Buying guide for Best spice racks
A pinch of cinnamon, a dash of cumin, and a generous helping of oregano — herbs and spices are a vital part of any cook's arsenal. If you have a large collection of seasonings, a spice rack will make your life much easier, saving you countless minutes you would have to spend rooting in your cupboard to find that elusive jar of sage.
But which spice rack is right for you? You need to consider a range of factors, including which type of spice rack suits your kitchen setup, how many jars you need it to hold, and what material it should be crafted from. If you need some assistance, you're in the right place.
Types of spice racks
Wall-mounted spice racks
Wall-mounted spice racks must be screwed into a wall or other suitable surface.
Pros:
Wall-mounted spice racks are excellent for kitchens without much space either on the countertop or in cabinets or drawers.
You can mount this type of spice rack onto the inside of a cabinet door to save space.
Cons:
Price: The majority of wall-mounted spice racks cost between $10 and $60.
Expert Tip
When picking a spice rack, think about the space that you have at home because that will inform which rack works best for you.
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In-cabinet spice racks
In-cabinet spice racks sit inside an existing kitchen cabinet so you can more easily access your seasonings.
Pros:
In-cabinet spice racks don't take up any counter space, so they're great for compact kitchens.
Most in-cabinet spice racks fit jars of spices you'd buy from the store, so there's no need to transfer them into a separate container.
You can often find adjustable in-cabinet spice racks, so they can fit a range of differently sized cabinets.
Cons:
The size of an in-cabinet spice rack is limited, since it has to be compact enough to fit inside a cabinet, which can be an issue if you have a huge collection of herbs and spices.
In-cabinet spice racks aren't ideal if you don't have much cabinet space.
Price: Most in-cabinet spice racks cost between $10 and $30.
Did you know?
You can find pull-down in-cabinet spice racks, which are excellent for use in high cabinets, where you might otherwise have had to use a footstool to reach.
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In-drawer spice racks
In-drawer spice racks fit inside a drawer, holding your jars horizontally.
Pros:
In-drawer spice racks are perfect if you have a free drawer, but not much countertop or cabinet space.
Most in-drawer spice racks can accommodate standard-sized herb and spice jars, without having to transfer the contents to a new container.
Since drawers are usually low down, in-drawer spice racks are more convenient for shorter cooks.
Cons:
Unless you have very large drawers, the capacity of an in-drawer spice rack is limited — most hold around 12 jars.
Many in-drawer spice racks can't hold jars of a non-standard size.
Price: Most in-drawer spice racks cost $10 to $20, but some larger models cost closer to $50.
Expert Tip
Spice racks are generally easy to clean and can be rinsed with water and dried quickly.
Tia Daniel
BestReviews Cleaning Expert
Free-standing spice racks
Free-standing spice racks are designed to sit on the countertop.
Pros:
Free-standing spice racks come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and materials.
You can find very large free-standing spice racks since they're not restricted in size by virtue of having to fit inside a drawer or cabinet.
Many free-standing spice racks have attractive designs, since they're on display all the time.
Cons:
Some free-standing spice racks only fit specific jars that come with the rack, meaning you have to transfer all your herbs and spices from their original jars.
Free-standing spice racks aren't ideal for small kitchens that lack counter space.
Price: Basic free-standing spice racks start at less than $10, whereas large high-end models made from solid wood can cost over $200.
"Rotating countertop spice racks can make it easier to find the seasonings you're looking for, particularly if you keep many different spices on hand."
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Magnetic spice racks
Magnetic spice racks are essentially a collection of jars with magnetic lids. They may or may not come with a wall plate to stick them to.
Pros:
You can stick magnetic spice jars to any magnetic metal object, for instance a fridge, or a metal splash guard.
Magnetic spice racks look great, and are different to your average model.
Cons:
If you don't have a magnetic surface to stick them to, you'll need to buy a model with a wall plate, which then must be mounted to your wall.
Since you have to use the jars provided, you need to transfer all your herbs and spices out of their original containers, which can be time consuming.
Price: Most magnetic spice racks cost between $20 and $100, depending on the number of jars provided.
For your safety
Whatever type of spice rack you opt for, position it so that your spices are out of direct sunlight, as this can make them lose their potency more quickly.
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Considerations for selecting a spice rack
Size
Consider the exact dimensions of your chosen spice rack to make sure it's the right size for the space you've chosen for it. This is particularly important for in-cabinet or in-drawer units, as just an eighth of an inch could mean the difference between fitting and not fitting.
If you're opting for a free-standing model and you're short on counter space, models that are taller than they are wide will fit the maximum amount of spices while taking up the minimum amount of space on your countertop.
Expert Tip
Pick containers that allow you to dispense your spices directly in order to save time when cooking.
Tia Daniel
BestReviews Cleaning Expert
Capacity
The capacity of a spice rack is the number of jars that it holds. Some compact spice racks hold less than 10, whereas the largest models can hold more than 70. Think about how many different types of herbs, spices, and other jars of seasoning you own, and choose a capacity to match.
Material
The majority of spice racks are made from either wood, metal, or plastic. Solid wood spice racks often cost more than the alternatives, but they're durable, and they never go out of style. If choosing a metal spice rack, make sure it's a metal that doesn't rust (or that it's appropriately coated), since you get a lot of steam and moisture in the kitchen.
Did you know?
Some spice racks are adjustable so that you can more easily fit them into the space you have available.
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Tips
When cooking with dried herbs, one teaspoon is equal to three teaspoons of fresh herbs.
To help find what you need more easily, work out a system of organization for your herbs and spices, especially if you have a large collection of them. Some people organize them alphabetically, whereas others group them by flavor profile so that spices commonly used together are located next to one another.
Herbs and spices do have a shelf life — usually between six months and three years. They may still be safe to consume after this time, but they won't be as flavorful.
Durability is key. A well-made, durable spice rack could last you a lifetime, whereas a flimsy model might need replacing in a year. While you'll usually pay more for a well-constructed spice rack, it works out better value for money in the long run.
Some spice racks come with a range of herbs and spices included. This is great if you're starting your seasoning collection from scratch, but redundant if you already have a lot of herbs and spices.
FAQ
Q. Do I really need a spice rack?
A. Sure, you can just put your herbs and spices in a cabinet, but when you've got multiple rows of them, it's tricky to find what you're looking for. Anyone who cooks from scratch even semi-regularly would benefit from a spice rack.
Q. Do spice racks come fully assembled?
A. Most spice racks come fully assembled, but you'll find some exceptions to this rule, so do check before purchasing. Some spice racks come assembled, but they need to be mounted to the wall or a cabinet, which an electric drill with the correct drill bits.
Q. What size jars will fit in my spice rack?
A. If your spice rack doesn't come with its own jars, check the dimensions of the shelves to see what size jars it will take. Good spice racks should be able to accommodate the majority of jars or herbs and spices you'd find in a grocery store, though some models only fit standard-sized jars. If you know you often buy non-standard-sized jars of herbs or spices, be sure to select a spice rack that can hold them.
