Product DescriptionWhether you've got layers for a three-tiered birthday cake or a big batch of chocolate chip cookies, these sturdy cooling racks will keep your baked treats high and dry. This system of three racks, each with collapsible 3-in. high legs, features horizontal cooling wires spaced 0.75-in. apart and stabilized in three places with strong vertical wires. Each rack can be used individually, but they are easily stacked--just move the legs into standing position and nest the small rounded feet inside the lower rack's grid area. The 3-in. between racks allows even the tallest cakes to have good air circulation.
Space saving racks for large batch baking (Rating: 5 out of 5) I bought these at a store that I worked for that sold Wilton accessories, thinking they looked like they might be useful and knowing I could use a 40% off coupon, making them an excellent deal. I figured I had little to lose.
I bake A LOT during the winter holiday season, and one of the most annoying things has always been finding enough counter space for everything. These racks work amazingly well at saving just a little bit more space for mixing the next batch of cookies or what-have-you. There is just enough room between the racks for cookies and such to still cool quickly, and they stack very nicely. I have no regrets about buying them, and, knowing what I know now, I would pay full price if I had to do so.
A couple tips for those using them:
- It's WAAAY easier to fill the bottom one, the set the next one on top before putting anything on them. This might seem like a given to some of you, but I tried to fill them and then stack them because I was flustered by too much going on in the kitchen and the newness of the racks. It happens. Fill one, set the next one on top, then fill it, set the next one on, and fill. Easy, no?
- You may get a bit frustrated with the way they stack. The are a teeny bit wobbly. That is because they fold. If they didn't fold, if they were all one solid piece, the would be much more sturdy. When you are trying to get both legs to stand up on the rack below in just the right way the first time and muttering curses under your breath, remind yourself that you are GLAD that they fold, or they'd be MISERABLE to find room for in your kitchen.
- KEEP THE BOX! When you fold them up again after using them, put them back in the box and store them that way. Then you won't have to worry about legs falling open all over the place, and you can store them on their side instead of flat where they take up more room.
The only other issue I had was that cleaning them is annoying, but that is true of all cooling racks, and these were no better or worse.
Good luck!
I LOVE THESE (Rating: 5 out of 5) I have had my cooling racks for 10+ years. I wouldn't give them up for anything. I have't had a problem with the legs bending. I use them to cool cookies, cakes, and to dry pasta. You do have to cool the cookies about 5 minutes before transferring to the cooling racks but it takes me that long to get organized anyway so it's not an imposition. Cakes have to cool 10 minutes before transferring as well. I do a lot of cooking and baking and have very little counter space so use these a lot! I was looking for them to give a set to my daughter for Christmas with her pasta machine I'm giving her. I'll tell her if she doesn't like them, give them back to me next year as my gift. :)
Good Enough (Rating: 3 out of 5) I purchased this cooling rack and was somehwat disappointed with it's performance. The legs that make the racks stackable bend easily and so the tiers are no longer level and cookies slide around on them. Also, you need to let your cookies cool on the cookie sheets before transferring them to this rack because the distance between the bars is so wide that cookies don't get enough support and will brake and fall through if they are too warm. Nevertheless, they still work and are great when counter space is a premium, just make sure you let them cool before using this cooling rack.
I've learned my lesson and am going to start using Wilton's cooling grids instead of these racks.