Bakeware & Baking Tools

Stainless or Nonstick? Choosing the Best Cooling Rack

Nine cooling racks compared on half-sheet fit, stainless or nonstick, grid, oven rating and stacking, for pan dulce, churros and oven roasting.

Two crusty bread loaves cooling on a silver wire rack
Two loaves cooling on a wire rack, with air reaching the underside.

Pan dulce does not finish in the oven. Conchas need a few minutes off the hot sheet before the sugar topping sets, polvorones are too soft to move until they cool, and a tray of bolillos left on a solid pan steams its own bottoms soft. A wire cooling rack fixes all of that by letting air reach the underside. Set inside a rimmed sheet pan, the same rack holds churros while the oil drips off, and goes into the oven so chicken thighs or a slab of carnitas crisp on every side instead of stewing in their fat.

Most racks look alike in a photo, so this guide sorts them by what actually differs: whether the rack fits a standard half sheet, whether it is bare stainless steel or coated, how tight the grid is, how hot the maker says it can go, and whether it stands on feet or stacks. Nine racks are below. Every oven temperature and coating claim is the maker’s own, taken from the listing, and America’s Test Kitchen’s wire-rack review is cited where it applies.

Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a restaurant kitchen looks for, product specifications and verified buyer reports.

Quick verdict: which cooling rack to buy

For most kitchens, buy the Checkered Chef Cooling Rack, Half Sheet, 2-Pack. It is uncoated stainless steel with a tight crosshatch grid, and it is America’s Test Kitchen’s top-rated wire rack, which the review calls “sturdy” and says “fits nicely inside our favorite baking sheet.” If you roast hot, the Ultra Cuisine Cooling and Baking Rack Set is rated to 575°F. For a coated rack that releases sticky glazes, the USA Pan Half Sheet Bakeable Cooling Rack; for a big baking day on a small counter, the Checkered Chef Stackable Cooling Racks, 3-Tier.

If you still need the pan underneath, our guide to the best baking sheets covers the half sheets these racks are sized for.

Five cooling racks at a glance

Our five standout picks, one for each kind of baker, with the size, material and oven rating each maker states. All nine racks are reviewed in full below.

Cooling rack Best for Size & fit Material Oven-safe (as stated) Buy on Amazon
Cooling, roasting and broiling 17 x 11¾ in, half sheet Stainless steel, uncoated Yes, including broiling; no figure View on Amazon
High-heat oven work 16.5 x 11.5 x 1 in, half sheet 304 (18/8) stainless steel Up to 575°F View on Amazon
A single rack for one pan 11.5 x 16.5 in, half sheet 304 (18/8) stainless steel Up to 575°F View on Amazon
Glazes and sticky pastries Half sheet, six raised feet Steel, silicone nonstick coating Up to 450°F View on Amazon
Big batches, small counters Three 16 x 10 in racks Stainless steel, black finish Oven use stated; no figure View on Amazon

Product images from Amazon. Oven temperatures and coating claims are as stated by each maker; check the listing before you buy.

Our picks for the best cooling rack

Six of these nine racks are bare stainless steel, which can go from the counter to a hot oven and under the broiler without a coating to worry about. Three are coated with nonstick, which releases sugar glazes and melted cheese more easily but carries a temperature limit. Each pick lists the size, the grid, the feet and the oven rating its maker states, plus one honest reason to skip it.

1. Checkered Chef Cooling Rack, Half Sheet, 2-Pack – Sturdy Grid That Fits the Pan

Best overallCheckered Chef Cooling Racks for Cooking and Baking - Cooling Wire Rack

This is the rack America’s Test Kitchen rates first in its wire-rack review, where the testers called it “sturdy,” noted an extra support bar, and said it “performed well and was quite durable.” Checkered Chef sells it in a two-pack, so one rack can cool a tray of polvorones while the other sits in a sheet pan in the oven.

The listing gives the size as 17 x 11¾ inches, to fit a standard half sheet, and ATK measured its rack at about ⅝ inch tall, the low profile the review prefers because food stays inside the pan’s rim under the broiler. The grid is a tight crosshatch, which matters for small things: a cut churro or a polvorón will not drop between parallel bars.

It is stainless steel with no coating, which Checkered Chef says is safe for roasting and broiling as well as cooling, and dishwasher safe. ATK’s one reservation was that it has slightly more play in the pan than some other racks, so it can shift a little when you slide the pan out.

