Types of cutlery trays and the rules for their selection

Proper organization of the kitchen involves careful placement of all kitchen utensils in drawers and shelves. This not only saves space, but also turns ordinary cooking into an exciting process. Therefore, each housewife seeks to provide in the kitchen the presence of special trays for various tableware. Such devices are available in different types, differ in functionality, design and price.

The cutlery tray is a small box, the design of which consists of separate sections for storing a specific type of appliance. Usually such accessories have from 4 to 6 sections and differ in dimensions, which allows them to be easily selected to fit the size of the kitchen box. The width of these devices can be from 30 to 90 cm, height - from 15 to 30 cm, and depth - from 40 to 60 cm.

For spacious kitchens equipped with roomy modules, usually purchased bunk trays.

Such an organizer for kitchen utensils has many advantages, the main of which include ergonomics. Thanks to this simple adaptation, each housewife had the opportunity to reliably hide from prying eyes forks, spoons and other appliances, and when setting the table they do not need to be looked for, as they are always at hand.

In addition to the storage and packaging of the kitchen "small things", these trays cope with another important task - serve as a place for drying appliances. As for the minuses, they are not, except for the high prices for individual models made of high quality materials.

Today trays for kitchen appliances are presented on the market in a huge range and differ among themselves by many indicators. So, depending on the design features of the containers are divided into the following types.

• Straight lines. This is a traditional version, when a container for storing devices is placed in the rectangular compartments of floor-standing modules (canisters and cabinets). To get a fork or spoon, just open the sliding box "for yourself."

• Corner. Such models are installed in a box located in trapezoid or L-shaped cabinets - the inner corner compartment allows active use of unused kitchen space. Often such trays have a special distributor for a specific type of devices and a stand for knives. If the kitchen does not have a separate place under the dryer, then trays are recommended to be put in boxes under the sink. In this case, a water collection pan is installed under them.

• Carousel system. They can be installed in modules of various designs, but the best option is angular. The insert under the tray is attached to the side walls of the cabinet and extends when it is opened.

Since a box designed to house a tray with tableware, consists of a body (without an upper wall), a facade and a system of guides, it is important to pay attention to the type of furniture guides before buying a tray. There are lockers with telescopic (ball) and roller mechanism.

As for telescopic mechanism then it allows you to fully open the drawer and place large trays in it.

Containers for cutlery, depending on the destination are divided into the following types.

• Narrow and long. They are used to store spatulas, ladles and knives.
• Large. They are used to accommodate forks and spoons. Also on sale is a double tray, in which the compartments are placed in 2 tiers.
• Little ones. Represent a compact liner in the box to accommodate dessert forks and teaspoons.

In addition, these trays differ between themselves and the material of manufacture.

• Metal. Stainless steel products are characterized by a long service life. They are resistant to cleaning with detergents, not afraid of the negative effects of water. The only disadvantage of these devices is that the metal insert, when unfolding or removing the kitchen appliances, makes a noise.
• Tree. Accessories from the natural array look elegant and expensive. They are usually purchased for long-term storage devices. The wooden tray is not suitable for daily use, because the massif quickly absorbs moisture, it deforms and undergoes the formation of fungus.
• Plastic. These accessories are most in demand among hostesses. This is due to their low price, ease of construction and high durability. Plastic containers are resistant to detergents, are not afraid of fat and moisture. They are produced most often with a lower plastic grill, equipped with a tray for draining water.

In addition to the above options, you can find on sale and extravagant models of trays with the original finish in the form of velvet and velveteen. But they are not practical and are purchased, as a rule, for storage of collection devices.

Also trays can be integral (without holes for ventilation) and trellised.

Despite the fact that the market is represented by a huge selection of trays for storing cutlery, the hostesses prefer only reliable manufacturers, whose products have received many positive reviews. The most popular models include the following copies.

• Telescopic box-tray made of wood from the German manufacturer Kesper. The product is made in the original style, its design provides for the possibility of increasing the width from 35 to 58 cm. For this, an additional compartment is installed. Kitchen fixture made of wood, painted in a beige tint. The weight of the tray is small and is 1.8 kg. The main advantage of the model is considered to be a comfortable and roomy design, the disadvantage is not suitable for storing wet instruments.

• Telescopic sliding tray with adjustable width - “Variera”. The product is an original stand for devices, which, if necessary, can be moved apart and widen in width from 33 to 58 cm. chic design. The drawback of such a tray is a small lifetime.

• Multi-purpose tray with folding tray Idea. Designed for compact placement of tableware. The main feature of the design is that it can, if necessary, remove an additional nozzle, making the tray more compact. Standard accessory sizes are 31 cm in width, 7 cm in height and 40 cm in length.Plus the model is lightweight, minus is fragile, as it is made of plastic.

• The folding container from the domestic manufacturer "Mixi". This model has proven itself due to the average price and high quality. The design is made of high-quality plastic, its dimensions are: length - 40 cm, width - 30 cm and height - 7 cm. The advantages include the presence of additional cells, the disadvantages are a limited period of use.

