Which cookbook stands are best?
Anyone who likes to cook and has a collection of cookbooks can tell you how much easier life is with a cookbook stand. You don’t need to crane your neck at odd angles, most cookbook stands have a way to keep pages from turning and some have splatter guards to help you keep your cookbooks safe and clean. They can also be beautifully designed additions to your kitchen décor.
One high-quality cookbook stand for many of these reasons is the Tripar Swirl Design Metal Cookbook Stand. A gorgeous, wrought-iron design spices up your counter space in addition to keeping your cookbooks easily accessible as they’re meant to be.
What to know before you buy a cookbook stand
Capacity
The worst thing for a cookbook stand is to be too small for your cookbook. Most stands avoid this issue but make sure the stand is big enough if you have a particularly large cookbook.
To avoid this issue entirely, you can purchase a cookbook stand designed to hold more than one cookbook or a tablet, if you find recipes online.
Size
The size of your cookbook stand is just as important to determining how much counter space it takes up as it is for being able to hold your cookbooks. Some can be truly huge, while others fold down for easy storage.
Weight
Weight can make it difficult to move your cookbook stand around your kitchen or complicate taking it with you to a different kitchen. Materials and construction are the main components when determining weight.
Angle of tilt
Most cookbook stands allow you to change the angle of tilt to make reading your cookbook as easy as possible. More tilt options available per cookbook stand means an easier time finding the perfect angle to avoid neck strain.
Design
A cookbook stand can be just as decorative as it is functional. They can come in any number of styles and colors, so find one that complements your kitchen as much as it assists your cooking.
Even the most beautifully designed cookbook stand is useless with an unsteady base. Whether it rests on feet, has rubber grips or is one solid block, make sure your cookbook stand design includes a steady base.
Cookbook stand features
Material
- Plastic: Plastic is the most inexpensive and lightweight option. It trades durability and aesthetic design for maximum ease of use, portability and storage.
- Wood: More common than plastic, the wood used for cookbook stands pairs excellently with wooden cutting boards and other rustic kitchen items. It’s fairly durable, but it’s important to note that wooden cookbook stands are susceptible to water damage.
- Metal: The most durable cookbook stands are made from aluminum, steel and even wrought iron. The heavier the metal, the higher the durability, but the extra weight could be a problem if you like to move your cookbook stand around the kitchen with you.
Page holders
Cookbook pages always seem to turn on their own when you really need them to stay put. Cookbook stands with included page holders are an excellent option for avoiding this issue. These page holders can be anything from simple clips to heavy chains for draping on the page, so select the option you think will work best for your cookbooks.
Splatter shield
A cookbook stand with a splatter shield can be invaluable when cooking dishes that are prone to popping or for avoiding spills. They’re usually made from clear plastic and a hinge to give easy access for page turning.
How much you can expect to spend on a cookbook stand
Cookbook stands run $20-$60. A higher-priced cookbook stand generally means sturdier construction, more durability and extra features like a splatter shield or page holders. Higher-cost cookbook stands also tend to have increased decorativeness.
Cookbook stand FAQ
Do cookbook stands need to be put together?
A. Not usually, as most cookbook stands are one solid piece. Those that require some assembly usually take only a minute or two, and most will state it somewhere on the package. You can also double-check if it needs assembly by scanning customer reviews.
Do I really need a splatter shield?
A. If you don’t care about keeping your cookbooks clean or if you like the well-loved look of a stained cookbook, then no. If you’re using your cookbook stand to prop up a tablet, however, you should use a splatter shield, as liquid-based foods can seep through the edges of your tablet and ruin it.
Which cookbook stand should I get?
Top cookbook stand
Tripar Swirl Design Metal Cookbook Stand
What you need to know: This beautiful, wrought-iron cookbook stand will bring a touch of style to any kitchen.
What you’ll love: The wrought iron makes it very sturdy. The stand is also big enough to hold large cookbooks. Despite its metal frame, it’s actually pretty lightweight.
What you should consider: It might be too big for kitchens with limited counterspace.
Top cookbook stand for the money
What you need to know: This affordable bamboo option is wide enough to hold a wide variety of things besides cookbooks.
What you’ll love: It has five adjustable tilt levels and is very attractive with its cut-out designs. It folds flat, and the dual page holders can swivel out of the way when they’re not needed. You can also use it easily for an iPad, laptop or Kindle.
What you should consider: It’s smaller than some people expected.
Worth checking out
Norpro Acrylic Cookbook Holder
What you need to know: This durable acrylic cookbook stand features an automatic splatter shield for protecting your cookbooks.
What you’ll love: This compact cookbook stand is lightweight and perfect for small spaces.
What you should consider: The vertical angle of this cookbook stand can be too steep for some.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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