Why we like it

  • America’s Test Kitchen’s top-rated wire rack.
  • Uncoated stainless steel, rated by the maker for broiling.
  • Tight crosshatch grid for small baked goods.
  • Sold as a two-pack in the half-sheet size.

Key specifications

Model 8541884341 (half sheet, 2-pack)
Size 17 x 11¾ in (listing); ATK measured 16½ x 11½ x ⅝ in
Fits half sheet? Yes, per maker
Material/coating Stainless steel, uncoated
Grid pattern Tight crosshatch
Oven-safe (as stated) Yes, for roasting and broiling; no temperature given
Feet/stackable Not stated; not stackable
Dishwasher safe Yes, per maker

Why we recommend it

Buy it if you want one kind of rack for cooling, roasting and the broiler, sized for the half sheets most home cooks own. It has the strongest outside endorsement of any rack here.

Skip it if you want a stated oven temperature on the box; Checkered Chef says the rack is oven safe but does not give a figure.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Top pick in ATK’s wire-rack review.
  • No coating to chip or limit heat.
  • Low profile keeps food inside the pan rim.

Cons

  • ATK found slightly more play in the pan than other racks.
  • No oven temperature stated.

Check price on Amazon

2. Ultra Cuisine Cooling and Baking Rack Set – Rated to 575°F

Best for roastingUltra Cuisine Cooling and Baking Rack Set - Cooling Racks -11.5'' x16.5''

Ultra Cuisine makes this two-pack from 304 (18/8) stainless steel and states the highest oven rating in this guide, 575°F. That covers a hot oven for roasting poblanos and tomatoes for salsa, or crisping oven carnitas on a rack so the fat runs into the pan below.

Each rack measures 16.5 x 11.5 x 1 inch and is designed for a 13 x 18-inch half sheet pan. The maker describes a heavy-duty grid with small holes and smooth edges, and the full inch of height gives more air underneath for cooling. The trade-off is that a taller rack sits closer to the rim of the pan; ATK’s review preferred about ⅝ inch for broiling and marked down a 1-inch rack from another brand for sitting too high.

The racks are dishwasher safe. Ultra Cuisine says plainly that they are not stackable for storage, so plan on two flat racks in a drawer or on edge beside the sheet pans.

Why we like it

  • Oven-safe to 575°F, the highest rating here.
  • 304 (18/8) stainless steel, uncoated.
  • Two racks sized for a 13 x 18-inch half sheet.
  • Dishwasher safe.

Key specifications

Model 115-125-2pc
Size 16.5 x 11.5 x 1 in, set of 2
Fits half sheet? Yes, 13 x 18 in pans
Material/coating 304 (18/8) stainless steel, uncoated
Grid pattern Tight wire grid, small holes
Oven-safe (as stated) Up to 575°F
Feet/stackable 1 in tall; not stackable, per maker
Dishwasher safe Yes

Why we recommend it

It suits cooks who use the rack in the oven as often as on the counter, and want a stated high-heat rating from the maker.

Skip it if you broil often in a shallow pan; at 1 inch tall, food sits nearer the rim than on a low rack.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • 575°F oven rating.
  • Two racks in the set.
  • Tall feet leave room for air underneath.

Cons

  • Taller than ATK’s preferred height for broiling.
  • Does not stack for storage.

Check price on Amazon

3. Spring Chef Stainless Steel Cooling Rack, 11.5 x 16.5-inch – A Snug Half-Sheet Fit

Runner-upSpring Chef 11.5" x 16.5" Stainless Steel Cooling Rack for Cooking & Baking

Spring Chef sells this single rack in solid 304 (18/8) stainless steel with no plating or coating, and rates it oven safe to 575°F. It stands on four raised feet, and the maker says it fits half sheet pans and cookie sheets with an interior of at least 12 x 17.1 inches.

America’s Test Kitchen lists a Spring Chef half-sheet cooling rack among its recommended racks, praising its three support bars, tight fit and good height. The same review reports that one of three units it received arrived warped, which is worth knowing: check the rack on a flat counter when it arrives.

The grid is spaced tightly enough, Spring Chef says, that food will not fall through, which suits a sheet of conchas or a batch of cut churros. It is dishwasher safe. Buy it if you want one good stainless rack for the pan you already own rather than a set.

Why we like it

  • Recommended by America’s Test Kitchen.
  • 304 stainless steel, oven safe to 575°F.
  • Four raised feet for airflow.
  • Dishwasher safe.

