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A cooling rack is one kitchen equipment that many people overlook until they buy one, but once they do, you’ll wonder why they waited so long. Many are versatile and can pass from high-heat ovens to cool shelves ensuring roasted veggies aren’t oil-soaked but crispy, and fresh-baked cookies are gooey on the inside with a satisfying crunch on the outside.
A cooling rack provides air circulation; it also prevents your food from becoming a soggy mess on the pan by allowing steam to escape, keeping it from becoming limp.
There are a variety of cooling racks available on the market, ranging from nonstick coated to oven safe. Most feature grids to prevent food from falling through the crevices. However, ladder types are available if you’re roasting meat and like fewer crosshatch impressions.
Certain types use materials that promote even heating convection, while others provide lifelong rust resistance. Whichever rack you choose, it will be a welcome addition to your kitchen arsenal, ensuring crispy fried chicken and pillowy loaves of bread.
The top cooling racks are listed below.
Top 7 Best Cooling Racks Reviewed By Experts.
Best Overall 
Ultra Cuisine Cooling Rack for Baking
- 100% Stainless Steel
- Smooth no-snag edges
- Oven and dishwasher safe
Best Budget 
Goson Cooking and Baking Rack
- Set of 2 x stainless steel wire racks
- Versatile use with sheet pans
- Oven and dishwasher safe
Best Cooling Rack for cookies 
Wilton Excelle Elite 3-Tier
- 3 stacking cooling racks
- Non-stick
- Dishwasher Safe
Best Round Cooling Rack 
Nordic Ware Cooling Grid 13-inch diameter
- Round Cooling Grid
- Sturdy grid
- Not for oven use hand wash
Best Cooling Rack With Sheet Pan 
Nordic Ware Half Sheet
- Aluminum
- nonstick
- Oven-safe grid and baking pan
Top-Rated 
Cooling Rack Wilton Industries Perfect Results Mega
- Non-Stick Coating
- Heavy guage construction
- Dishwasher Safe
| Image | Product | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Ultra Cuisine Cooling Rack for Baking |
| Check Price |
| Best Budget | Goson Cooking and Baking Rack |
| Check Price |
| Best Cooling Rack for cookies | Wilton Excelle Elite 3-Tier |
| Check Price |
| Best Round Cooling Rack | Nordic Ware Cooling Grid 13-inch diameter |
| Check Price |
| Best Cooling Rack With Sheet Pan | Nordic Ware Half Sheet |
| Check Price |
| Top-Rated | Cooling Rack Wilton Industries Perfect Results Mega |
| Check Price |
#1 - Best Overall - Ultra Cuisine Cooling Rack for Baking
Key Features:Â
- 100% 304 GRADE STAINLESS STEELÂ - heavy-duty, thick gauge 18/8 wire will not rust
- 3 SUPPORT BARS WITH 6 FEETraise the grid 1 inch high (other brands have only 2 bars and can sag in the middle)
- DISHWASHER SAFEÂ making it easy to clean
- OVEN PROOFto 575ËšF degrees
- NO PFOA, HARMFUL COATINGSÂ or chrome plating that can wear off or flake into your food
- NON-TOXIC AND FOOD SAFEfor you and your family
- EXACT 11.5" x 16.5" RACK SIZEfits perfectly inside popular 13"x 18" half sheets like Nordic Ware, Wilton, AirBake and more (pan not included)
Ultra Cuisine’s cooling racks are made entirely of stainless steel for easy cleaning and are dishwasher safe, eliminating the risk of rust or chrome flaking into your food; our baking and cooling racks provide long-lasting outstanding quality.
The large cooling rack for half sheet baking pans is made of food-safe, professional-grade 304 (18/8) stainless steel with a robust, heavy-duty wire grid, small holes, a smooth no-snag edge.
Ultra Cuisine cooling racks are elevated a full 1″ high by 6 feet, allowing for more excellent air circulation for even cooling. Unlike most cooling racks, no more burned cookies or soggy bread because of over-baking on a pan.
