Next to the stove in a Mexican kitchen there is always a crock of tools: the wooden spoon that stirs the beans, the slotted spatula for flipping tortillas on the comal, the ladle for pozole, tongs for the carne asada and the molinillo for hot chocolate. When that crock is too small, too light or too narrow, the tools tangle, it tips when you pull one out, and you end up digging through the drawer with a pan on the heat.
This guide covers eight utensil holders in stoneware, stainless steel, bamboo and plastic, including rotating, divided and weighted designs. We used the makers’ specifications on the Amazon listings and America’s Test Kitchen’s review of utensil crocks. Where a maker says nothing about size, capacity or the dishwasher, we say so.
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Quick verdict: which utensil holder to buy
For most kitchens, buy the Le Creuset Stoneware Utensil Crock, 2.7 Quart. It is heavy stoneware with a wide 6.4-inch opening, the glaze is nonporous according to Le Creuset, and it goes in the dishwasher; ATK rated Le Creuset’s straight-wall stoneware crock Highly Recommended. If you want compartments, choose the OXO Good Grips Adjustable Utensil Holder. For a crock that spins, the Oggi Jumbo Rotating Utensil Holder; for a weighted steel crock in black, the Oggi Jumbo Utensil Crock; and for wood, the Lipper Bamboo Tool Holder.
If your tools are mostly wooden, our guide to the best wooden spoons covers the ones worth keeping in the crock.
Five utensil holders compared
Our five standout picks, one for each kind of counter, with the material and design each maker states. All eight holders are reviewed in full below.
| Utensil holder | Best for | Material | Design (as stated) | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Le Creuset Stoneware Utensil Crock, 2.7 QuartBest overall
|
A heavy crock by the stove | Glazed stoneware | Open crock, 6.4 in wide | View on Amazon |
OXO Good Grips Adjustable Utensil HolderBest divided
|
Sorting long and short tools | Stainless steel | Two removable, hinged dividers | View on Amazon |
Oggi Jumbo Rotating Utensil HolderBest rotating
|
Reaching any tool with one turn | Stainless steel, plastic base | Rotates; removable divider | View on Amazon |
Oggi Jumbo Utensil Crock, BlackBest weighted
|
Heavy tools that tip lighter crocks | Powder-coated steel | Open crock, weighted base | View on Amazon |
Lipper Bamboo Tool HolderBest wood
|
A warm wood look for wooden spoons | Bamboo | Open crock, angled lip | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Sizes, capacity and dishwasher details are as each maker or listing states them; check the listing before you buy.
Our picks for the best utensil holder
These eight holders cover the main choices: a heavy stoneware crock, divided and rotating stainless steel caddies, a weighted steel crock, a bamboo holder, a slim oval holder for tight spots and a three-section plastic caddy. Each pick says who it suits and gives one honest reason to skip it.
1. Le Creuset Stoneware Utensil Crock, 2.7 Quart – Heavy, Wide and Easy to Wash
A utensil crock should be heavy enough not to move when you yank tongs out of it, wide enough that the spoons do not jam, and easy to wipe when salsa splashes it. Le Creuset’s 2.7-quart Signature crock covers all three. It is stoneware, about 6.4 inches across and 6.4 inches tall, and weighs 3.4 pounds, according to the retailer Abt’s specifications for this model.
Le Creuset says the glaze is nonporous, non-reactive and resistant to chips, scratches and stains, and that the glazed surface resists cracking and crazing. A smooth glazed crock is easy to clean, which America’s Test Kitchen counts in a crock’s favor: its testers preferred “crocks with seamless exteriors that were easy to wipe clean or wash.” Abt lists it as dishwasher-safe, with hand washing recommended. It is made in Thailand, per Abt, and comes in white and several Le Creuset colors.
ATK did not test this exact crock. It rated Le Creuset’s Stoneware Signature Straight Wall Utensil Crock Highly Recommended: it “sat securely on the counter,” held 18 utensils, and its “moderately wide opening made it easy to add and remove utensils.” The 2.7-quart crock here is larger than the 1-quart Straight Wall crock Le Creuset also sells on Amazon, and it meets ATK’s guideline of an opening at least 6 inches wide. Like ATK’s pick, it has no divider, so long tools can cross each other.