• Blum modular tray. Unlike previous models, such an accessory can be assembled at your own discretion, depending on the type of cutlery. The design is equipped with convenient dividers and is easily installed in the drawers of any size. The product is made of transparent plastic, its width is 800 mm, height - 500 mm. The modular system is assembled from 4 parts of different lengths; for its stability, the manufacturer has provided rubber feet and a ribbed bottom. The disadvantage of the model is a small number of tanks.

• Modular organizer DrawerStore. It is assembled from individual parts, which allows you to change the capacity of places depending on the placement of certain devices. The design consists of 4 capacious boxes, each of which has a height of 5 cm, width and length may vary. Stability is attached to the tray rubber nozzles on the legs. Despite the convenient design, when buying such a model, you need to additionally purchase sections to accommodate large dining accessories.

• Classic wooden box-tray Ergobox. Allows you to perfectly place all the necessary utensils in a specific order. The product looks expensive and is durable, although it is not suitable for daily use. The skeleton of the structure is represented by an array of ash, its thickness is 8 mm, the bottom is sheathed by MDF and additionally decorated on both sides with ash veneer. The tray has a width of 30 cm and a length of 45 cm. Due to the large number of compartments, the model is considered universal, but it is not resistant to the negative effects of detergents and is afraid of moisture, therefore, it is best used for storing collection cutlery.

• Wooden tray support Barredo. Kitchen attribute is made of high-quality wood (beech) and not only looks presentable, but also has excellent performance characteristics. The design consists of 8 compartments, which, if desired, can be completed with special cells. In addition, the container is easily supplemented with insert-holder for easy sorting of kitchen utensils. The lack of products - the high cost.

• Durable metal organizer Hettich. It is produced from a steel alloy, which makes the product "eternal". Austrian manufacturers also ensure that this tray is resistant to corrosion. In this container, the metal is not only the case, but all the boxes. The width of the structure does not exceed 47 cm, its length is 28 cm. The positive qualities of the model are a long service life and the ability to rearrange or remove internal parts. Negative characteristics - high cost.

• Metal tray Volpato. Provides easy overview and quick access to the contents of the kitchen drawers, allows you to maintain perfect order. Since the accessory is made of steel alloy, it has excellent performance. The container combines 12 different boxes, which are also made of metal. Their sizes can be set at their own discretion, most often hostesses combine several boxes under the forks and spoons at the same time. This product is easily assembled and disassembled, which allows it to be transported and installed without problems. Minus model - the high price.

• Comfortable plastic multi-purpose tray Linus. Despite the fact that the product is made of transparent plastic, it is of high quality and resistant due to the perforated bottom.In such a container, cutlery dries quickly and is conveniently placed. The design can be put both in modules (drawers), and on a table-top as it looks esthetically and original, emphasizes design of the room. The design has 5 sections, its dimensions are 27 cm wide and 34 cm long.

• Organizers from plastic from the Italian producer Volpato. They are in great demand among the housewives, as they allow you to conveniently store kitchen utensils and look good in the interior of modern kitchens. The design of the trays is made in a restrained style. The design is assembled from 6 gray trays, their width is 38 cm, length - 49 cm. Anyone can afford to purchase such a model, since it is inexpensive. The only negative - the manufacturer did not bother to choose a color palette.

• Idea perforated container, providing fast drying and subsequent airing of devices. Due to the presence of ventilation holes in the tray, the bottom gets good air circulation and moisture does not stagnate in it. The construction weighs only 300 g, it consists of 5 small compartments and has the following dimensions: width - 4 cm, length - 45 cm. The minus of the model is low strength.

Trays with a compartment for large items Blum Tandembox. This device is made of durable plastic and is characterized by high German quality. The design can be put in any place, it is especially well suited for installation in sliding modules up to 50 cm deep. In addition to the compartments for standard appliances, the tray has sections for kitchen utensils of larger dimensions.

In addition to all the above-mentioned products, there are also designs of little-known manufacturers on sale, they are distinguished by a chic design, a huge choice of color palette, but often they are inferior in quality.

Before buying such an important kitchen accessory as a tray for tableware, you should consider some indicators. Since spoons, forks and other devices must be constantly maintained in sterility, cleanliness and be at hand, you need to pay attention to the size of the structure, the number of sections and the presence of holes for ventilation.

To avoid mistakes when buying a tray, experts recommend paying attention to the following criteria:

• compliance of the material from which the product is made, kitchen interior;
• the container should be selected under the standard sizes of kitchen drawers, for this they need to be pre-measured at the edges;
• the capacity of the product, the section of the organizer must allow to place various types of devices (not only forks and spoons);
• fabrication material - it will depend on it the period of use of the tray (it is best to give preference to metal models).

How to make a simple and convenient organizer for cutlery yourself, see the video below.