I am hosting Christmas for my in-laws this year, and my kitchen-diner is compact and open plan, meaning all my sink mess will be in full view of my guests.
Add to that a general shortage in my kitchen for counter space, and the area around my sink needs to work extra hard when I have guests, with big pots and pans to clean, dry, and reuse for complex meals. That’s why I am happy to have spotted a $40 Japanese foldaway over-sink drainer, which I am snapping up in time for Christmas.
It’s exactly what I need in my small kitchen so I can still use the sink and the space around it, even if my drainer is full.
Why a Foldaway Dish Drainer is Great for Hosting in Small Homes
This folding and sturdy carbon steel drainer can be moved with up to 8.8lbs of items on it, or rolled up when not in use. Verified shoppers love it for its durability, handiness, and the positive impact in small kitchens where space comes at a premium.
All washing up, drying, and putting away of dishes is strictly my husband’s remit, as I have to use an adaptive pace when cleaning, or cooking for that matter, as I am disabled and in chronic pain.
The planning and Christmas cooking fall to me, however, which is why I am assessing the space needed for all the festive goodies that will be on offer from the oven, my favorite Ninja air fryer, and the stovetop at various moments this Christmas Day.
This Yamazaki drainer, available on Amazon, is made of durable and light carbon steel, and depending on the dimensions of your sink, can go across it vertically and horizontally. It measures 22.83 inches D x 10.24"W x 0.31"H, so measure your space first to avoid disappointment.
When it’s not in use, simply roll it up and leave it next to your sink, or store it in your under-sink cabinet, which can be kept organized with a tiered caddy, available in a twin pack at Amazon.
The powder coating of the Yamazaki drainer makes it rust-resistant, whilst protective silicone pieces will stop it from damaging your sink when in use. Ceramic sinks are beautiful but easily scuffed, so no worries here on that.
We will be using ours for multiple things as we prep the family meal together for Christmas, including cleaning and air-drying vegetables before they are peeled and cooked, washing and drying pots, pans, trays, and air fryer inserts as the day progresses, and more.
Its stiff but folding structure means it can be moved whilst still open (it has a 4kg weight limit, that’s around 8.8lbs), say if you have vegetables or pots drying, but need to use the sink and don't want to cause any cross-contamination.
It can also help cover up some of the mid-cook mess that can build up, so if you have to present your beautiful Christmas tablescape in a small and unforgiving kitchen-diner like mine, you can chuck everything dirty from your counters into the sink, and cover with the drainer rack during the meal.
What Shoppers Say
One happy Amazon shopper who gave it full marks said they 'love the simplicity of this item. Works well with hand washing and easy drying! Goes well with [a] clean, sophisticated look.’
Another noted it is ‘extremely useful’, adding, ‘If you have a tiny kitchen, this is brilliant. It rolls up into a teensy little roll that fits into any cupboard, and when you need more bench space, just roll it out over the sink and voila!’
Others note how they use theirs almost every day, and that it is an ‘awesome space saver’. Going vertical for extra storage in small spaces is a home organizing idea that professional organizers use time and again in compact spaces.
As for the Yamazaki drainer's durability, one shopper, who rated it five out of five stars, revealed that they have had theirs for five years, and apart from a small cross bar breaking, it was still in use without impairment. Five years for an item used daily is very decent longevity, especially at this price point, and with it being weight-bearing and foldable.
Many also commented on how perfect the drainer is for small kitchens, with shopper MinnyMon advising, ‘Love having a dish rack, but hate having a dish rack taking up valuable real estate on your countertop? Problem solved.’
What to Shop
When hosting, extend this nifty drainer outwards. It has a movable cutlery holder to suit your sink and counter design and comes in three colors. Expand and contract it as needed.
Keep things simple and streamlined side sink when you have guests with a large silicone drying mat. It's dishwasher safe for ease and speed of sanitation. When not in use, make sure it's dry before rolling it up and stowing it to avoid mold.
Drying delicate stemmed glasses can be a pain as they smash easily and can end up smelling like 'wet dog' if there is moisture inside the cup section whilst drying. The wired element folds flat to make storage easy and compact when no longer needed.
Equipped with a practical pull-out shelf, this countertop space-enhancer can hold up to 4.4 lbs of weight when extended and is perfect for increasing your counter space on demand during hosting season. Avoid hot items here to avoid injury to guests.
No gap shall be wasted in a small space with this useful countertop extender. It creates a little extra surface space between appliances and counters, while adding a barrier that stops food debris from falling between and becoming a pest trap.
A stove cover can offer some extra counter space while blocking off the stove top from curious pets when you're not cooking.
Learn more about getting a kitchen ready for hosting or tackling post-Christmas clean-up like a pro.