Why we like it
- 3.4 pounds of stoneware, so it stays put (Abt)
- 6.4-inch opening meets ATK’s 6-inch guideline
- Glaze resists chips, scratches and stains, per Le Creuset
- Dishwasher-safe (Abt)
Key specifications
| Model | 71500350010005 (white) |
|---|---|
| Material | Glazed stoneware |
| Size | 2.7 qt; about 6.4 in wide x 6.4 in tall |
| Capacity (as stated) | Not stated in tools |
| Rotating/divided | No / no |
| Weighted/non-tip | 3.4 lb stoneware (Abt) |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes; hand washing recommended (Abt) |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want one solid crock by the stove that will not tip, wipes clean and survives the dishwasher.
Skip it if you want compartments; tools stand together in one open space.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Heavy and stable
- Wide opening
- Smooth glaze, easy to clean
Cons
- No divider
- Stoneware can break if dropped
- This exact size not tested by ATK
2. OXO Good Grips Adjustable Utensil Holder – Dividers That Fold Into a Shelf
Dividers keep long tools from tangling, but fixed ones waste space. OXO’s adjustable holder has two removable dividers, and OXO says they hinge to make a platform for short tools, so the whisk, the citrus squeezer and the small spatula sit higher instead of sinking to the bottom. Tall walls keep longer tools from jamming, according to OXO.
OXO says it holds more than 16 large-handled tools (the listing title says up to 18), and the stainless steel is fingerprint-proof. It is dishwasher-safe, per OXO, and the removable dividers make it easier to wash than a holder with fixed compartments, which America’s Test Kitchen preferred: “We also preferred dividers that were removable, making the crocks easier to clean.”
That arrangement suits a busy stove. Spoons and spatulas in one section, tongs and the ladle in another, small tools on the shelf. The listing does not give dimensions, and ATK did not review this model, so check the product photos for size before you buy.
Why we like it
- Two removable dividers, per OXO
- Dividers hinge into a platform for short tools
- Holds 16 or more large-handled tools, per OXO
- Dishwasher-safe, per OXO
Key specifications
| Model | 13362300 |
|---|---|
| Material | Stainless steel, fingerprint-proof (maker) |
| Size | Not stated (“Large”) |
| Capacity (as stated) | 16+ large-handled tools; title says up to 18 |
| Rotating/divided | No / two removable, hinged dividers |
| Weighted/non-tip | Not stated |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes (maker) |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if your tools range from long ladles to small whisks and you want each kind in its own place.
Skip it if you want an independent review behind your pick; ATK did not test this one.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Flexible dividers
- Platform for short tools
- Dishwasher-safe
Cons
- Dimensions not listed
- No weighted base stated
3. Oggi Jumbo Rotating Utensil Holder – Spins to the Tool You Need
A rotating holder brings the tool to you, which is handy when one hand is on a pan of sizzling chorizo. Oggi’s jumbo rotating holder is stainless steel, 7 inches across and 7.5 inches tall, on a plastic base that Oggi says sits firmly on the counter as it turns and will not slip, slide or wobble.
The partition inside is removable, according to Oggi, so you can sort tools into sections or take it out to fit more. That matches what America’s Test Kitchen liked in its winning crock, a rotating model whose “handy removable divider” kept handles from tangling. The 7-inch width is above ATK’s 6-inch guideline, which helps big ladles and tongs fit.
Oggi recommends hand washing, so it is not the one for a cook who puts everything in the dishwasher. ATK did not test this model; it recommended a different Oggi jumbo holder, without a turntable, for its wide, sturdy base.
Why we like it
- Rotates on a non-slip base, per Oggi
- Removable divider
- 7-inch opening for large tools
- Stainless steel
Key specifications
| Model | 7210 |
|---|---|
| Material | Stainless steel, plastic base |
| Size | 7 in wide x 7.5 in tall (maker) |
| Capacity (as stated) | Not stated in tools |
| Rotating/divided | Yes / removable divider |
| Weighted/non-tip | Stable base, “won’t slip, slide, or wobble” (maker) |
| Dishwasher-safe | Hand washing recommended |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you keep a lot of tools by the stove and want to turn the crock instead of reaching around it.