Ultra Cuisine’s cooling rack is safe for use in the oven up to 575 degrees Fahrenheit. Because of the high heat tolerance of the 100 percent stainless steel construction, you can confidently roast, bake, grill, smoke, dry, and BBQ; all of this is possible because of the high heat tolerance of the 100 percent stainless steel construction.
Thanks to high-grade stainless steel construction that will NOT rust & the perfect size to fit into a half sheet cookie pan – this rack is must-have cookware for the home kitchen!
PROS
- Resistant to rust
- Warranty for life
- Dishwasher-friendly
- Tightly woven wire grid
CONS
- Food can become lodged in narrow gauges.
#2 - Best Budget - Goson Cooking and Baking Rack
Key Features:Â
- Provides superior oxidation resistance and is completely safe for dish washer use.
- Quarter inch rim border for warp proofing even up to 550 degrees
- Half inch square mesh to prevent cookie dough slippage and optimal grease leakage
This cost-effective model includes two racks for the same price as individual racks. Chrome-plated stainless steel is resistant to rust and is oven safe to 575 degrees.
The best feature of this design is the grid spacing—each hatch is half an inch apart, and the elevation is 0.75 inches, allowing for maximum air circulation and minimal food slippage.
Even though the size is smaller, it fits comfortably in sheet pans for roasting, baking, and broiling. Six feet are welded to the rack for added stability, and the rack is dishwasher safe.
The chrome coating on this model may rust over time, but it is easily replaceable at this price point. Additionally, this rack fits in the majority of standard toaster ovens, increasing its versatility.
PROS
- Durable
- Affordable
- Two racks are included.
CONS
- Can rust
- Small
- Cons 3
#3 - Best Cooling Rack for cookies - Wilton Excelle Elite 3-Tier
Are you a baker with limited space? This three-tiered cooling rack is the perfect solution to your dilemma. It expands to three stackable racks, allowing you to cool multiple batches of cookies, cake layers, or a variety of finger foods simultaneously without sacrificing counter space.
Once completed, it collapses entirely for easy storage. This Wilton rack’s large capacity makes it an ideal tool for Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Halloween baking. Individual cooling racks can also be used for smaller baking jobs.
This bakeware’s durable construction includes extended handles on pans and sheets for easy lifting and transport. Additionally, the oversized handles keep your oven mitts from touching the food while transporting it to and from the oven.
This model’s grid is quite large, which is ideal for larger baked goods but may allow for the passage of smaller crumbs. It remains an excellent value for someone who enjoys baking batches of pies or cakes at this price point.
Additionally, all three tiers are dishwasher safe. They can be used as single racks or stacked. They are not intended for use in the oven, so keep in mind that they are only designed to be used as a cooling rack.
The reinforced nonstick coating allows for effortless release and cleanup. Racks measure 15.9 x 9.9 inches each. To achieve the best results, wash in warm, soapy water before and after each use.
PROS
- Dishwasher-friendly
- Nonstick ceramic coating
- Compact
- Collapsible for convenient storage
CONS
- Height restriction between racks
- Significant gaps between wires
#4 - Best Round Cooling Rack - Nordic Ware Cooling Grid 13-inch diameter
Key Features:Â
- Gorgeous copper-plated circular steel wire grid
- Sturdy grid that is pretty enough to use while entertaining as well
- Perfectly sized to fit Bundt cakes layers and other goodies
- Not for oven use hand wash
- Globally sourced
This elegant cooling rack is ideal if you’re looking for a piece that can double as serving ware on your dining table in addition to cooling pastries.
The copper-coated steel interior features a precise grid pattern that is ideal for bundt cakes, pizza, and pies, as well as a variety of other small-batch pastries. It is constructed with high-quality materials and is relatively stable at any weight level.
This option is intended solely as a cooling rack, which means it cannot be used in the oven and must be hand washed. On the plus side, it’s lovely, and the round shape is ideal for cakes.
PROS
- It can also be used as serve ware
- A tight grid is used to prevent food from slipping.