Key specifications

Model 8541884315
Size 11.5 x 16.5 in, single rack
Fits half sheet? Yes, pans with a 12 x 17.1 in or larger interior
Material/coating 304 (18/8) stainless steel, uncoated
Grid pattern Tight grid
Oven-safe (as stated) Up to 575°F
Feet/stackable 4 raised feet; not stackable
Dishwasher safe Yes

Why we recommend it

It is a straightforward stainless rack with a high stated oven rating and an independent recommendation behind it, for a cook who needs just one.

Skip it if you want two racks at once; this listing is a single rack.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • ATK-recommended maker and design.
  • 575°F rating, uncoated steel.
  • Clear minimum pan size from the maker.

Cons

  • ATK received one warped unit out of three.
  • Single rack only.

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4. USA Pan Half Sheet Bakeable Cooling Rack – Nonstick on Six Feet

Best nonstickUSA Pan Half Sheet Bakeable Cooling Rack

USA Pan coats this steel rack with its Americoat silicone nonstick coating, which the maker describes as PFAS, PTFE, PFOA and BPA free. The point of a coated rack is release: glazed pan dulce, sugared polvorones or anything brushed with piloncillo syrup lifts off more easily than from bare wire.

The rack has a tight crosswire design and six raised feet, which USA Pan says add stability and even cooling, and it is sized for a half sheet. USA Pan rates it oven safe to 450°F, enough for most baking and roasting but below the uncoated stainless racks above.

The coating sets the limits. ATK left nonstick racks out of its review because they “wouldn’t be safe to use under the broiler,” so keep this one for cooling and moderate oven work. Follow USA Pan’s care directions for the coating rather than scrubbing it with steel wool.

Why we like it

  • Silicone-based nonstick coating for easy release.
  • Six raised feet for stability.
  • Oven safe to 450°F, per maker.
  • Limited lifetime warranty, per listing.

Key specifications

Model 1602CR-6
Size Half sheet (exact dimensions not stated on listing)
Fits half sheet? Yes, per maker
Material/coating Steel with Americoat silicone nonstick coating
Grid pattern Tight crosswire
Oven-safe (as stated) Up to 450°F
Feet/stackable 6 raised feet; not stackable
Dishwasher safe Not stated on listing

Why we recommend it

It is the coated rack to buy if sticking is your main problem, from a bakeware maker that states its coating, its feet and its temperature limit plainly.

Skip it if you broil on a rack; ATK’s guidance is to keep nonstick racks away from the broiler.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Easy release for sugary glazes.
  • Stable on six feet.
  • Coating described in detail by the maker.

Cons

  • 450°F limit and not for the broiler.
  • Exact dimensions not on the listing.

Check price on Amazon

Chocolate chip cookies cooling on a black wire rack on a gray counter
Cookies cooling on a black wire rack with a tight grid.

5. Checkered Chef Stackable Cooling Racks, 3-Tier – Three Racks, One Footprint

Best stackableCheckered Chef Stackable Cooling Racks - 3-Tier Foldable Steel

When a baking day means three trays of polvorones and a batch of conchas, counter space runs out before rack space does. This Checkered Chef set gives you three 16 x 10-inch racks that stack into a tower, so three trays cool in the footprint of one.

Each rack has folding legs that collapse flat, and Checkered Chef says the set slides into a drawer when the baking is done. The maker describes the racks as heavy-gauge stainless steel, sold in a black finish, and says they suit oven roasting as well as cooling, though it gives no temperature. It also says the 16 x 10-inch size fits standard half sheet pans; at that size the rack will sit inside a half sheet with room to spare rather than filling it.

This is a newer listing than most here, and the maker does not explain what gives the steel its black color. Treat the stack as a counter tool for cooling, and use a full-size rack like pick 1 or 2 inside the sheet pan for oven work.

Why we like it

  • Three racks stack to save counter space.
  • Legs fold flat for storage.
  • Stainless steel, per maker.
  • From the maker of ATK’s top-rated rack.

Key specifications

Model CC-CR-STACKABLE-3
Size Three racks, 16 x 10 in each
Fits half sheet? Maker says yes; smaller than the pan
Material/coating Stainless steel, black finish (finish not described)
Grid pattern Wire grid; spacing not stated
Oven-safe (as stated) Oven use stated; no temperature given
Feet/stackable Folding legs; stacks 3 high
Dishwasher safe Maker mentions dishwasher cycles

Why we recommend it

It suits anyone who bakes in batches for parties or the holidays and has one small stretch of counter to cool on.

