Better Homes And Gardens Dish Drying Rack

Of all the places in the home, the kitchen is probably the one that houses the most necessary gadgets. From microwaves to coffeemakers, stand mixers to pasta machines, there is no shortage of items vying for valuable counter space in the heart of the home. Which is why, in all my years on this earth, I have never been able to fathom the existence of one particular kitchen item: the drying rack.

Before you jump down my throat, let me be clear about one thing: I say this not as some out-of-touch owner of a top-of-the-line dishwasher with drying capabilities, but as an entertaining enthusiast who has spent half my life in a home where hand-washing is the only option. And still, never would I ever waste valuable space and money on a clunky device whose sole purpose seems to be taking up counter space and collecting mildew.

First, let us consider the drying rack's function. It's a place where, in your already usually damp or heated kitchen, you place wet items to slowly drip over time. And yes, I know some of today's best models of drying racks are designed to prevent mold and mildew, but the reality is, if you're leaving bowls to slowly drip onto any surface, it's going to get mildewy at some point. Case in point: One helpful article in SFGate advises that the only way to prevent mold from on your drying rack is by "wiping the rack dry as soon as possible." Which, you know, kind of defeats the purpose of the entire leaving-something-there-to-dry thing.

White ceramic dinner plate on wooden drainig board

Top image: a mold trap. Above: a mold trap in wood.

Creative Crop Getty Images

If you're willing to overlook your drying rack's certain mold problem, just think about what else you could be doing with the counter space in its footprint: How about a juicer, to make your own $8 breakfast concoctions? A fruit bowl to artfully store the makings of said juices? A smart home device to inspire new recipes? An herb garden for fresh ingredients? A vase of flowers to make you happier? Hell, stick your kid up there to watch you cook! Literally anything is a better use of space than the folding mold trap.

In closing, I ask you to consider the humble kitchen towel. Unlike its dirty counterpart, it takes up literally no counter space (hang in on the oven door! On a hook on the wall! Fold it up in a drawer!), will dry your dishes with just a few flicks of the wrist (even you can muster that much), and doesn't wind up smelling like mildew. Oh, and it's a whole lot cuter than any drying rack I've seen. I rest my case.

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Hadley Keller Digital Director Hadley Keller is a writer and editor based in New York, covering design, interiors, and culture.

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