The cutlery box might prove too little
- The knife rack might also prove too narrow for some knives
4. Ace Teah Over The Sink Dish Drying Rack (Okay with higher faucets)
The best thing about over sink dish drying racks is that they come in many forms, sizes, colors, you name it. Nevertheless, this could be a gift and a curse. Which one to choose, right?
Main features
- Movable hooks
- Reinforcement crossbars
- Holder for knives and forks
- Cutting board holder
- Basket to store handwash
- It can hold up to 42 lb.
- Rustproof 201 stainless steel material
We’ll worry about that later. Now, let’s take a look at another fine example of a dish drying rack and what it offers. It comes from a brand called Ace Teah. We’ll not dwell on the brand, let’s look at the product.
It’s got some decent storage for dishes, standard holders for knives and forks. In addition to that, you get some movable hooks, some reinforcement crossbars to make sure it’s not flimsy when filled with dishes.
The framework is sustained by four bend feet that can bear up to 42 lbs of weight. Moreover, they’ve got some non-slip, adjustable rubber ”shoes” to keep things steady.
The rack is made of premium 201 stainless steel which promises some heavy-duty resilience. The rack will fit a 31.5 inch-or-less sink, with a 16.5 inch-or-less faucet. Just make sure the dimensions are right based on the description provided by the manufacturer. To sum up this product…
Reasons to Buy
- Easy to clean
- It takes out minimal counter space; perfect for small kitchens
- Adjustable racks
- Solid design
Your Possible Dislikes
- Assembling it might cause frustration if you’re not into DIY; the assembly instructions are very vague
5. Simple Houseware Over Sink Dish Drainer
Yes, this is a little different from the rest. It is a very simple sink countertop dish drying rack. Nothing fancy, not much storage space, but for some of you, it might be all you need.
Main features
- Made of sturdy steel
- Chrome finish
- It can be used on the countertop or over the sink
- It can fit 8 plates
It is also on the cheap side of things. You can use it either over the sink or on the countertop. It’s got enough space for 8 plates, and some glasses, or silverware. It is made of steel with some Chrome finish.
There is not much to say about this product, only that it is a very simple solution to drying and storing your dishes. If you’re looking for a temporary way out of the ever-growing heap of dishes, until you buy a dishwasher, then this is it.
Reasons to Buy
- It is a rather simple and cheap temporary solution
- Perfect for small kitchens, with little space around the sink
- Sturdy constructions
Your Possible Dislikes
- It cannot hold too many dishes
- It is not a long-term solution; it might rust in time so make sure you assure it proper maintenance
Drying Racks and Rust: A Difficult “Love Affair”
When you happened to buy an over sink dish rack that is not made of stainless steel, it could not stay away from rust. This is why you need to ensure some hygiene measures so that you won’t find yourself with a rusty drying rack on your hands.
Of course, there is always the choice of a plastic dish drying rack that will never rust. Nevertheless, it will crack and bend, and well, it might prove much more of a nuisance than the stainless steel one.
A stainless steel rack will always offer a much higher bearing capacity and resistance, more sturdiness, and an easy-to-clean overall design. This is why we have only considered stainless steel over sink dish drying racks in our review section.
We’ve seen some of the best choices on the market, now it’s time to take a look at some hygiene practices and measures to avoid rusting.
Rustiness happens when the coating on the rack is scratched or scarred. So, here are a few tips and tricks The Lot Dallas has for you to prevent that:
1. Do not just throw your dishes on the rack
We all know that sometimes you just want to get rid of the burden that washing the dishes can be. However, make sure you don’t scratch the rack in your eagerness to get the job done.
2. Place all the pointy utensils in their appropriate baskets
As you have seen, the drying racks come with special holders for the knives, forks, and all the likes. Store them accordingly to avoid any scratches to the coating on the main rack.
3. Clean the rust when it appears
It might take some time, but you can do it using some liquid electrical tape, sandpaper, or a special detergent. When the rust is superficial, it can be cleaned very easily and it won’t damage the rack, or leave unwanted marks on your kitchen counter.
4. The drying rack also needs a proper washing, just like your dishes
Yes, it might prove a nuisance, but make sure you clean your over sink dish drying rack regularly. It will help with the overall hygiene of your dishes and also keep it out of rust’s way.
The Benefits of Having an Over Sink Dish Drying Rack
We were joking a little about having a drying dish rack or a dishwasher, but the truth is, you need both in a kitchen. Dish racks not only allow you to dry the dishes, but they could also serve as a permanent storage place for your dishes.
Besides, dish racks are not that expensive. You have seen it. You can get a decent one for less than $100 or $100 and so if you want premium quality.
Thanks to multiple racks or baskets and hooks, dish racks can help air dry most of your kitchen utensils, bowls, dishes, and so on. Do not forget that moist is the perfect home for pathogens of all sorts, so drying your dishes is mandatory for the sake of a healthy kitchen.
More than that, as we were saying above, you’re not using that space over the sink. It’s the perfect spot to assembly a dish rack.
One thing is sure, by stacking up wet plates you give the bacteria a shot at developing itself nicely in your kitchen. Moreover, the dishes could get a bad smell that might never want to eat from them ever again.
So, every plate, cup, bowl, mug, or fork needs to be dried before using it again. Should you do it with a towel or let them air dry? Which is the best? Which is the most efficient? Which is the healthiest?
Of course, drying them with a towel, one by one, is not an efficient endeavor, that’s for sure. Moreover, a wet towel is a perfect environment for carrying bacteria, and you don’t want that on your dishes. It is ideal to change the towel multiple times to avoid that.
As a result, air-drying your dishes is the fastest and most hassle-free method. As long as you keep your over sink dish drying rack clean, then there are fewer chances of bacteria getting on your dishes and you don’t also have to take each plate one by one and dry it clean yourself.
For some families, this might be some sort of ritual. One member washes the dishes and the other dry them with a towel. We would say another bonding activity and just leave the dishes to air dry on the dry rack.
How Do I Clean the Drying Rack?
This doesn’t sound too fun, does it? Well, you probably know how to do it, but let us give you a few more tips and tricks to make it easier for you.
- To give it a proper wash, you need to pull it out and detach all the baskets and holders from it, so you can wash the parts separately
- Submerge the parts into water with dish soap
- Use a brush to remove any stubborn grimes, but pay attention not to damage the chrome finish
- Let the rack soak for an additional 5-10 minutes
- After you’ve finished washing away the main stains, submerge the parts in water with vinegar let them soak for another 5 minutes or so
- Get them out of the water, dry them with a clean cloth and reinstall them
Best Over Sink Dish Rack – Summing Up
Well, as with anything in life, there are no absolutes here. We cannot say which is the best Dish Drying Rack for you, that is your decision to make. As you have seen, you need one to help air-dry your dishes and keep proper hygiene in the kitchen.
Washing dishes is nobody’s favorite chore, we imagine, but it’s something you have to do, and thus do it properly, with the proper tools. We have chosen to review the best over sink dish drying racks made of stainless steel, and not plastic since we believe these are the most reliable and for long-term use.
As you have seen there are many options to choose from, most of them are adjustable in your kitchen. Nevertheless, make sure you read the dimensions guidelines with great care before making the buying decision.
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