A drying rack is an essential part of your kitchen. The drying rack is used every day and is often put through a lot of wear and tear from the dishwashing process. Don't worry, these handy units are designed to take on water, and with proper accessories, they will be able to handle all of your various types of dishes. Now there are many different accessories to choose from, and each is specifically designed to hold individual items. It can be a little daunting to take on all these accessories when purchasing your drying rack. Here are some of the possible accessories you will face when building a drying rack and the benefits each will offer your kitchen.
1. Cutting Board or Tray Drying Racks
One of the essential components of any high-efficiency drying rack is the racking system. These racks come in various sizes and widths based on your needs. Some can hold both trays and cutting boards; others have wider slots to hold 2-1/2” deep steam pans. The purpose of the rack is to keep these items upright to ensure they dry properly. The stacking of damp or wet items prevents proper airflow and may cause bacterial buildup. This condition, commonly referred to as “wet nesting”, will lead to points taken off your health inspection. Picking the proper racking will ensure you get as many items on the rack as you can, and that they dry safely without wet nesting.
2. Drop-in Racks
We've all been there, running out of space as you try to get the dishes done at the end of the day. Then, you run out of shelf space for the prep pans and bowls. Sadly, they do not fit in the racking system on your drying rack. Now what? Well, there is a simple solution. Drop-in racks are designed to hold bulkier items like pans, pots, and sieves while letting them dry safely. It is a great addition to any food service operation and can make your job a little easier. Is there anything better than that?
3. Sorting Pegs
Sorting Pegs are a great accessory if you use deep pans regularly. Sorting pegs prop up pans of all sizes, ensuring proper airflow and safe drying. Pegs are easy to install, easy to use, and can help you bring your organization to the next level. They keep pans upright, avoiding wet nesting, and make it easy to grab pans when they are needed. Pegs can also be readjusted easily, so if you start preparing dishes in bigger pans, you won't need to buy a whole new sorting rack; you can easily adjust the pegs to the exact size you need when you need it.
4. Utensil Drying Grid
It happens to the best of us. You finish washing a large pile of utensils and need a way to contain and safely dry them. A plastic tote could store them, but it doesn't prevent wet nesting. If you toss them on a shelf, somehow the next day a spoon or scoop is nowhere to be found. Adding hooks and a drying grid will allow you to hang each utensil individually or contain them in smaller baskets that provide proper organization and airflow. The drying grids also eliminate clutter on the rack itself and help you keep track of all of your utensils.
5. Drip Tray
One accessory that you should consider for your drying rack is a drip tray. Drip trays catch water that is dripping from all the wet items into a reservoir on the bottom. By catching the runoff from your various wares as they dry, the reservoir at the bottom minimizes any pooling on the floor around the rack. This accessory is a great way to improve the overall safety of your washroom. Within the foodservice industry, slips and falls are one of the most common causes of injury, which is why OSHA requires employers to keep floors clean and dry (29 CFR 1910.22(a)(2)). Drip trays catch runoff before it even reaches the floor, making it a simple yet effective way to keep your dish area safe and compliant.
Build the Right Drying Rack for Your Dish Room
The right accessories turn a basic drying rack into a complete drying solution that works with your employees and processes. Pans stay upright to prevent wet nesting, utensils stay organized and accounted for, and water stays off the floor. Start with a MetroMax drying rack sized to your space, then add the right accessories to make it work for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is wet nesting?
Wet nesting is the unsafe practice of stacking (nesting) wet pots, pans, trays, utensils, and containers. This is problematic because the trapped moisture can't evaporate, creating the perfect conditions for bacteria to grow. Stagnant water can drip onto other surfaces, leading to contamination. Health inspectors look for et nesting, so it's important to dry items with space for proper airflow and ensure items are fully dry before putting them away for storage.
Is it more sanitary to air dry or towel dry dishes?
While wet nesting is unsafe, it is actually more sanitary to properly air dry dishes than it is to towel dry them. This is because towels can harbor pathogens. When a cloth is reused, it can quickly become damp and spread germs onto the clean surfaces.