The Best Spice Racks

The standard bottles that spices are packaged in aren’t always the ideal way to store them. And if the bottles come in different shapes and sizes, it can be difficult to align them in an organized manner that benefits you. Treat your herbs and spices right with our recommendations for storage options that will keep them handy and ready for your next culinary masterpiece.

Buying Guide for Spice Racks

Why should you buy a spice rack?

Spice racks have been around for decades, as they have rightly earned their coveted place in most home kitchens. These organizational shelves ensure that you can take stock of every spice that you own. You won’t have to go searching for the cinnamon or garlic powder because a spice rack ensures that the label is presented in clear view. Especially if you own a variety of spices, a rack can help you reduce the mess inside your cabinets or pantry as well.

What should you look for in a spice rack?

The type and style of storage that you use depend on the space options in your kitchen and personal preference, but there are some basic principles regarding the proper treatment of spices:

• Containers: Spices can be effectively stored in glass, metal, or plastic jars, but glass is preferable because it’s not porous. It’s very important that containers be airtight in order to keep spices fresher and extend their shelf life.
• Light Exposure: Your spices should be kept in a cool, dry place and away from direct sunlight. Direct sunlight will speed flavor loss by degrading aromatic oils and flavor compounds. Keeping spices in the dark is helpful for flavor preservation, especially if you don’t use the spices up very quickly.
• Freshness: Keep track of the purchase date for your spices and toss them when they’re no longer fresh. Dried herbs (e.g., basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary) typically last about 1 to 3 years. Ground spices (e.g., cinnamon, ginger, garlic powder, paprika) will typically last about 2 to 3 years. Whole spices last longer because there’s less surface area exposed to air and moisture.

What design is easiest to use?

If you’re an avid cooker who’s looking for really quick access to your spices, the ideal option is a countertop rack. This rack allows you to move the spices where they’re most accessible for you while you add flavors to your dishes. A rotating rack is even easier to use, as it takes up less counter space. Wall racks can also be helpful for spice connoisseurs because they can be placed in your line of sight but off the kitchen counter. However, the material that keeps the spices stored might block the label or be difficult to remove quickly.

Our Picks for the Best Spice Rack

Pros: This spice rack can give you the full package of flavors in a convenient design. The rotating base gives you access to 20 jars without taking up too much counter space. With your purchase, you get a full array of spices as well, including rosemary, cilantro, fennel seed, and more. The glass jars have clear labels on the top, so you know exactly what each container holds. They also have removable sifters, allowing you to sprinkle a bit over your dish or place a measuring tool inside.

Cons: The tower of this rack sometimes arrives tilted, making the overall product wobbly. Many buyers didn’t enjoy the variety of spices that were provided, so make sure that you’ve gone over the list of spices that this rack comes with before purchasing.

Bottom Line: With its slim design and organized look, this spice rack is great for people who use spices in every meal. If you struggle to find an exact ingredient in your mess of spices, this rack can help you locate them more efficiently.

 

Pros: Want something at eye level? Well, this metal spice rack can bring you the flavors without crowding your kitchen counter. Each compartment has 15.7 inches of space in which to fit your items. Because the racks are separated into two pieces, you can adjust their closeness to accommodate taller bottles. The wall anchors are included with the design, and it only requires two supports per rack. The grate allows you to easily see the spice bottles’ labels while keeping them secure within the rack’s confines. If the silver color isn’t your style, there’s also a white option.

Cons: The mesh grate of these racks is somewhat flexible, which can cause them to bend. While it doesn’t often affect the usability of this product, it can detract from its appearance. Additionally, the drill holes are fixed, so the area that you’re attaching the racks to must accommodate the width of those holes.

Bottom Line: This rack is great for organizing your spices while keeping them in your line of sight. The mesh might be a bit flimsy, but it allows for increased visibility.

 

Pros: If spices aren’t typically a part of your meals, this cabinet organizer can do the trick. The three-step design allows you to stack bottles of almost any height while still being able to view the label. The texture pads ensure that the bottles stay in place. You can place more than just small jars on these steps, with 2.75 inches of space on each level. Due to its simplistic design, this rack can also be used to help organize other items, such as cleaning products or bathroom essentials. With over 20 colors available, you can find the ideal organizer for your spices that matches your style.

Cons: The nonslip pad is the only built-in protection to keep the bottles upright, meaning that bottles have a tendency to be knocked off when you remove an item from another shelf.

Bottom Line: This product can elevate your spice organization in almost any cabinet. Its stair-step design ensures that you can see your spices and gives you some extra wiggle room for larger jars and cans.

 

Pros: These magnetic spice jars have an unusual hexagonal shape for a compact display that places the beauty of your spices front and center. The neodymium magnets in the lids, which are separated from your spices by food-safe covers, will stick to your fridge or a stainless steel backsplash/wall base. The small jars come in sets of 10 or 24 jars and include 72 washable labels. They’re 1.75 inches wide by 2 inches tall and hold just under 1/4 of a cup in volume.

Cons: While the sturdiness of the bottles creates a great appearance, the weight can be too much for the magnets, causing the jars to slide off vertical surfaces. It’s also important to consider that these jars don’t feature sifters, so they aren’t ideal for dusting small amounts of spices.

Bottom Line: The unique design of these jars creates a striking visual in your kitchen, while the labels ensure that you’ll be able to find the exact ingredient that you need for your dish. However, you might have to adjust the spice volume in the jar in order to accommodate the magnets.

 

Pros: Do you want a dedicated space for your variety of spices? This drawer organizer is a great option that keeps the ingredients accessible but also out of sight. The zigzag design of the alloy steel material tilts the bottles up slightly to best showcase their labels. The rack is 16.5 inches long, with 4.5 inches of vertical space for the bottles to lie in.

Cons: You’ll need a minimum clearance of 3.25 inches for your spice bottles to sit in the drawer easily. Additionally, there’s no nonslip material attached to the product, so if your drawer is deeper than the 16-inch length, it will likely slide around when the drawer is opened or closed.

Bottom Line: This drawer rack is a great alternative for storing spices if you have extra space. It completely removes the negatives of vertical displays like tipping or the use of hardware for installation.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re an avid cook or just looking for some extra organization, spice racks can help reduce wasted space and time. Having a dedicated organizer ensures that your spices are easily accessible to you while also minimizing the space that they take up in your cabinet or pantry. While people with just salt and pepper might not see many benefits to having a dedicated spice rack, cooks with a passion for flavor might just benefit from the added convenience of perfectly organized rows of dried basil, turmeric, paprika, nutmeg, and more!