Top Tips for Using a Cookie Cooling Rack Like a Pro

While most kitchen countertops are heat-resistant, hot pans straight out of the oven still pose a danger. Sudden temperature changes can cause materials like granite or quartz to crack. Heavy-duty pans or trays can also scratch countertops, especially ones made of marble and certain types of laminate. 

This is where trivets and cooling racks come in. Besides protecting your countertops, they can ensure baked goods cool evenly and maintain texture. Using them may seem straightforward, but there are a few little-known tricks that can make your life easier. 

Below are our top tips for using a cookie cooling rack effectively. Keep reading to learn how to get the most out of this kitchen tool so you can cook like a pro.

Basic Cookie Cooling Rack Tips

First, let's cover some of the basic uses of cookie cooling racks and trivets (along with a few tips on their functions). 

Choose the Right Rack

The first step to getting the most out of a cookie cooling rack is to select the right one. There are thousands of products out there, and they are not all equal in quality or performance. 

Look for a quality trivet that is easy to position and sturdy. You want it to be able to hold the weight of large pans or dishes with uneven distribution of contents. 

Speaking of a balancing act: look for a rack that is stable but with a simple, compact design. You don't want it to be too large or cumbersome. The key is finding one that is easy to store, retrieve, and set up.

Finally, consider modular trivets that can hold more than one dish. Since these are collapsable when not in use, they also let you conserve storage space, while offering the capability of supporting multiple dishes. 

Consider Placement

The next element in elevating your cooling game (see what we did there?) is to identify the best place for the rack. 

First and foremost, find an area that is away from counter edges. This is especially important if you have young children, but it keeps anyone from brushing the pan, burning themselves or knocking it over. 

Next, if possible, choose a space with ample air circulation. This will let all baked items cool evenly and thoroughly. Overcrowding can trap moisture, leading to soggy baked goods. 

Careful Transfer

If you are using an independent cooling rack--versus a trivet that holds the pan straight out of the oven--be gentle in transferring items. Select high-quality tongs that let you grip baked items without damaging them. 

For transferring hot pans to trivets, avoid using a single hand. Arm both hands with potholders or heat-resistant gloves to remove and position the tray or pan on the rack. 

Cleanup

After use, be sure to clean your rack or trivet before storing. Use warm, soapy water and a non-abrasive sponge.

Some cooling racks and trivets are dishwasher-safe. Be sure to check with the manufacturer's instructions before popping it in there, as this can cause damage to some devices that are not designed for the dishwasher.  

Other Tips for Using Your Cookie Cooling Rack Like a Pro

Contrary to popular belief, cookie cooling racks are not one-trick ponies, good only for cooling perfectly baked goodies as the name might suggest. Here are some tips for taking this kitchen gadget to the next level.

(Note that some of these require racks that you can put in the oven. Check for oven-safe labels and avoid products that have been treated with non-stick coating, if they will have direct contact with food.)

Smokin' Smoked Meat

Quality cookie racks usually promote air circulation, which is good for various cooking functions. One is smoking meat. 

Cookie racks or trivets let you elevate the food off the main grill pan. This keeps them from burning and allows smoke to reach more of the food's surface area. That is great for even cooking and better flavor. 

Try smoking beef, pork, chicken, or fish (salmon is a good option) on your cookie rack. It has the added advantage of keeping you from having to clean grimy grill pans before doing so. 

Deft Dehydrating

Cookie racks are a great tool for dehydrating food. Like with smoking, it diffuses the heat and limits the potential for burning. 

At the same time, it allows for greater surface exposure. This ensures that the foods dehydrate evenly. 

You can make beef jerky at home, or try oven-dried tomatoes. There are also any number of fruits you can dehydrate using this method. Apples, apricots, bananas, peaches, pears, and mangos are popular options. 

Makin' Bacon

Have you ever made bacon in the oven? If not, you should put it at the top of your list.

It cooks more evenly and stays flatter compared to frying, which is good for presentation and makes chopping much easier. It also lets you multi-task and do other food prep while it's cooking compared to the constant monitoring and flipping that stove-top bacon requires. 

Cookie cooling racks are fantastic for this. Once again, it allows for ample air circulation, resulting in crispier bacon. And everyone knows that there's nothing better than biting into that satisfyingly crispy texture! Don't forget to place a drip pan below the rack during cooking.

Connoisseur-Caliber Crisping

And speaking of that heavenly crispy texture, that's definitely one reason that air fryers have exploded in popularity in recent years. But what a lot of people don't realize is that you can achieve the same effects in your (much larger) oven. The one challenge is getting oven-"fried" foods crispy enough.  

This is where your cookie rack saves the day yet again. Just like with making bacon magic in the oven, it can suspend other foods in the same way for that even distribution of heat. This also lets you crank the temps way up, so that you get more of a crispy, crunchy fried texture without burning.  

Find the Best Cookie Cooling Rack for You

We hope you enjoyed these cookie-cooling tips and learned something new to try in your culinary adventures from this baking tools guide. Be sure to take a look at some of our other posts for even more ideas on novel uses for your cookie-cooling rack.

Here are Trivae, we focus on creating aesthetically pleasing yet functional cooking & baking accessories. Our featured products include modular lid-holder trivets and spoon rests, but we also offer charcuterie serving tools, kitchen towels, drinkware, and more.

Check out our online inventory, and do not hesitate to reach out with any questions you might have. We always love hearing from you!