Dish drainers are an important accessory for the kitchen that are commonly overlooked. Not only do they provide an important function in sanitation through drip drying dishes, but they can be a stylish accent as well. There are many different styles of the dish drainer – ranging from designs that revolve around pre functionality more than styling, to designs that provide a sleek accent but slightly lack functionality.
General Functionality
The general functionality of dish drainers is pretty straight forward – the name says it all. They are developed as a practical way to drain dishes in an organized fashion before putting them into the cupboard, or wherever else they are commonly stored. Storing dishes right out of the sink or dishwasher is not only unsanitary, but the residual water can also damage the surface of the area they are resting in – particularly wood based cabinetry.
Most people link dish drainers to dish washing by hand, but they are useful for people who utilize dishwashers as well. Most dishwasher drying mechanisms do not completely dry the dishes, and leaving them in a closed dishwasher drastically slows the drying process. To help remedy this issue; placing the dishes that have the most moisture on them in a dish drainer as you put the other dishes away is a fantastic way to get around this.
Styling Aspects
Dish drainers are an extremely versatile accessory that have evolved over the years. While the standard structure of a single level dish drainer with a moisture catching tray underneath has proven to be the most popular and effective – there are plenty of additional options that lend unique attributes. Some dish drainers are multi-level, with an area on top for smaller dishes, while larger plates and cups rest on the bottom layer. Additionally, the materials in which they are manufactured out of, as well as the various finishes available for metallic designs further adds to the design versatility of this functional kitchen accessory.
The dish drainer consists of three major parts:
- Outside Base – The generalized frame that ties everything together.
- Dish Holding Slats – The area of the dish drainer that the dishes are stored. This particular aspect varies by design.
- Moisture Catching Mat – This is the flat reservoir at the base of the dish drainer that catches all the residual water from the dishes being stored in the accessory.
As modern interior design elements have become popular, dish drainers are beginning to reflect more contemporary based attributes such as sleek and aesthetically appealing designs that incorporate various kinds of metals and luxurious plastics. Due to this fact, there has been a renewed interest in these overlooked kitchen accessories.