In Singapore at our rented apartment in a condo we bought an expensive plate and cutlery rack from a department store, probably Tang's at the central crossroads of Orchard Road. The rack was large, shiny metal, supposedly stainless steel, when new with a nice shiny chrome or chrome effect. You could move the plastic tray underneath left or right. You could remove it to wash it. The spout directed water into the sink. The upright, cutlery holder you could remove to wash - frequently growing black mould in the humidity.
It claimed to be stainless steel. We thought it was rusting. Maybe chrome, mislabelled? My husband wrote to the manufacturer in California. They replied that the guarantee did not apply to Singapore which was a secondary market.
We were disappointed. As we were on the point of throwing it out, nothing to lose by being rather rough with bleach or cleaning.
The good news was that when we tried to give it a good scrub, all the apparent rust was just dirt which came off. What a pity we did not have a dishwasher large enough to do it.
Dishwashers
We had no dishwasher. Many homes in Singapore have a maid's room off what I call the scullery, what Americans call the utility area. The kitchen was too small for an under-sink dishwasher and the work surface was not large enough for a table top model. Most homes employed a maid from the Philippines or Indonesia who washed up by hand.
The metal and plastic went shabby and stained eventually, After eight years in that condo, we were onto our second or third cutlery rack.
UK Dishwashers
Back at home in the UK, we have the same problem. Although we have a dishwasher, some items are not dishwasher proof. For example, plastic take away bowls which buckle in the heat. Wooden handled cutlery loses its shine. Delicate Royal Albert cups would lose the painting, or chip if you slam the dishwasher door shut and items in the top rack bounce against each other. Wooden handled steak knives - not in the dishwasher! Denby ware cutlery with china handles can develop chips around the join at the top, or cracks.
Our Nespresso coffee cups get washed by hand, because they are in constant use. We have three, but drink three cups every morning, each of us. So it's quicker to wash by hand and leave them to drain.
Our stainless steel sink has an attached drainer, so we do not need a tray under the rack, which you would need if you place your rack on the other side on a work surface. (This depends on space available, and how much room is taken up by your kettle, table top wastebin for vegetable waste, etc.
Buying Online
I went online looking at cutlery trays. The first search showed the cheapest cost about ten pounds UK sterling,
You can re-set your computer location, or re-set your google or website to another country, if you are about to move, or want to use a different credit card, or are buying for somebody overseas, or plan delivery overseas.) You can also set to a different currency.
If you buy in one country and ship to another, you might get charged tax before the mail will deliver your parcel. We were charged tax, a hefty amount of about seventy pounds sterling, after paying about a hundred Sing dollars to send our kitchenware back from Singapore to the UK, even though almost all of it was used and second hand, and had already paid tax when bought originally in the UK and taken to Singapore in hand luggage with us on the plane.
Compare Price, Quality, Colour, Size
Compare Price
On a second search, I found the cheapest item was as little as about two pounds! Unbelievable price. I am not keen on gray. But if you are in a hurry, or temporary accommodation such as a serviced apartment, this could be a good buy.
Compare Size
My husband looked at the height of ours and said, 'The one advertised is only 7 centimeters deep. Our current one is about eleven (four inches). If you have a short, or low, item, your cutlery and plates will topple and things will break. It will be a disaster.'
We have long tongs and spatulas and huge dinner plates. What you need depends on what you are using the cutlery tray for. In a serviced apartment you might have just one set of four of everything. The quality could be robust hotel quality, thick and heavy cups, almost unbreakable. You might have small plates. only two long handled items which can be laid sideways. Our serviced apartment in Singapore had a deep sink for washing without splashing, or draining.
Style and Material
For example chrome - a penny under eighteen pounds sterling, Not for me. Either I would need it to be dishwasher-proof or I would be spending hours cleaning off every spoke. But if you have helpers, or a friendly go-to friend who organizes washing-up parties after events.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/simplywire-Kitchen-Basket-Drainer-Chrome/dp/B084CVN13C/ref=asc_df_B084CVN13C/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=435824070893&hvpos
Some items are shown with the dimensions, and how many items stack up. You can buy two tiers. That might block the view.
When would you need such a large item? Not for one person. Not for a couple when one of them is away working for several weeks or months, or travelling a lot intermittently.
For a family of four, or five, with visitors from overseas, a party. Also, it could provide useful extra for a dinner party of four, a children's birthday party. Also privacy, keeping the person cooking, such as a caterer at a party or wedding, away from distraction from the householders, children, or guests.
Compare Sources - big supermarkets
Where can you buy. Our first check was local supermarkets. Nothing in the Sainsbury's in Pinner. We might have had more choice in the huge 24 hour supermarkets in London, like other city centres.
Compare Small Corner Shops
You can also browse and buy in the cheap notions shops in suburbs. You can see them from afar. They have piles of plastic homeware spilling out across the pavement in front of the shop windows.
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