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A dish drainer is an assistant that is needed in the kitchen every day. Not only does it help dishes dry before storing them in the cupboard, but it also allows you to keep plates and mugs of essentials within easy reach. A dish dryer can also be a decoration for the kitchen. In this material we will talk about what varieties you can find in stores, as well as what to look for when purchasing.
Requirements for dryers
For washed dishes, it is necessary to provide adequate conditions for removing residual moisture from the surface. Wiped dry plates do not require any special equipment for drying, but the process is time-consuming. If, after washing, you place the accessories on a special lattice shelf, they will dry without outside intervention. The time saved in this way can be spent on activities that are not feasible without human participation.
Drying devices must meet the following conditions:
- Resistant to moisture, eliminating rust or areas of oxidation.
- Sufficient level of air circulation in the compartment with installed grille.
- Most drying accessories are equipped with a bottom tray, the cleanliness of which must be regularly monitored (the tray is usually made removable, and the surface is coated with a special composition to protect against microorganisms).
- Fits harmoniously into the design of the kitchen set.
The structure must be strong enough to withstand possible loads.
Dish dryer materials for cabinets
In most cases, the main material is steel. The metal grill is coated with anti-corrosion paint or a layer of special rubber is applied. The coating prevents the appearance of rust, mechanical damage and putrefactive formations.
It is also possible to manufacture from stainless steel grades that do not require additional processing. Stainless steel gratings are more visually attractive, more practical and durable than coated products, but more expensive.
Expert opinion
Bashir Rabadanov
Technologist at the furniture company Woodband
The cheapest material for dish dryers is plastic. Plastic models are completely protected from the harmful effects of moisture, do not rot or rust. The design possibilities are wide, since plastic is easy to shape and color. However, the disadvantages of polymers used to make dryers make this material the least popular among others. Plastic is cheap, low-strength, fades very quickly, and a lot of scratches form on it, in which dirt accumulates.
For certain types of kitchen set design, the use of metal and especially plastic is undesirable. Furniture made in country style will look better with wooden dish drainers. These are not full-fledged built-in modules hidden by the facade, but small external elements installed in open cabinets or on the countertop.
TOP 5 best products with reviews and prices
Among the many positive reviews about mats for drying dishes, there are five most popular models :
Umbra UDRY MINI
The Umbra UDRY MINI dish drying mat is a stylish accessory that simplifies the care of kitchen utensils. The product consists of two parts: a fleecy backing intended for drying dishes and a plastic stand with divisions for plates (this part is autonomous and can be removed if necessary).
The upper part of the drying substrate is microfiber, the bottom is membrane . The average cost is 1200 rubles. Read reviews here and here.
Video review of the rug:
NYHOLID IKEA
The NYHOLID dish drying mat is a European quality product from IKEA. This practical kitchen accessory (made of polyester) protects kitchen surfaces from moisture and simplifies the process of caring for kitchen utensils as much as possible.
The average cost is 200 rubles. Read reviews here and here.
Video review of the rug:
MoulinVilla Home
The MoulinVilla Home drying mat protects not only kitchen surfaces from moisture, but also dishes from damage . Thanks to the ribbed surface, moisture does not linger on the surface. Dense silicone prevents glassware from falling. The stylish design will help fit the rugs into the modern kitchen interior.
The average cost is 330 rubles. Read reviews here.
Ginger cat
The red cat dish drying mat is made of dense microfiber. Can be used as a hotel accessory and as a liner in a dish dryer. Bright colors and original design make it a successful addition to the kitchen interior.
The average cost is 150 rubles. Read reviews here.
UpakGroup
UpakGroup LLC dish drying cloth is made of viscose, which perfectly absorbs moisture and protects table and cabinet surfaces from damage. The variety of patterns will make the drying mat a bright accessory to the kitchen interior. The average cost is 50 rubles. Read reviews here and here.
Since drying mats come into contact with dishes, you should buy them only in stores where the quality of the product can be confirmed with appropriate documents. Rugs made from low quality materials can pose a threat to human health.
Sizes of dish drainers
The dimensions of the dryer primarily affect its capacity. On average, every 100 mm of the lattice base can accommodate 3 plates, and a certain amount must be added to the total value for the depth of a particular type of dish. That is, to place 12 plates in one tier, you will need a compartment with an internal width of 500 mm.
Standard sizes of common models range from 400 to 800 mm in increments of 100 mm. The depth of a conventional plate stand does not exceed 250 mm, which makes it preferable to install it in the top row. Bottom dryers occupy the entire space under the table (500 - 600 mm) and are divided into sections.
A module width of 600 mm is the best option, since the load with such dimensions will not be critical even when using roller guides. For multi-level built-in solutions, it is important to remember that the height between tiers should not be less than 30 cm. This height will leave enough space for storing relatively large dishes on the lower level.
Varieties
If we talk about the design features of built-in products, then we can distinguish 2 main types.
Let's start with the classic or standard solution.
Built into base cabinets
. These are ordinary straight designs, which are presented in the form of a box. It is built into the base cabinet using guides. Such dryers are equipped with several compartments for various dishes. At the very bottom there is a tray for collecting excess water, which must be removed and washed periodically. Such designs are convenient to use for children and small people. You can install a Tip On pull-out system with a closer so that the dryer rolls out after lightly pressing the façade. That is, it is not necessary to use pens here.