CONS
- Hand wash only
- Not oven safe
#5 - Best Cooling Rack With Sheet Pan - Nordic Ware Half Sheet
Key Features:Â
- Half sheet with a custom nesting oven-safe nonstick grid
- Use together in the oven for crisping bacon, veggies and more
- Naturals commercial bakeware is made of pure aluminum which will never rust for a lifetime of durability
- Foods bake and brown evenly due to aluminum’s superior heat conductivity. Reinforced encapsulated steel rim on the pan prevents warping and adds strength
- Use together for crisping in the oven or separate as a baking pan and cooling rack
Aluminum has a secret in commercial kitchens: it provides superior heat conduction and never rusts. This Nordic Ware model is made of durable aluminum and includes a rimmed baking sheet. A rimmed baking sheet is unique in its versatility.
This is the pan to use for baking a sheet of Coca-Cola cake, and shortbread cookies have never baked more evenly. With the addition of the oven-safe rack, you’ve created the ideal tool for roasting parsnip fries, crisping bacon or allowing your fried chicken to rest without being drenched in grease.
Additionally, this is an excellent choice for baking gooey-on-the-inside, crisp-on-the-outside white chocolate macadamia nut cookies. The pan does not warp or bend in the oven, the aluminum construction ensures even heating, and there is a rack included for cooling your cookies after they come out of the oven.
The half-sheet size is generous, and the galvanized steel rim provides additional depth while maintaining the pan’s shape.
PROS
- Superior conductivity of heat
- Neither warps nor bends
- Robust construction
CONS
- Pricey
#6 - Top-Rated Cooling Rack Wilton Industries Perfect Results Mega
Key Features:Â
- Non-Stick Coating
- Oversized Handles
- Durable Construction
- Premium Bakeware
- Dishwasher Safe
The Wilton Perfect Results Mega Cooling Rack is a good option if you want an affordable cooling rack that is also simple to use. It has an easy-to-clean surface, so you don’t have to spend as much time in the kitchen cleaning it. It weighs just eight ounces, making transportation a breeze.
For those who frequently cook and bake, you need bakeware that can withstand the rigors of daily use. A heavy-duty cold-rolled steel construction, a durable non-stick coating, and oversized panhandles make the Wilton Perfect Results line ideal for everyday use.
There is a pan to suit every baking need. Cookie sheets, muffin pans, loaf pans, and pizza pans are all available. Each pan can be washed in the dishwasher, making cleanup a snap. When it comes to baking, Perfect Results, Premium Non-Stick Bakeware will be your go-to appliance.
The nonstick surface has a reinforced coating that allows for easy release and cleanup. Even while wearing oven mitts, the handles on these pans are designed to make them easy to lift out of the oven.
PROS
- Heavy gauge
- Easy cleanup thanks to the nonstick surface
- Convenient handles
CONS
- It can rust, and the non-stick coating can flake off.
- Does not fit all baking sheets
#7 - Best Durable - OXO Good Grips Non-Stick Pro Cooling Rack and Baking Rack
Key Features:Â
- Constructed from durable steel with a PFOA free nonstick finish for easy release and quick clean up
- Generous handle for easy removal from pan or for transferring rack
- Designed to fit in standard half sheet pans
- Wire design optimized for air flow and easy cleaning
- Great for cooling baked goods, letting meats rest and more
- Oven safe up to 450° F
We recommend this cooling rack from Oxo if you’re looking for a high-quality appliance that will become an essential part of your kitchen.
This cooling rack is durable steel with a PFOA-free, non-stick finish, making it easy to remove from a pan or carry from the counter to the dining table. The non-stick coating on the wires makes it easy to remove food and clean the appliance.
Cooling baked goods and allowing meats to rest on this rack is a breeze, and it’s oven safe to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. With its half-sheet pan fit, you can roast or cook meats and other foods with this tool.
PROS
- 100% pure heavy gauge stainless steel
- Five stackable cooling racks that can be used individually or in conjunction with one another
- Safe for the oven
- Individual racks will fit inside a 16-inch x 12-inch baking sheet or more extensive.
- Increased feet and thicker wires
- Collapsible design for convenient storage
- Dishwasher-friendly
CONS
- Must be greased to prevent food from sticking
- Small cookies tend to fall through the grid.
The Best Cooling Racks: A Complete Guide For Serious Bakers.
