The Best Spice Racks, According to Professional Chefs
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Cooking without spices is like watching a Nolan movie on an iPhone. Sure, you can do it, but you’re getting the bare bones of what could be a spell-bounding sensory experience. Once an amateur chef starts to experiment with the flavorful world of spices, they’ll likely accumulate more than they can keep track of and clutter up the kitchen counter. Not only does this make it hard to find the right ingredient, slowing the cooking process, but if the cumin is mistaken for the coriander or the rosemary for the basil, that night’s dinner may be headed straight to the bin. The right spice rack can keep things organized and readily accessible.
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According to Celeste Rogers, a food writer, personal chef, and former winner of “Chopped,” the purpose of a spice rack is simple. “You want to be able to see where everything is all at once without having to go digging and create chaos and disorganization in the kitchen,” she says. Within the spice rack universe, though, many options satisfy that goal for a range of budgets.
“The very cheap option is to buy round plastic containers and label them with a Sharpie,” Rogers adds. “That way, all your spices are in same-sized containers, which can stack on top of each other.” This wouldn’t be Rogers’ first choice for an amateur chef — plastic containers accelerate the aging process for spices — but it’s done in restaurant kitchens and certainly works for cheap. “Unlike other kitchen tools, with spice racks, there is a $10 option that works,” she says.
What the Experts Say
For this story, SPY also interviewed Airis Johnson, a celebrity chef and creator of her own spice line, Airis Foods. She broke down the spice racks into three categories. For a beginner chef, she recommends a small, 2- to 3-tiered rack that sits on the counter and holds 12-20 different spices. And if that rack comes with spices already, buy those, too, she says.
For a more experienced chef, she also recommends something that sits on the counter, but it spins and holds roughly 15-20 spices. The spinning allows for a larger capacity without making it harder to find the spice that’s needed. For racks in these first two ranges, expect to pay between $20 and $30.
For the more culinarily advanced, the sky is the limit. One option is a drawer that pulls out and can hold 50-plus spices. Another is custom-built shelves, which is what Johnson uses. When trying to make a decision, Johnson says the two most important factors are convenience and inconspicuousness. A chef wants easy access to her spices, but the spice rack shouldn’t dominate the look of the kitchen.
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Rogers recommends this product because it’s built for convenience. Open the drawer, and there are the spices, ideally with labels on their lids. It’s affordable and is also made of metal, which is unlikely to degrade or break. It also comes in two sizes, with the wider option capable of holding more than 50 spice jars.
It’s also very inconspicuous, which is what Johnson likes about a drawer unit. “With absolutely nothing on your countertop, it makes your kitchen look television-ready, like nobody eats in it,” she laughs. It’s designed to fit the standard kitchen drawer size, but be sure to measure before you order.
With this product, though, Rogers has two pieces of advice. First, because spices lose their flavor faster when they’re exposed to heat, don’t put this unit in a drawer next to your stovetop. Second, this type of product works well when everything is stored in the same size and shape of container, so it’ll likely require more work on the front end to get everything organized. Rogers says it’s worth it.
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This simple mounted spice rack is one of the best and most convenient options available at The Home Depot for smaller homes. If you’re short on counter space, this rack can be installed in a cabinet or pantry and optimize vertical space so your spices don’t create unnecessary clutter. It’s made of metal wiring for long-term use and has a chrome finish that blends in without looking drab.
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Rogers recommends this unit for those who store their spices in deep cabinets that are particularly prone to disorganization. She calls this design “theater seating” because it allows the chef to see nearly every jar at once. With a design like this, it’s a bit less important for all the containers to be uniform, which is great for more eclectic cooks.
This unit is also quite affordable, holds up to 40 pounds, and has a non-slip surface to help prevent any broken bottles. It can also fit up to 64 spices, and if that’s way more than your collection, you can use the extra space to store other kitchen items.
FOR COUNTERTOPS
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This is Rogers’ favorite countertop unit. At a little fewer than 11 inches in diameter, it’s great for those who don’t have a ton of extraneous counter space or a voluminous collection of spices. It’s made of durable plastic, is easy to assemble and clean. The top can also be separated and used independently of the bottom.
Again, though, Rogers cautions that the rack shouldn’t be placed near the stove. To enhance the lifespan of the spices in your collection, put the rack in the coolest part of the kitchen.
FOR DOOR-MOUNTING
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Rogers says this is a great over-the-door option. It also comes as two units, which can be separated and hung independently. Together it holds dozens of spices, with room for other, larger items as well. Especially for someone with a pantry door, this thrives in the inconspicuous category.
Heads up: the manufacturer recommends that the pantry be at least five inches deep to accommodate the unit, with a door gap greater than 2 millimeters and a door thickness of fewer than 1.97 inches. Break out the measuring tape before opting for this one.
FOR SERIOUS COOKS
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This heavy-duty unit is for real spice queens, like Johnson, who has her own Metro Shelving. Don’t expect a lot of frills here, these racks are meant for professionals and even come with wheels if you need the items to be mobile.
For a product like this, spice storage is key. Because oxygen also prematurely ages spices, Rogers cautions against using plastic bags, which may not close all the way. Even metals might be slightly acidic, which can affect your spice taste. What’s best, she says, is glass.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spice Racks
How Important Is a Spice Rack?
“It’s a priority,” says Rogers, “but first you need some good basic tools, like a quality pan and a chef’s knife. You shouldn’t be spending your maximum kitchen item budget on this.”
How Long Do Spices Last in a Spice Rack?
Yes, says Johnson. “A big misconception is that spices last forever. They don’t. Especially spices that you’re going to keep on your countertop, if they’re in plastic containers or exposed to the sun, they’re not going to taste the same a year from now.” For that reason, she recommends buying small amounts consistently.
What Materials Should I Avoid in a Spice Rack?
Both sources recommend against racks made of flimsy plastic, and Johnson also avoids those that are supposedly magnetic. “Personally, I stay away from those because, unless that magnet has Superman-level strength, at some point it’s going to fall off the wall,” she says.
How Do You Build Your Own Spice Rack?
If you’re handy, building your own spice rack can help remedy your organizational problem, as long as you abide by proper dimensions. If it sounds too complicated, opt for one of the picks above.
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