Whether it’s your grandmother’s kitchen halfway across the world or your own kitchen in your home, you will find at least one wire rack somewhere. This handy kitchen appliance has been around for generations, yet its simple and minimalist usage never gets old. However, with time and technology, the features of wire racks have only gotten better, and today’s market features wire racks sporting many innovative technologies all designed to make your food just a little bit better. Although it may seem like a small kitchen accessory, wire racks are more important than you think. They come in handy in almost all types of kitchen activities, from baking to boiling to even cooling. So even if you feel like you don’t need it, it is never too late to upgrade your wire racks. To help you out in making this purchase a smooth one, we have prepared this buying guide outlining the many features you should be on the lookout for.
Sizing in Wire Racks
Up until a few years ago, standard sizing was followed in most ovens across the world. Now, that is no longer the case, with ovens themselves being of different designs and types, each with its own dimensions. That’s why it is very important to be aware of sizing when purchasing your wire rack. If it doesn’t fit in your oven, then it will just be a waste of money. The standard size in wire racks is 16 ½ inches by 12 inches. This is the size that will fit into a standard-size half-baking sheet. If you want to use your wire rack to rest meat or fried foods, then it is best to match your wire rack with your existing baking sheet so that you know they can be used together.
Which Material is Best
When shopping for wire racks, you may notice many products boasting that their material is superior to other options on the market. Most wire racks claim to be made of stainless steel, and therefore less prone to rust and corrosion. However this is not always the case, so you need to be careful when making a final purchase. Stainless steel is in fact less prone to wearing down, but only genuine 100% stainless steel is. Sometimes, products are advertised as stainless steel but they only have a light coating. Such wire racks still hold the risk of getting rust in your food. Other options are aluminum wire racks, which is what most professional chefs around the world prefer due to how it conducts heat evenly. Nonstick varieties of wire racks are also widely available on the market but do check that the plating is durable and long-lasting.
The Importance of Design
Design and aesthetics may seem trivial when it comes to kitchen accessories that are inherently used to make a mess, but you will be surprised at how much of a difference the design of a wire rack has in its functionality. There are a few design features that stand out when it comes to wire racks. One feature is whether the wires form a grid design or are parallel bars straight across. This may seem like a very small change to look out for, but it has been seen many times that a grid design is much more versatile. The closer the grid spaces are to each other, the more stable and even the weight of the food will be distributed. There are also fewer chances of thinner items like cookies falling through the cracks and making a mess like parallel-line wire racks. For support and overall ease of use, grid lines are definitely the way to go. Another design feature to look out for is whether there is any added support at the foot of the wire rack to increase its height. Even an inch of space can make a great difference in increasing airflow, allowing for even cooling and a crispier cook. Design can also play a part in cleaning a wire rack, so if that's an issue for you, think about which wire rack would be easiest to clean.
Additional Features to Look For
Oven-safe
Oven safety should be one of your top priorities when it comes to wire racks, as you would always want a wire rack that is able to withstand the heat of the oven easily. Check for the temperature conditions that your wire rack is able to function in, and compare it with the foods that you often make. If your wire rack is not able to withstand higher temperatures, then it can cause damage to the product and your food. An oven-safe wire rack will allow you to get the most versatility out of your kitchen tool, as it can be used both in the oven and outside as a cooling rack.
Dishwasher-safe
Arguably one of the most important features to look for when buying a wire rack, a dishwasher-safe wire rack is definitely superior to one that is not. Baking, broiling, and roasting are all activities that already make a mess. You should try to make it easier for yourself and purchase a wire rack that will reduce that mess, not add to it. With dishwasher-safe wire racks, all you have to do is place it in the dishwasher and not worry about any manual scrubbing between uses. However, automatic dishwashing is very harsh on any kitchenware, and wire racks are no different. If you put a non-dishwasher-safe wire rack in the dishwasher, then you will find rusty water and peeling coating, which can be very harmful if found in food. Before making any final purchase, read reviews and think carefully.