Material
Cooling racks are available in various materials, including stainless steel, aluminum, chrome-coated steel, and wood. The best cooling racks are constructed of commercial-grade materials, which ensures they will not bend or warp and remain durable for an extended time.
Stainless steel promises rust resistance, which is desirable because no one wants rust particles in their food. Aluminum is the material of choice for most professional cooks and bakers due to its even heat conductivity, but it is frequently coated with Teflon.
In most bakeries, wooden cooling racks are used to cool the day’s batch of bread. Apart from that, some models are constructed entirely of wood and then plated with chrome, iron, or steel to make them nonstick. Again, when it comes to coatings, always check the manufacturer’s label for information on heat resistance and care.
Coating
While the majority of racks are nonstick, not all coatings are created equal. The most common type is polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)1, more commonly referred to as Teflon.
While this is a very durable material that prevents food from sticking to your rack, it does have some drawbacks. Teflon is a chemical, and there is concern that cooking at high temperatures may cause the release of chemicals into your food.
According to a 2012 study, Teflon can cause “Teflon Flu” when exposed to temperatures above 500 degrees. The superior surface coating prevents sticking, so if your rack will be used solely for cooling or low-heat cooking, Teflon is a safe bet.
Size
Ovens are no longer universal in their design. With the variety of ranges available on the market, the standard size is not always relevant. Keeping this in mind, measure the interior of your cooker before purchasing a rack, especially if you intend to use it for roasting and baking.
The other factor to consider when purchasing a range is the pans you intend to use it with. Check the dimensions of your sheet pans to avoid buying a too-large rack for the job.
Another factor to consider is the area of the rack’s size about the purpose for which it will be used. If you’re using this to excellent large batches of cookies or bread, you’ll want to upgrade to a larger model.
If you cook in small batches, you may be able to get away with a more compact model, freeing up valuable cabinet space.
Apart from Teflon, some bakeware is coated with ceramic, which can withstand significantly higher temperatures while maintaining excellent stick resistance.
Other racks have a silicone coating, typically black, that facilitates food lifting, but these are generally not oven safe and have been known to flake over time.
Safe in the Oven
When shopping for a cooling rack, look for an oven-safe rating to ensure maximum versatility. After that, your rack can be used for cooling, baking, and roasting.
Design
In terms of cooling rack design, there are only two options: grid or ladder. Bars run horizontally only in ladder styles. Grid styles feature bars that run in both directions, giving the appearance of a hatch.
Both models allow air circulation, which helps keep foods soggy, but grid designs have an advantage. Food can easily fall through the cracks when only horizontal bars are used. A grid solves this problem. However, when selecting a cooling rack, take into account the grid’s size. If you purchase one with large openings, you will face the same issue as the ladder design, with food escaping through the cracks.
FAQs
The more pertinent question is, why not? Cooling racks have many applications in the kitchen, regardless of whether you’re a novice or a seasoned chef. They prevent your food from steaming on the baking sheet. Additionally, they promote air circulation, which results in a more tender texture—no mushy chicken wings here. Air circulation immediately slows the cooking process, so bid farewell to overcooked pastries and loaves of bread.
Oven-safe cooling racks expand your cooking options, such as making the best bacon ever. If you want genuinely delicious, non-greasy, crisp bacon, cook it on a rack set above a sheet pan. Heat is distributed evenly, resulting in more uniform cooking of the bacon. Before putting your rack in the oven, check if it has been coated with anything to avoid chemical seepage or toxic release.
It is model-dependent. Some are explicitly made for oven use. If this is the case, the wire rack can also serve as a roasting rack. Simply place it in your sheet pan. Check the manufacturer’s packaging to ensure that your model is oven safe up to a specified temperature.
Allowing your cookies to sit on the baking sheet for a minute before transferring them is critical for a successful transfer. This allows for even distribution of the ingredients before you slide them off with your spatula. Choose a spatula that is slightly larger than the cookie to avoid breaking any delicate, fresh-from-the-oven treats.
CONCLUSION
If you’re looking for a new cooling rack or a replacement for your old, warped one, our list of the 7 best cooling racks is sure to have something for you. No matter how often or how little you bake, you’ll want to have these on hand. These tools have the advantage of being both highly effective and reasonably priced.
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