The Best Wire Racks for Cooling Cookies, Roasting Meats and More
Who would have thought that a rectangular grid could be so useful in the kitchen? But it’s true: wire racks have so many cooking applications, they could make even the most experienced gourmand’s head spin. They seem so simple (and the best ones are), but that doesn’t mean they can’t make a huge difference in how you cook.
Yes, you can use them as cooling racks for delicate cakes and cookies, however, that’s just a small part of the story. You can use the very same racks to decorate those cakes and cookies as well. But they’re not just appropriate for sweets. They’re ideal for crisping strips of bacon in the oven or roasting root hearty vegetables. They can even elevate certain dishes, like a filet of beef, above a rimmed baking sheet so hot air can circulate for even cooking.
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To help ensure that you find the best version to stock your kitchen, we’ve rounded up the four best available on Amazon.
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1. Ultra Cuisine Baking and Cooling Racks
Constructed from commercial grade stainless steel, Ultra Cuisine’s set of cooling racks is the kind of heavy-duty kitchen workhorse you need if you’re a serious home cook. Slender feet raise this duo an inch above whatever surface they’re resting on so that air can circulate evenly to help achieve the best results. And that matters just as much when broiling a roast as it does when cooling cookies. Able to endure temperatures up to a sweltering 575 degrees Fahrenheit, each one measures 8.5 inches wide by 12 inches long to neatly accommodate just about anything, especially when placed side by side.
Courtesy of Amazon
Buy: Ultra Cuisine Baking and Cooling Racks
2. Spring Chef Cooling Rack
If you’re looking for a model on the lightweight end of things, Spring Chef’s rack could be the right choice for you. Measuring 8.5 inches by 12 inches, it has a standard perimeter measurement but thinner wires than some of the other models on our list. However, that doesn’t mean it isn’t up to the task of working hard in the kitchen. In fact, it is so tough it can handle oven temperatures up to 575 degrees Fahrenheit. Its polished metal surface not only looks handsome but also makes clean up a breeze without relying on chemical non-stick coatings.
Courtesy of Amazon
3. OXO Good Grips Non-Stick Pro Cooling Rack
Looking for a wire rack that can take a beating? Look no further than this model from OXO. The rack is made from durable steel covered with a PFOA-free non-stick finish so that what you’re cooking comes off easily without leaving any mess behind. The rack also features a unique design that maximizes airflow while still fitting in most half-sheet pans. And if that wasn’t enough, its large handles make removing and transferring the rack a true breeze.
Amazon
Buy: OXO Good Grips Non-Stick Pro Cooling Rack
4. KITCHENATICS Roasting and Cooling Rack
Constructed from durable stainless steel measuring 11.8 inches by 16.9 inches, this wire rack is the largest on our list. Perfectly designed for big jobs, it’s the ideal thing to break out when baking dozens of cookies at once during the holidays or preparing an especially large cut of meat for slow roasting in the oven. Its sturdy feet raise it a full inch off whatever surface it’s resting on to achieve maximum airflow and are strong enough to support the heftiest foods. Try using yours to slowly roast salmon so it cooks evenly and doesn’t come into direct contact with a hot pan. And when you’re all done, simply throw it in the dishwasher for easy cleanup.
Buy: KITCHENATICS Roasting and Cooling Rack
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