Third Rack vs No Third Rack Dishwashers

What a third rack is

A third rack is a shallow, sliding shelf that sits above the upper rack in many built-in and portable dishwashers. It is designed for flat items such as spoons, spatulas, measuring cups, and small bowls that would otherwise crowd a silverware basket or take up room in the upper rack. The rack slides out independently, so you can load and unload it without reaching over the upper rack.

A dishwasher without a third rack uses a silverware basket on the lower rack as the primary utensil holder. That basket may be a single container, a split design, or a caddy with a removable cover. The choice changes how you sort utensils and how much vertical space remains above the upper rack for tall items.

If you are new to dishwasher shopping, start with the third rack explained article and the silverware basket guide before you compare specific models.

Loading capacity and place settings

Capacity is usually stated in place settings and serving pieces. ENERGY STAR defines a standard-capacity dishwasher as one that holds at least eight place settings plus six serving pieces, and a compact model as one that holds fewer than that. A third rack does not change that definition, but it changes how many small items you can fit in a single load.

With a third rack, small items leave the lower and upper racks free for plates, bowls, and pots. Without one, those same items must share the lower rack with the silverware basket, which can reduce the number of plates you fit on that level. If you run daily loads with lots of flatware, the third rack wins.

If you load the dishwasher only a few times a week, the extra slots from a third rack may matter less than the ability to fit a large pot on the lower rack. Compare the place setting number and the rack layout before you decide. See the place settings vs cubic feet article for details.

Utensil storage: flat versus basket

A third rack lays utensils flat, so water reaches every surface and items dry more evenly. Spoons, forks, and spatulas do not nest together, which is the main cause of spots and residue in a basket. Many third racks also include a raised lip or slots that hold small items upright.

A silverware basket holds more bulky utensils: tongs, ladles, whisks, and cooking spoons that cannot fit in a shallow third rack. Some baskets have a removable cover so you can reserve the lower section for knives or for items that need to face downward. If you often hand-wash long or tall utensils, keep that in mind.

A third rack typically has a lower lip, and very long tools may hang over the front and interfere with the door. The third rack vs cutlery basket article compares both approaches in more detail.

Rack space and flexibility

The space above the upper rack is the trade-off. In a dishwasher with a third rack, that space is occupied by the shelf, so the upper rack cannot hold tall glasses or mugs standing upright unless they fit under the third rack's shallow profile.

In a model without a third rack, the upper rack can be positioned higher, and tall items such as stemware, tall mugs, and small pitchers can stand on the upper rack or on the lower rack without the obstruction of a middle shelf.

Some dishwashers combine both ideas: a fold down or removable third rack that you can lift or take out when you need the full height of the upper rack. Those models offer flexibility, but they are less common and may require the same vertical trade-off in the lower position. Read the rack height adjustment article for more.

Which households benefit from each

A third rack suits households that cook often and use many small tools: spatulas, tongs, skewers, measuring spoons, and small lids. It also helps families with children who go through a lot of spoons and forks, because those items can be spread out and cleaned more reliably.

A dishwasher without a third rack suits households that wash large pots, baking sheets, tall glasses, or odd-shaped items. The open space above the upper rack or the extra depth of the lower rack can be the deciding factor for those loads.

If you already own a dishwasher and are replacing it, look at how you actually load the current machine. If the silverware basket fills first, a third rack will help. If you struggle to fit tall items, a third rack may make that worse.

How to decide

Start with your most common load. For every cycle you run, ask what item is hardest to place. If that item is a flat tool or a small bowl, the third rack helps. If it is a tall glass or a large pot, look for a model without a third rack or with a removable one.

Next, compare place settings and internal dimensions. A standard-capacity model holds at least eight place settings plus six serving pieces, but the internal layout decides whether those settings are easy to load. Read the specification sheet and look at the rack diagrams before choosing.

Finally, check the guides for your size and budget. The best 24 inch dishwashers guide lists models with and without a third rack, and the best built-in dishwashers guide covers a wider range of layouts.

What to pick for your use

Questions

Does a third rack reduce the total capacity of a dishwasher?

Not in terms of place settings. A standard-capacity model holds at least eight place settings plus six serving pieces regardless of whether it has a third rack. But the third rack occupies vertical space above the upper rack, so it can reduce how many tall glasses or mugs you fit in a single load. The total number of small items usually increases.

Can I add a third rack to a dishwasher that does not have one?

Most dishwashers with a third rack have a dedicated rail and spray arm designed for it. Retrofitting one into a model without that provision is rarely possible. If you want a third rack, buy a model that includes it from the start.

Are utensils cleaner in a third rack or in a silverware basket?

In general, flat items in a third rack receive better water coverage because they are not nested together. Bulky utensils such as tongs and ladles may still clean better in a basket where they can stand upright. The right answer depends on what you wash most.

Do all 24-inch dishwashers offer a third rack?

No, many 24-inch models still ship with only a lower silverware basket. The availability of a third rack varies by brand and model line. Check the specification sheet or the product images to confirm whether a third rack is included before you buy.