Is it worth buying a drainer?

Not so long ago, before dishwashers became dominant in our kitchens, washing dishes and pots was a daily matter. As a result, every kitchen had dish drainers – either hanging or placed on the kitchen counter. It turns out that even today, dish drainers are doing quite well, as they are useful for setting down frequently used mugs or dishes not suitable for washing in a dishwasher.

Why use a dish drainer?

Do you use the sink frequently in daily cooking? Even if you have a dishwasher at home, you surely find yourself washing individual kitchen accessories, plates, or pots by hand. If you don't want to place wet items on the kitchen counter and if a sink with a drainer is not in your kitchen and you don't have time to dry dishes every time, that’s when you need a dish drainer. This seemingly insignificant accessory allows for convenient storage of freshly washed dishes or cutlery, but you can also place wet pots or pans on it.

Sink with a drainer or separate drainer?

When equipping the kitchen, you have a choice of many sink models, including those with a drainer in the form of a countertop, usually grooved, where you can conveniently lay freshly washed dishes, pots, or vegetables prepared for cooking. However, a more convenient solution would be a dish drainer, which is a separate kitchen accessory. Why? Well, it's simply more versatile.

Drainer on the kitchen counter?

Many of us have favorite mugs or glasses that are used several times throughout the day. Hence, instead of placing them in the dishwasher, we usually wash them over the sink. And here arises the problem - what to do with a wet dish? Of course, you can dry it and put it in the cupboard, but a much easier and quicker solution is to set it on the drainer. The water will freely flow from the dish, and your favorite mug will be ready to use again.

The second situation where sink drainers definitely come in handy is the manual washing of delicate porcelain cups, crystal glasses, or hand-painted plates. Every home has items that shouldn’t be washed with a dishwasher. Silver or silver-plated cutlery or the kitchen knife set you use regularly when cooking also do better with hand washing. This is why your kitchen counter should have a functional dish drainer.

When deciding on a model to place on the counter, make sure it doesn't lack the special "drawer" where the leftover water from washing can drip. Additionally, it should have separate containers for cutlery and possibly for soap and dish liquid dispensers.

Choosing the right drainer for the kitchen

If we have managed to convince you of the necessity of owning a dish drainer, it's worth considering what type of dish drainer to choose to best meet your expectations. On the kitchen accessory market, you can find drainers in different sizes. If you frequently hand wash at the sink, choose a large model that allows you to comfortably set aside all washed dishes. If you wash occasionally, and in addition, have a small kitchen, a small dish drainer, installed over the sink, will be more useful to you.

In many store offers, you will also find drainers installed directly on the sink. If you have a large double-bowl sink at home, a drainer located directly above the sink bowl is a good choice. Thanks to this solution, water will easily flow into the drain hole. Additionally, placing the drainer on the sink saves space on the kitchen counter. Such a drainer is also useful if you have a single-bowl sink, although then it must be somewhat smaller; corner models can be a good solution.

Plastic or stainless steel drainer?

When choosing a dish drainer, consider not only its size but also the material it is made from. The most popular models are made from moisture-resistant and scratch-resistant material, with the advantage of having many available colors to choose from. However, if you want a particularly elegant solution, go for a stainless steel drainer.

Stainless steel kitchen accessories always look fantastic; they are not only stylish but also virtually indestructible. Resistant to high temperatures, mechanical damage, and the effects of detergents. They fit both kitchens equipped with a large sink and those where the sink is installed on a small cabinet. Check out our proposals for dish drainers and choose the one that best suits your kitchen.