Skip it if you want a rack to fill a half sheet pan in the oven; these are smaller and their heat rating is not stated.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Triples cooling space without more counter.
  • Folds flat.
  • Three racks in one box.

Cons

  • No oven temperature given.
  • Black finish not explained by the maker.
  • Newer listing with less buyer history.

Check price on Amazon

6. Last Confection Stainless Steel Baking & Cooling Rack, 12 x 17-inch – Made to Fill a Half Sheet

Best fit for half sheetsLast Confection Stainless Steel Baking & Cooling Rack - 12" x 17" (Fits Half Sheet Pan) - Cookie Baker's Oven Wire Rack

Last Confection makes this rack from #304 stainless steel with no plating or coating, and sizes it at 12 x 17 inches to fit inside a standard half sheet tray, which is slightly larger than most racks here. A bigger rack fills more of the pan, so fewer churros or chicken pieces end up hanging over the gap at the edge.

The maker says it paid attention to cross-bar supports, feet height and grid spacing for air circulation, and rates the rack oven safe to 575°F. It is dishwasher safe. Last Confection sells the same rack in 10 x 15-inch and quarter-sheet sizes, which helps if you also bake on a jelly roll pan or a toaster-oven tray.

The listing does not give the feet height or the number of support bars, so you cannot compare it against ATK’s preferred ⅝-inch profile from the listing alone. The warranty stated on the listing is 90 days, shorter than some.

Why we like it

  • 12 x 17 inches, sized to fill a half sheet.
  • #304 stainless steel, no coating.
  • Oven safe to 575°F, per maker.
  • Also sold in smaller sizes.

Key specifications

Model PAN-RACK50
Size 12 x 17 in, single rack
Fits half sheet? Yes, per maker
Material/coating #304 stainless steel, uncoated
Grid pattern Grid; spacing not stated
Oven-safe (as stated) Up to 575°F
Feet/stackable Feet, height not stated; not stackable
Dishwasher safe Yes

Why we recommend it

Choose it if you want a stainless rack that covers as much of a half sheet as possible, for roasting and draining as much as cooling.

Skip it if your half sheet has a smaller interior than standard; measure the inside of the pan before you buy a 12 x 17-inch rack.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Larger rack fills the pan.
  • 575°F rating.
  • Range of sizes from the same maker.

Cons

  • Feet height not stated.
  • 90-day warranty on the listing.

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7. Nordic Ware Oven Safe Nonstick Baking & Cooling Grid, Half Sheet – Nests in Nordic Ware Pans

Best for Nordic Ware pansNordic Ware 43343 Oven Safe Nonstick Baking & Cooling Grid (1/2 Sheet)

Nordic Ware’s half sheet is one of the most common pans in home kitchens, and this grid is made to nest in it. If that is your pan, the fit question is answered before you buy. Nordic Ware suggests it for crisping vegetables, pizza and bacon in the oven, and for cooling baked goods on the counter.

The grid is steel with a nonstick coating that Nordic Ware says is heat safe to 400°F, the lowest oven rating in this guide. That is fine for cooling, warming and moderate roasting, but too low for a hot oven or the broiler. The listing notes a five-year warranty.

The listing does not describe the grid spacing, the feet or dishwasher care, so follow the instructions in the box for the coating. For a bare-metal Nordic Ware pan and rack sold together, our guide to the best baking pan and rack covers the sets.

Why we like it

  • Made to nest in Nordic Ware’s half sheet.
  • Nonstick coating for easy release.
  • Five-year warranty, per listing.

Key specifications

Model 43343
Size Half sheet (exact dimensions not stated on listing)
Fits half sheet? Yes, nests in Nordic Ware’s half sheet
Material/coating Steel, nonstick coating
Grid pattern Grid; spacing not stated
Oven-safe (as stated) Coating heat safe to 400°F
Feet/stackable Not stated
Dishwasher safe Not stated on listing

Why we recommend it

It is the simple choice for anyone who already bakes on Nordic Ware half sheets and wants a coated grid that fits them.

Skip it if you roast above 400°F or broil; an uncoated stainless rack is the better tool for that.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Known fit with a popular pan.
  • Coated for release.
  • Long warranty.

Cons

  • 400°F limit, lowest here.
  • Few details on the listing.