Skip it if you want a holder that goes in the dishwasher; Oggi recommends hand washing.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Turns for easy reach
- Wide opening
- Divider comes out
Cons
- Hand wash recommended
- Capacity not stated
4. Oggi Jumbo Utensil Crock, Black – A Weighted Base That Stays Put
Some crocks tip when you lean a cast-iron spoon or a heavy wooden masher against the rim. Oggi gives this jumbo crock a weighted base for stability, and it is 7 inches wide and 6.5 inches tall, according to Oggi, which puts it right in the medium height range America’s Test Kitchen preferred: “between 6½ and 7 inches tall were great at containing tools.”
The finish is a black powder coat that Oggi says will not chip, peel or melt, trimmed with a mirror band. It is the plain, open shape, with no divider, which leaves room for big tools like the potato masher for refried beans. Oggi recommends hand washing and lists a 90-day limited warranty.
America’s Test Kitchen recommended Oggi’s stainless two-tone jumbo holder, saying its “wide base was sturdy on the counter, and it never wobbled,” and that it held 20 utensils, though without dividers they “became easily tangled.” This black, powder-coated jumbo crock comes from the same maker; ATK did not test it.
Why we like it
- Weighted base, per Oggi
- 7 inches wide, 6.5 inches tall
- Powder coat that won’t chip or peel, per Oggi
- Black finish for a dark kitchen
Key specifications
| Model | 7211.3 |
|---|---|
| Material | Powder-coated steel, mirror band |
| Size | 7 in wide x 6.5 in tall (maker) |
| Capacity (as stated) | Not stated in tools |
| Rotating/divided | No / no |
| Weighted/non-tip | Weighted base (maker) |
| Dishwasher-safe | Hand washing recommended |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want a heavy-bottomed crock in black that will not move when you grab a tool in a hurry.
Skip it if tangled handles bother you; there is no divider.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Weighted and stable
- Ideal height by ATK’s measure
- Black finish
Cons
- No divider
- Hand wash recommended
- Short 90-day warranty
5. Lipper Bamboo Tool Holder – Wood for Wooden Spoons
A kitchen full of wooden spoons, a wooden tortilla turner and a carved molinillo can look right in a wooden crock. Lipper’s tool holder is bamboo, 5½ inches across and 8 inches tall, with an angled lip, according to Lipper International. Lipper describes bamboo as a natural and renewable resource.
The tall walls suit long-handled tools, but the opening is narrower than the others here. America’s Test Kitchen’s guideline for round crocks is a diameter of at least 6 inches, and it found that “models with smaller openings fit fewer tools overall”; the bamboo holder it tested from another brand fit only 10 utensils. Expect this one to hold a smaller set: the wooden spoons and a couple of spatulas rather than every tool you own.
It is hand wash only, per Lipper. Dry it after washing and keep it away from the sink, where wood can stay damp. ATK did not test this model.
Why we like it
- Bamboo, a renewable resource, per Lipper
- 8 inches tall for long handles
- Angled lip
- Natural look beside wooden tools
Key specifications
| Model | 8827 |
|---|---|
| Material | Bamboo |
| Size | 5½ in wide x 8 in tall (maker) |
| Capacity (as stated) | Not stated |
| Rotating/divided | No / no |
| Weighted/non-tip | Not stated |
| Dishwasher-safe | No; hand wash only (maker) |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want a wooden crock for a modest set of wooden spoons and spatulas.
Skip it if you keep many tools in one place; the 5½-inch opening is narrower than ATK recommends.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Warm wood look
- Tall walls
- Light and simple
Cons
- Narrow opening
- Hand wash only
- No weighted base stated
6. OXO Good Grips Rotating Utensil Holder – A Spinning Crock With Three Sections
OXO’s rotating holder turns on steel ball bearings and has three compartments, according to OXO, with a tall body and contoured bottom that keep tools upright. OXO says it holds more than 15 large-handled tools and that it is dishwasher-safe, which sets it apart from the Oggi rotating holder above.
America’s Test Kitchen rated it Recommended with Reservations. The good news: “Even when weighed down with utensils, the crock spun on its own.” The bad: it held 17 utensils “but very tightly, making it tricky to remove and replace them,” and the divider is fixed, so it “took up extra space in an already small crock” and makes hand washing harder.
