Gift Lab #11: Mindy leaves ’em High & Dry

ETA August 2, 2011: Please note, this item is no longer available. We apologize for any inconvenience. If you’re interested in sink accessories, you may also like the Sink Drainer Cutting Board or Spongster.

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1) Product Name: High and Dry Dish Rack by Dan Black and Martin Blum.

2) Background Research: I’m a victim of the classic New York apartment sob story: my kitchen is so small, I can barely do anything! With a corner sink – and an awkward space next to it – I’ve had a dish rack dilemma for the past 6 years. I’ve tried metal and wood drying racks – both with a similar criss-cross design. They barely fit in the space, and I never had room for a proper dish drain underneath. I usually just use a dish towel, which inevitably results in a yucky situation every week or so when I would switch it out.

3) Hypothesis: It IS possible to efficiently dry dishes in a tiny kitchen and do it with style!

4) Experiment:  To use this unique dish rack and (hopefully) relieve the aggravation that is normally caused by my old system.

5) Results: When I set up the dish rack (took about 3 minutes from container to countertop), I was pleased that the design is innovative and easy on the eyes.  It fits perfectly in our little space, but that isn’t what sold me…

The dish drain, oh the dish drain! The rack comes with a dish drain that fits neatly underneath. It has a great little spout that flips up and down to let the water drain into the sink. No more stinky dish towels!!!

As you can see, the dish rack is designed to hold glassware on the top and plates, bowls, pans, etc on the main rack. The design works fairly well. I found that I can’t put really heavy glassware up top – the polypropylene the rack is made of is somewhat pliable and doesn’t always hold the weight.  However, given the size of the rack, I am pleased with the amount of dishes I can fit at one time.

I do have to make a confession: I have a dishwasher. I am probably one of a very small percentage of New York City apartment dwellers with this luxury. But, on the other hand, the spouse and I cook A LOT, and we don’t make very many one-dish meals. So there are always dishes to wash (and dry), buy they’re mainly pots or pans or delicate glassware. If I did not have a dishwasher, I would probably have to do several “rounds” of dishes given the dish rack’s diminutive size.

6) Conclusion: I think this dish rack was designed just for me! It is the perfect size for my kitchen, and since I have a dishwasher, I don’t need to fit as many dishes at one time as others might.  I like the way it looks, and I LOVE the drain.

Have I mentioned I love the drain??!?