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8. OXO Good Grips Non-Stick Pro Ceramic Coated Cooling & Baking Rack – Handles for Lifting

Best with handlesOXO Good Grips Non-Stick Pro Ceramic Coated Cooling & Baking Rack

OXO’s rack has a ceramic nonstick coating and expanded wire handles at the ends, which make it easier to lift a full rack out of a pan or move cooled cookies to the counter without touching them. OXO says the edges are reinforced for the trip from oven to counter and that the legs are made to fit most standard half sheet pans.

The ceramic coating gives a smooth surface that OXO says releases cookies and cakes cleanly and wipes clean easily. The listing gives the size as 20.3 x 11.5 inches, which appears to include the handles. It does not state an oven temperature for this ceramic version, so check the packaging before you put it in a hot oven.

As with every coated rack, ATK’s caution about nonstick under the broiler applies. Use it for cooling and baking, and keep a stainless rack for broiling.

Why we like it

  • Wire handles for lifting a full rack.
  • Ceramic nonstick coating, per maker.
  • Legs sized for standard half sheet pans.

Key specifications

Model 11427600
Size 20.3 x 11.5 in (listing; appears to include handles)
Fits half sheet? Yes, most standard half sheets, per maker
Material/coating Steel with ceramic nonstick coating
Grid pattern Wire grid
Oven-safe (as stated) Not stated on listing
Feet/stackable Legs; not stackable
Dishwasher safe Not stated on listing; wipe clean

Why we recommend it

It suits bakers who move whole racks of cookies around and want handles to hold, with a coating for release.

Skip it if you need a stated oven temperature; the listing does not give one for this model.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Handles at both ends.
  • Reinforced edges.
  • Easy-release ceramic surface.

Cons

  • No oven temperature on the listing.
  • Coating rules out the broiler.

Check price on Amazon

9. Wilton Gold Non-Stick Cooling Grid, 16 x 10-inch – Light Grid for Decorating

Best for decoratingWilton Gold Non-Stick Cooling Grid

Wilton’s cooling grid is a nonstick steel rack with extended handles, made for cooling and decorating rather than heavy roasting. At 16 x 10 inches it suits a tray of cookies or a cake layer, and the nonstick surface lets a glaze or icing drip through without welding the cake to the wires.

Wilton says the coating is made without PFAS, is scratch resistant and dishwasher safe, and rates the grid oven safe to 450°F. The maker also says the coating helps it resist warping. It is a lighter, simpler rack than the stainless picks above.

The listing does not say whether it fits inside a half sheet pan, and its feet and grid spacing are not described. Wilton’s three-tier stacking version was not reliably in stock when we checked, so this single grid is the Wilton to consider.

Why we like it

  • Nonstick coating made without PFAS, per Wilton.
  • Oven safe to 450°F.
  • Extended handles.
  • Dishwasher safe.

Key specifications

Model 2105-6813
Size 16 x 10 in
Fits half sheet? Not stated
Material/coating Steel, nonstick coating made without PFAS (maker)
Grid pattern Grid; spacing not stated
Oven-safe (as stated) Up to 450°F
Feet/stackable Not stated; not stackable
Dishwasher safe Yes

Why we recommend it

It is a light, easy-release grid for cookie trays and cake layers, from a maker known for decorating supplies.

Skip it if you want a rack to sit inside a half sheet in the oven; the listing does not confirm the fit.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Easy release for icing and glaze.
  • Dishwasher safe.
  • Handles for moving it.

Cons

  • Half-sheet fit not stated.
  • Not for the broiler.

Check price on Amazon

How to choose a cooling rack for baking and roasting

A cooling rack is a simple object, but a poor one sags under a pan of bolillos, rocks in the sheet pan, or drops half the churros through the gaps. These are the details that separate a rack you keep for years from one you replace.

Iced black-and-white cookies laid out on a gold-colored wire cooling rack
Iced cookies setting on a wire rack.

Match the rack to your sheet pan

Most home bakers use a half sheet pan, about 13 x 18 inches outside. Racks sold for half sheets run from about 16 x 10 inches to 12 x 17 inches, and the bigger ones fill the pan more completely. Measure the inside of your pan before you order a 12 x 17-inch rack; a rack that is a little too big will not sit flat. Our guide to the best baking sheets lists the sizes of the common half sheets.

Bare stainless steel or a nonstick coating

Uncoated stainless steel can go into a hot oven and under the broiler, and there is no coating to chip. That is why ATK’s review tested only plain or chrome-plated stainless racks and left out nonstick, which it said “wouldn’t be safe to use under the broiler.” Nonstick racks release sugary glazes and melted cheese more easily, and work well for cooling. If you will use the rack in the oven, check the maker’s temperature limit: in this guide they run from 400°F to 450°F for coated racks, against 575°F for the stainless racks that state one.