That makes it best for a smaller, well-edited set of tools that you want to spin to and then put in the dishwasher, rather than for the cook who keeps every spoon by the stove.
Why we like it
- Spun easily even when full, per ATK
- Dishwasher-safe, per OXO
- Three compartments
- Steel ball bearings
Key specifications
| Model | 1386400 |
|---|---|
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Size | Not stated in the listing |
| Capacity (as stated) | 15+ large-handled tools; ATK fit 17 tightly |
| Rotating/divided | Yes / three fixed sections |
| Weighted/non-tip | Not stated |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes (maker) |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want a rotating holder that goes in the dishwasher and you keep a modest number of tools.
Skip it if you pack your crock full; ATK found tools hard to pull out when it was.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Smooth rotation
- Dishwasher-safe
- Organized sections
Cons
- Tight when full, per ATK
- Divider not removable
7. OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Utensil Holder – Slim Enough for a Narrow Spot
Not every stove has room beside it for a round crock. OXO’s utensil holder is oval, about 8.4 by 4.75 inches and 6.25 inches tall, according to the listing, and OXO says the shape can sit in a narrow spot or flush against a wall, between the stove and the backsplash or beside the coffee maker.
It holds more than 16 large-handled tools, per OXO, in three compartments, with a contoured bottom that keeps tools upright and a removable drip tray. America’s Test Kitchen rated it Recommended with Reservations and found the end sections held fewer utensils, so where you put bulky tools matters; it noted the holder is dishwasher-safe.
Put the long spoons and the ladle in the center section and the slimmer spatulas at the ends, and it holds a working set of tools in very little counter space.
Why we like it
- Oval shape sits flush with a wall, per OXO
- Holds 16 or more large tools, per OXO
- Removable drip tray
- Dishwasher-safe, per ATK
Key specifications
| Model | 1066734 |
|---|---|
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Size | 8.4 x 4.75 x 6.25 in (listing) |
| Capacity (as stated) | 16+ large-handled tools |
| Rotating/divided | No / three sections |
| Weighted/non-tip | Not stated |
| Dishwasher-safe | Yes (ATK) |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if the space beside your stove is narrow and a round crock would stick out.
Skip it if your tools are bulky; ATK found the end sections hold fewer.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Space-saving oval
- Drip tray comes out
- Dishwasher-safe
Cons
- End sections are small
- No weighted base stated
8. Umbra Bellwood Utensil Holder – Three Heights for Three Kinds of Tools
Umbra’s Bellwood holder is built in three compartments of different heights, according to Umbra, so tall spoons and spatulas, mid-length tools and short ones like the peeler each have their own place. The dividers are removable for cleaning, and the holder is sized to sit on the counter or by the stove.
The body is recycled plastic in white with natural wood accents, per the listing, and it is part of Umbra’s Bellwood collection, which includes a matching paper towel holder and napkin holder if you like a set. Umbra gives a one-year limited warranty.
The listing gives no dimensions, capacity or dishwasher instructions, and America’s Test Kitchen did not review it. It is the lightest-looking holder here, so pair it with lighter tools and check the photos for size.
Why we like it
- Three compartments at different heights
- Removable dividers, per Umbra
- White with wood accents
- One-year limited warranty, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | 1022632-668 |
|---|---|
| Material | Recycled plastic, wood accents (listing) |
| Size | Not stated (“Tall”) |
| Capacity (as stated) | Not stated |
| Rotating/divided | No / three tiers, removable dividers |
| Weighted/non-tip | Not stated |
| Dishwasher-safe | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want a white holder that sorts tools by length and matches other pieces on the counter.
Skip it if you need to know the size and care instructions before buying; the listing does not give them.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Tiered sorting
- Removable dividers
- Matching collection
Cons
- Size and capacity not stated
- Dishwasher use not stated
- No independent review found
How to choose a utensil holder for the stove
Size the opening to your tools
America’s Test Kitchen’s top crocks fit at least 17 utensils, and for round crocks that “meant a diameter of at least 6 inches.” Count the tools you reach for while cooking, not every gadget in the drawer, and leave room to pull one out without lifting three others. A crowded crock is the one that tips.
