Food52's Over-the-Sink Dish Drying Rack Gives Precious Space Back in the Kitchen

Before purchasing the Five Two Over-the-Sink Dish Drying Rack by Food52 in early 2020, I had a drying rack on the side of the sink that was too small and a little gross. The other half of my double sink without the disposal often went unused until this well-designed rack came into the picture. Even with a dishwasher that we used regularly (often a luxury in many big-city apartments), having a drying rack for my favorite ceramic pieces and other hand-wash-only pieces always felt like a necessity.

Now, I have a place to dry dishes that makes sense and looks great. It comes in three colors, but slate blue was the right choice for my cool-toned kitchen. It’s minimal in design, but incredibly durable because of the stainless steel rods coated in silicone, and can hold up to 50 pounds for even the heaviest of casserole dishes and cast iron pans. 

In case you have too many items that need to dry and not enough room on the rack, I sometimes place larger pots or pans underneath the rack directly in the sink with other items on top to maximize my space even further. And if you’re running out of room when preparing a large holiday meal, this can act as a trivet for hot items up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit. 

If you’re experiencing water marks or soap stains, the rack cleans up nicely after a bath in soapy water, but can also be tossed in the dishwasher for a spin. Pop out the perforated caddy (which has two sections to dry straws, silverware, and other utensils), and then place the clean rack on your counter to act as a cooling rack for cookies and other freshly made baked goods. 

Beyond the basic function of drying dishes is one of my favorite uses: a platform for watering my plants. Having drainage holes on the bottom of your pots can ensure your plants aren’t overwatered, especially if you’re just starting your plant parenthood journey, but using the drying rack has made it even easier for me. My plants take turns in groups of two or three getting placed on the drying rack each week to enjoy a good soak of water. All of the excess water drains mess-free into the sink below, before the plants are returned to their homes around my apartment.

Another favorite way of mine to utilize this rack is by washing produce in bulk after a trip to my local farmers market. Using the sink sprayer, your fruits and veggies can wash and dry in the same spot before heading into the fridge.

I keep mine out at all times since it’s used everyday, but it can easily roll up to be stored in case you need access to your second sink. I love how easy it is to use, and that it looks great while serving multiple functions.

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Jacqueline Weiss is a blogger and writer, passionate about making healthy eating and cooking accessible to all. When she's not writing, you'll find her trying new vegan eateries in Los Angeles, hunting for the best matcha latte, or experimenting in the kitchen.