A tight grid

A crosshatch grid with small squares supports small, soft things such as polvorones, cut churros and roasted chile strips. Racks with only parallel bars let them sag or fall through; ATK excluded parallel-bar racks for that reason. Every rack in this guide has a grid.

Height, feet and support bars

A rack needs enough height for air to reach the bottom of whatever is cooling, but inside a sheet pan in the oven a lower rack keeps food below the rim. ATK aimed for about ⅝ inch and wanted at least three support bars underneath so a heavy load does not sag. Taller racks, such as the 1-inch Ultra Cuisine, give more air underneath on the counter.

Storage and stacking

Flat racks store on edge beside the sheet pans. If you bake in big batches on a small counter, a stacking set such as the Checkered Chef 3-tier triples your cooling space; the folding legs then let it lie flat in a drawer.

Cleaning

Baked-on sugar is the hard part. America’s Test Kitchen’s method is to soak the rack upside down in warm, soapy water in a rimmed sheet pan, then scrub gently “in the direction in which the wires run.” Stainless racks that the maker calls dishwasher safe can also go in the dishwasher; follow the maker’s directions for coated ones.

How we chose these nine racks

We started with the brands home bakers ask about most, including Nordic Ware, Checkered Chef, Ultra Cuisine, Wilton, USA Pan, Last Confection, Spring Chef and OXO, and checked each one through the Amazon product data to confirm it was in stock and to read the maker’s own size, material, coating and temperature claims. We used America’s Test Kitchen’s wire-rack review for independent findings on fit, height and durability, and its advice on nonstick racks under the broiler. We left out racks from unidentified sellers, racks with only parallel bars, and listings that were out of stock or in short supply, including Wilton’s three-tier rack and the Fat Daddio’s half-sheet rack ATK recommends.

We have not used these racks ourselves. Where a maker does not state an oven temperature, a size or a dishwasher rating, the specifications say “Not stated” rather than guess.

Four sesame and seeded bagels on a black wire cooling rack, seen from above
Seeded bagels cooling on a crosshatch wire rack.

Cooling rack questions, answered

What cooling rack does America’s Test Kitchen recommend?

ATK’s top-rated wire rack is the Checkered Chef half-sheet cooling rack, pick 1 here, which it found sturdy, durable and a good fit in its favorite baking sheet. It also lists a Checkered Chef quarter-sheet rack and a Fat Daddio’s half-sheet rack among its highest-rated, and recommends racks from Spring Chef and Mrs. Anderson’s, among others.

What is the best type of cooling rack?

For most kitchens, an uncoated stainless steel rack with a tight crosshatch grid, sized to fit a half sheet pan. It cools on the counter, goes into a hot oven and can be used under the broiler. A nonstick rack is a reasonable second rack for glazes and decorating.

Can a cooling rack go in the oven?

Only if the maker says so, and only up to the temperature it states. The stainless racks in this guide that give a figure are rated to 575°F; the coated racks range from 400°F to 450°F, and ATK advises keeping nonstick racks out from under the broiler. Thin chrome-plated racks sold only for cooling may not be oven safe at all.

Why cool pan dulce and cookies on a rack instead of the pan?

A hot sheet pan keeps cooking the bottoms, and steam trapped under bread or cookies on a solid surface softens them. On a rack, air reaches the underside, so conchas, polvorones and bolillos cool evenly. For storing them once they are cool, see our guide to the best bread box.

Can I use a cooling rack to drain fried churros?

Yes. Set a rack inside a rimmed sheet pan and lay the churros on it so the oil drips into the pan instead of pooling under them, which keeps them crisper than paper towels alone. Roll them in cinnamon sugar while they are still warm. Our guide to the best churro maker covers the dough side.

A hand placing a muffin among others on a black wire cooling rack with raised feet
Muffins cooling on a rack that stands on raised feet.

The rack we’d set out on baking day

Buy the Checkered Chef Cooling Rack, Half Sheet, 2-Pack for a sturdy stainless rack that fits the pan and goes from counter to broiler. Choose the Ultra Cuisine set if you want a stated 575°F rating, the USA Pan rack for a coated surface, or the Checkered Chef stacking set if counter space is short.

A rack works best with the rest of a baking setup: a silicone baking mat for the pan, a flour container for the pantry and an oven thermometer to check the heat. If you would rather we did the cooking, see our menu or call to order.

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