Best Cooling Racks

Piping hot treats need a minute to cool down before they are enjoyed, and that’s were cooling racks come in. These useful wire racks are a baker’s best friend, allowing cookies and other oven-pepped goods to rest before they are eaten, gifted, or packed away. The best cooling racks provide ventilation to eliminate excess moisture and offer enough room for batch after batch. Our favorite option for getting the job done is the Wilton 3-tier cooling rack. With multiple layers and a non-stick coating, your bakery items will cool without any mess. But if you need to explore other options, we've collected a list of great finds.

If you're looking for a cooling rack that cools it all, then the Wilton 3-tier cooling rack is the way to go. These racks are 15.9-by-9.9 inches, which means they're quite large to hold all your goodies. They have enough space to hold up to three cakes, so all your layers can cool at the same time. Plus, you can stack them on top of each other, so they don't take up all of your counter space.

These also have a non-stick coating, so you won't worry about any hassle when removing your cooled food. They do say to wash the rack before and after each use by hand, which is a bit tedious. This will help keep the coating intact, so it's worth the extra time.

If you don't mind the extra cleaning time to keep your cooling rack working as it should, then this will be a great fit in any kitchen. These are large enough to hold dozens of cookies, and you can stack them on top of each other, so you still have counter space. Plus, the non-stick coating will keep your food together, so it looks its absolute best.

You can save some money on cooling racks while still getting a high-quality product with the Wilton Mega cooling rack. The heavy gauge of this rack will help prevent warping and make sure the heat or air will spread evenly to all of your food. There are also handles, so it makes it easier to take out of the oven or move around your kitchen.

This rack also comes with a non-stick surface, so it's simple to clean up and take anything off of it. However, this may not fit all baking sheets as it is 10 x 16 inches. Be sure to measure your sheets if you're using it to cook food before purchasing it.

If this is the perfect fit for any cooking you may need it for, then save some cash and pick it up. The heavy gauge construction will make sure all heat or air will hit all your food perfectly. The handles are also incredibly handy, so you won't have to worry about it slipping even with oven mitts.

If you need more than one cooling rack and the 3-tier isn't cutting it for you, then the Checkered Chef cooling racks will be perfect for you. It comes with two sheets in the pack, and it's stainless steel, so it's strong enough to hold anything you put on it. It will also help with cooking since the stainless steel should prevent any sticking.

Since this cooking sheet doesn't have a coating on it, it's dishwasher safe. This will help make clean-up a breeze, seeing as you only have to rinse it, and then you can throw it in the dishwasher. This rack is on the smaller size, it's 8-by-11.75 inches and can fit in a 9.5-by-13-inch pan. That's the standard size for most quarter pans, and you can put them together to fit into a half sheet baking pan.

If these are the perfect fit for your pans or you don't need it for cooking, it's a great deal for two stainless steel cooling racks. You get double the amount than you usually would for cooling racks, plus it doesn't need coating since it is stainless steel. Add in the dishwasher safe aspect of it, this will make clean up a breeze, and you can start enjoying your meal.

Heavy-duty cooling racks are hard to come by, but Spring Chef has exactly what you need with this option. It's made from solid stainless steel, so it's a high-quality product that can withstand anything. The stainless steel makes it easy to clean, and it is also dishwasher safe due to what it's made from.

It's also rust and warp resistant, which is great if you're planning to used this to aid with any cooking. Because of the four raise feet, it doesn't sit flush with your pan or counter. In some situations, this may be a pain, but it helps with air circulation, so everything gets evenly cooked or cooled.

If you don't mind the rack standing out a bit from your pan, then this stainless steel product will be perfect for what you need it for. It's made for the oven seeing as it is both rust and warp resistant. This will also help with any future projects since you won't have to worry about it possibly not being a flat surface.

Bottom line

Whether your cakes, cookies, or even meats need a rest, a cooling rack is the perfect chill spot. These essential racks let your baked goods and more reach a desirable temperature and offer ventilation to evaporate excess moisture. Our favorite option, the Wilton 3-tier cooling rack, offers multiple layers to stack your delicious treats and more. It's the perfect addition to a baker's kitchen.

If you're looking for an option that takes up less space, we have you covered. Our collection includes options of different sizes to fit your baking and cooking needs. So, weigh the pros and cons, and add the best cooling rack to your kitchen inventory.