Height and weight keep it upright
ATK found that “medium-height crocks that were between 6½ and 7 inches tall were great at containing tools.” Taller ones hide short tools; shorter ones let tongs and ladles flop over the rim. Weight matters too: heavy stoneware like the Le Creuset, or a weighted base like Oggi’s, stays put when you pull a heavy spoon out in a hurry.
Rotating or divided
A turntable brings the tool to you; dividers keep handles from tangling. ATK’s favorite combined both, and it preferred removable dividers because they make cleaning easier. Fixed dividers in a small crock, ATK found, take up space you need.
Material and cleaning
Glazed stoneware and stainless steel wipe clean and many go in the dishwasher; check each maker’s note, since some steel crocks are hand wash only. Bamboo and wood need hand washing and drying. ATK preferred “seamless exteriors” and avoided crocks with “perforated walls or tight crannies” where grease collects. Next to the stove, splashes of oil and salsa are a daily thing.
Keep the knives somewhere else
A utensil crock is for spoons, spatulas, tongs and whisks. Knives belong in a block or on a magnetic strip, where their edges are covered and nobody reaches into a crock and finds a blade; our guide to the best knife block covers that.
How we chose these eight holders
We started with America’s Test Kitchen’s current review of utensil crocks, which rated Le Creuset’s straight-wall stoneware crock Highly Recommended, Oggi’s two-tone jumbo holder Recommended and both OXO stainless holders Recommended with Reservations. ATK’s winner, the RSVP Oversized Tool Crock, was not reliably in stock on Amazon when we checked, so it is not here. We added OXO’s adjustable holder, Oggi’s rotating holder, Lipper’s bamboo holder and Umbra’s tiered caddy to cover divided, rotating, wooden and three-tier designs. Specifications come from each Amazon listing and maker, and from the retailer Abt for the Le Creuset crock’s size, weight and dishwasher note; we wrote “Not stated” where sources were silent. Every pick was in stock on Amazon when we checked.
We left out terra-cotta and decorative ceramic crocks whose listings say nothing about the glaze, and lightweight rotating holders that ATK found wobbled. We have not used these holders ourselves, and we did not read Wirecutter, Serious Eats, Consumer Reports or The New York Times for this guide, so we do not quote them.
Utensil holder questions, answered
Which utensil holder does America’s Test Kitchen recommend?
ATK’s winner is the RSVP Oversized Tool Crock, a rotating crock with a removable divider. Its other Highly Recommended picks include Le Creuset’s Stoneware Signature Straight Wall Utensil Crock and a ceramic holder from Williams Sonoma; it recommended Oggi’s stainless two-tone jumbo holder.
What is the best white utensil holder?
The Le Creuset 2.7-quart crock comes in white, and its glaze resists stains, according to Le Creuset, which helps a white crock stay white next to the stove. The Umbra Bellwood is white with wood accents if you want sections.
Is a rotating utensil holder worth it?
It is if you keep many tools in one crock and cook with one hand busy. ATK’s winning crock rotates. Look for one that sits firmly as it turns; ATK did not recommend a rotating model that wobbled as tools went in and out.
How many utensils should a holder fit?
ATK’s top-rated crocks fit at least 17 utensils. Most home cooks reach for fewer than that while cooking, so a crock that holds your everyday tools loosely is better than one packed to the rim.
Where should the utensil holder go?
Beside the stove, on the side of the hand you stir with, and a little back from the burner so handles do not heat up. Keep a spoon rest beside it for the spoon you are using, so it does not go back in the crock dripping sauce.
Our pick for the crock by the stove
Buy the Le Creuset 2.7-quart stoneware crock for a heavy, wide holder that wipes clean, or the OXO Adjustable holder if you want compartments. Choose the Oggi rotating holder to spin to your tools, the black Oggi crock for a weighted steel base, and the Lipper bamboo holder for a small set of wooden tools.
More for the sink and counter: dish racks, sink caddies, soap dispensers, paper towel holders, trash cans, compost bins, Swedish dishcloths.
If you are still building that set of tools, our guide to the best kitchen utensil set covers the spoons, spatulas and tongs worth filling the crock with. And if you would rather we did the cooking, see our menu or call to order.