The prongs offer flexibility for holding everything from standard dishes to oddly-shaped objects, and in testing, they held a lot of items without too much wobbling. Modern and sleek, this would look great in any kitchen. It’s not the cheapest item on our list, but it’s well worth the money. Dish mats are great because they take up very little space and can be rolled up or placed inside a kitchen drawer when not in use.

I spend a lot of my time cooking and baking so I’m often standing at the kitchen sink, staring down a pile of pots, pans, and other kitchen tools that need to be hand-washed. To add to it, our dishwasher doesn’t thoroughly dry everything. Until recently, I made do by drying dishes on towels on the counter. Pots would be teetering on top of one another and knives hidden behind a large colander. I'd look at the stretch of counter next to the sink and hope that it all didn’t tumble to the ground. Not only was it not safe, my dishes didn’t actually dry. The towels ended up too damp to dry the side of the utensil it laid on and the inside of pots didn't get any air circulation. Rubber or plastic may stain or require occasional washing. They also won’t look as sleek, and cheaper plastics may deteriorate over time. Stainless steel holds up well and can resist rust, but isn’t impervious to it. You can find wood or bamboo options, as well, and while they have advantages, they’re also susceptible to mold. More Articles You Might EnjoySize: 57 x 51 x 29cm | Material: Stainless steel and plastic | Adjustable: No What Mumsnet users say The subtly angled design encourages the water that drains from your dishes to flow where you want it and not make a mess on your counter. When it’s not in use, the spout snaps closed, preventing any remaining drips from escaping. Two movable utensil holders provide the perfect place to dry your knives, forks, and spoons. Its circular crown design is multifunctional. You can position large baking sheets or cutting boards across it, and you can use the spokes as holders for inverted glasses and mugs. The author of this roundup, Joy Manning, is a food writer and recipe developer. Her work has appeared in many publications including The Philadelphia Inquirer and The Washington Post. She’s the author of " Almost Meatless" and " Stuff Every Cook Should Know."

The downside is that it could look cluttered in small kitchens, especially when fully loaded. It's a great option for large families though, and we love the utensil containers placed on high tiers, away from mischievous hands looking to explore dangerous and sharp kitchen items. This post is part of our ' This Is Fire' series, where our editors and writers tell you about the products they can't live without in the kitchen. Cheap to buy, these mats are also a great option as a second dish drainer (particularly for glassware) to hold excess items. Also consider: Do you want something that is ready to use, or are you willing to spend a little time assembling? In general, simpler is better. You don’t want pieces falling off, especially if you have small pets or young children who may put them in their mouths. Draining and Storage It has a drip tray with an integrated plug, allowing water to be collected during washing up and it features a generous utensil container as well as soft covered non-scratch 'spikes' to securely hold plates, bowls and glasses without damaging them.Mumsnet has been helping parents make their lives easier since 2000 and, in those years, we’ve seen, tried and reviewed thousands of products. Simplehuman is a brand with a renowned reputation for both design and style — as long as you’re willing to foot the bill! This multifunctional piece of kitchen gear unfurls over your sink when you need a place for hand-washed dishes to air dry and then rolls up for easy storage. It’s made with stainless steel, which makes it sturdy enough to hold even your heaviest pots and pans. It also creates space for drip-drying your delicate china, ceramic, and porcelain items.