Dishwasher Drying Rack Accessories: Boost Airflow and Results

Why airflow matters for drying

Drying in a dishwasher depends on how well air can move around each item. When items touch or nest together, water stays trapped between surfaces. This is why flat items like bottle caps and small lids often come out wet: they sit flat against the rack and hold a film of water underneath.

A dishwasher with a heated dry cycle uses a heating element to raise the temperature inside the tub, which helps water evaporate. But if airflow is blocked by crowded loading or by items that sit flush against a surface, even a strong drying cycle cannot reach the trapped water. Add-on drying accessories are designed to break that contact and create air channels around tricky items. ENERGY STAR notes that new certified models include dish rack designs that improve performance, which shows that rack layout is a real part of drying effectiveness.

• Cups and bowls should sit upside down so water can run off.
• Items with concave shapes, like bottle caps, need a tilted position, not flat.
• Small items should not nest inside each other.
• Leave space between items so air can circulate.

Add-on racks for odd items

Add-on racks are small, removable inserts that fit into the upper rack or onto the tines. They are typically made of coated wire or food-grade plastic and are designed to hold items at an angle instead of letting them lie flat. For example, a small rack that clips onto the upper rack can hold bottle caps, squeeze-tops, and small lids upright, so water drains off and air reaches both sides.

These racks are useful for items that normally fall through the rack gaps or sit awkwardly between tines. Baby bottle nipples, pacifiers, and small measuring spoons are common examples. When these items stay in place instead of shifting during the wash, they also get a more consistent spray from the wash arms, which can improve both cleaning and drying.

Before buying an add-on rack, check the spacing of your upper rack tines. Some racks clip onto the tines, while others rest on the rack floor. A rack that fits loosely can slide during the cycle and block the spray arm. Measure the usable width of your upper rack and compare it with the accessory dimensions if the seller lists them, or choose a flexible silicone version that can bend to fit.

Bottle caps and small lids

Bottle caps are one of the most common items that stay wet after a cycle. Their concave shape collects water, and when they sit flat on the rack, the water has nowhere to go. A dedicated bottle-cap holder, often a small tray with slots or prongs, keeps each cap tilted on its edge.

These holders come in two basic styles: a clip-on version for the upper rack and a flat tray that sits on the rack floor. The clip-on style is better for airflow because it suspends the caps above the rack, so water drips down and air moves around them. A flat tray works but should have drainage holes so water does not pool in the tray.

If you wash a lot of bottle caps, look for a holder that can be repositioned, so it does not block the upper spray arm. Also, wash caps with the dishwasher detergent dispenser closed and set them in the holder after loading other items, so they do not get knocked loose by the spray.

Standing mats for drying

A standing mat, sometimes called a drying mat or drain tray, is a flat silicone or plastic mat with raised ridges or small drainage holes. It sits on the counter or on an open rack area and gives odd items a stable spot to dry. Silicone versions are heat-resistant and can also be used to hold items after the cycle finishes, which is helpful for items that need extra air drying.

In the dishwasher, a standing mat can be placed on the upper rack to create a level surface for items that do not fit between tines, such as small ramekins or measuring cups. The ridges keep items slightly elevated, so water does not pool underneath. This is the same idea as a bottle-cap holder, but for slightly larger items.

Standing mats are especially useful for countertop and portable dishwashers, where rack space is limited. Since these models often have shorter cycle times, items may not get as much drying time, so using a mat to keep items separate can make a real difference. If you have a compact dishwasher, consider a mat that can be trimmed or folded to fit the rack. See our guide to compact models for more on fitting accessories into small tubs: countertop dishwashers.

Matching the accessory to your dishwasher

The biggest mistake people make with drying accessories is buying one that does not fit their rack layout. A third rack, for instance, changes how the upper rack is spaced. If your dishwasher has a third rack, you may already have a dedicated area for small items, and an add-on rack might not be needed. Read more about how third racks change loading: third rack explained.

For dishwashers without a third rack, an add-on rack that sits in the upper rack is usually the best fit. It does not reduce the lower rack space, where larger pots and plates go, and it keeps small items away from the heating element at the bottom. Avoid placing add-on racks in the lower rack near the spray arm, because they can block the water jets.

Tall-tub dishwashers have more vertical space in the upper rack, so a taller add-on rack or a multi-tiered holder can fit without crowding. Low-profile and drawer dishwashers have less vertical room, so a flat mat or a low-profile clip-on rack is a better choice. Check the rack height adjustment options on your model before buying a tall accessory. For how to adjust racks, see rack height adjustment.

Combining accessories with drying options

Drying accessories work best when your dishwasher has a good drying system to begin with. A heated dry cycle, which uses a heating element to warm the tub, is the most effective at evaporating water from items that are angled properly by an accessory. ENERGY STAR dishwashers can boost water temperatures during the cycle, which also helps the dishes come out warmer and dry faster.

Condensation drying, common on many European-style models like those from Bosch, uses the heat from the last rinse to dry dishes passively. This method is gentler on plastics but leaves more water on items that trap it, which is exactly where a bottle-cap holder or a standing mat helps. If you have a Bosch dishwasher and want to improve drying, see our guide to Bosch dishwashers.

A vent or a fan-assisted dry cycle moves humid air out of the tub, which speeds up evaporation. If your model has an auto-open door feature, the door pops open at the end of the cycle to let steam escape. In that case, accessories that keep small items elevated are even more effective, because the burst of room air can reach the underside of the items. Learn more about the different drying technologies: vented heated dry vs condensation dry.

What to pick for your use

Questions

Do add-on drying racks work in any dishwasher?

Most add-on racks are designed to fit standard-width upper racks, but you should check the spacing of your tines and the height available. Flexible silicone versions are easier to fit than rigid wire ones. If you have a compact or drawer model, measure the interior width before buying.

Can I use a standing mat to dry items after the cycle ends?

Yes. A silicone standing mat can be removed from the dishwasher and placed on the counter to finish drying items that still have water on them. This is a simple way to improve results without changing how the dishwasher runs.

Will a bottle-cap holder block the spray arm?

It can if you place it directly under the spray arm or in a spot where it protrudes upward. Clip-on holders that mount on the side of the upper rack are safer. Always check that the accessory does not interfere with the rotation of the spray arms during the cycle.

Do I need a drying accessory if my dishwasher has a third rack?

Usually not. A third rack already provides a dedicated area for small items, which means bottle caps and lids can be laid flat or angled between the tines. But if your third rack is too shallow for items like squeeze-tops, a low-profile add-on rack can still help. See the third rack guide for more.

What items should I not put in a drying accessory?

Items that are not dishwasher-safe, such as wooden utensils, some plastics that melt at high heat, and items with glued parts, should not go in any rack accessory. Also avoid putting very small items that could fall through the gaps of an add-on rack and damage the wash pump.

Can I use a drying mat in a portable dishwasher?

Yes. Portable and countertop models benefit from a standing mat because they have limited rack space. A small mat with drainage holes can be placed on the upper rack to hold odd items, and it can also be used on the counter afterward. Check the width of the upper rack first.