If you have a dishwasher installed, such a dryer will be the optimal solution when placed next door. It is enough to open the dishwasher, pull out the drying compartment, and then, without changing your body position, move the dishes from one container to another.
Really very convenient and practical.
If all the dishes are stored on the top drawers, using the bottom drainers will be inconvenient. You will have to constantly bend and climb. This option is not suitable for older people and people with back problems.
I can say that lower placement has more advantages than disadvantages. Much depends on the overall organization of the kitchen.
There is another type.
Roll-out bottom dryers
. Mainly used on corner cabinets. Due to the difficult access to them, it is quite correct to use a withdrawable system. It optimizes interior space. Basically, these are dryers with a mesh structure, which are attached to the counters or to the facades of the kitchen unit. There are usually no divisions into sectors for different dishes. Basically, it is recommended to use such dryers specifically for storage, and not for placing wet dishes there. This is due to the lack of pallets in most models.
So it is the first option that can rightly be considered a full-fledged and most practical dryer installed in the lower cabinet.
Rotating shelf in a corner closet
Instructions for installing a dryer in a closet
There are a lot of ways to assemble drying cabinets, and they differ in components, design and installation location. Next, we will consider common types of assembly for each location option.
Upper
The internal dimensions of the hanging cabinet must correspond to the width of the module (600 mm). The lower part (bottom) is missing; its function is performed by the frame of the dish dryer.
Sequencing:
- Attach the outer frame of the lower shelf, the ceiling panel and the supports of the upper shelf to the pre-prepared side panels. To fix the frame, complete self-tapping screws are used, the top is secured with furniture Euroscrews.
- Mount the rear part of the crossbar in such a way that the back wall made of fiberboard can be inserted into the groove.
- All that remains is to fix the metal bars in the seats and hang the finished cabinet on the wall.
I also recommend watching 2 videos with instructions on assembling and installing different types of dryers in a closet.
Angular
Installing the upper corner module into a finished (already hung) cabinet includes the following steps:
- Before proceeding with installation, make markings inside the compartment in accordance with the external dimensions of the shelves.
- Connect the side supports (G) to the square profile with the supplied screws.
- Using the markings, try on each of the assembled shelves. Adjust the depth and check that the doors operate correctly.
- If everything is in order, secure the assembled frame to the base, then place the metal grille into the mounting slots until it clicks.
- Place the pallets in special slots.
The process is quite simple. The main thing is that the internal dimensions of the base box correspond to the dimensions of the shelves.
Lower
Retractable lattice modules are usually installed at the bottom of the kitchen unit. The installation process is as follows:
- We mount the lower guides at a distance of 2 cm from the front edge of the base frame.
- We screw on the decorative trims.
- We attach it to the guide holders of the lattice frame.
- We place the mesh frame on the holders and secure it with latches, having first turned them with the open part outward.
- In accordance with the complete fittings, we mark the facade.
- We fasten the fittings according to the markings.
- We fix the façade to the dryer frame.
How to install
There are many photos on the Internet illustrating the step-by-step process of installing dryers. We'll discuss a couple of important details. Firstly, the drying installation depends on the material it is made of. Metal structures will look good on the wall, plastic ones - installed on the kitchen countertop.
In order to ensure reliable fastening of the dryer, you will need the following tools:
Here are the main installation steps:
That's it, the dryer is installed and ready to use. Happy shopping!
Source
The best models of cabinet dryers
The following models of built-in dryers are popular now:
Dish dryer with tray and grid made of chrome-plated steel wire. Permanently mounted in the top row compartment with an internal width of 600 mm. The minimum depth of the cabinet is 350 mm. Price 790 rub. | |
The most affordable option is 195 rubles. For drying small cutlery, cups and plates. Pallet included | |
Two-tier option, designed for installation in a corner base. Supplied with a pallet and fasteners for fixing. Each shelf can withstand up to 10 kg of load. The price of the set is 3500 rub. | |
Stationary shelves for drying plates and cutlery. The mesh is made of chrome steel. The set is equipped with a pallet. Price for 2 shelves - 1320 rub. | |
The metal part is made of stainless steel; at the bottom of each shelf there is a plastic tray for collecting liquid. The price of a model with a width of 60 cm is 2540 rubles. |
Expert advice on selection and installation
First you need to choose a place of purchase. In branded furniture stores, the products are usually of higher quality. Some may find it more convenient to order online, but this method deprives the buyer of opportunities available only by directly inspecting the product.
The material from which the grille is made is also important. It determines the service life and the condition in which the dryer will be used most of the time. Stainless steel (stainless steel) has proven itself best. Coated versions are cheaper and often comparable in practicality. Plastic is even cheaper, but you should choose it only if you have a very limited budget.
Before ordering or purchasing, it is important to find out what sizes will be needed in a particular case. If you plan to install it in a ready-made cabinet, measure all the internal dimensions of the compartment for the future dish dryer. If the dimensions are not tied to the finished bedside table, you should start from the actual needs. As a rule, a module with a width of 600 mm will be sufficient - it can accommodate 12 plates, and with the same depth it is possible to divide it into additional compartments within one tier.
The quality of components is another important point. All parts, even those invisible after installation, must be free of obvious defects, damage to the coating, and especially corrosion. Ball retractable guides are better than roller ones, although they are more expensive. But it is not advisable to save on them, since the load on the dryer is relatively large (the dishes weigh a lot), and plastic rollers will not work for long under such conditions.