Checkered Chef Cooling Rack, 11.75"x17", Set of 2 Review (2026)

Sized for half sheet pans

Each rack measures 11.75 by 17 inches, which is built to fit directly inside a standard half sheet pan rather than the smaller quarter sheet size some budget cooling racks are sized for. That matters for anyone using the rack for oven roasting rather than just cooling baked goods, since a rack that fits the pan properly lets fat and juices drip away from roasted chicken, vegetables, or bacon evenly across the whole surface instead of pooling under an oversized or undersized rack. Getting two racks in one set means a meal prepper can roast two full trays at once, such as a tray of protein and a tray of vegetables, without needing to buy racks separately or reuse one rack between batches.

Stainless steel and oven safety

The racks are made from stainless steel with a grid wire design, which is oven safe and built to handle higher roasting temperatures without warping the way some chrome-plated or lower grade wire racks can under sustained heat. Stainless steel also resists rust better than plated wire racks, which matters for a rack that will regularly be exposed to hot fat, marinades, and moisture from roasted meats and vegetables. The grid pattern, rather than widely spaced parallel bars, gives smaller or irregularly shaped food items more support so they do not slip through gaps the way they might on a rack with wider spacing between wires.

Cleanup and non-nonstick surface

These racks do not have a nonstick coating, so marinades, glazes, and sticky sauces can cling to the wire grid more than they would on a coated rack, which means more scrubbing is sometimes needed after roasting particularly saucy or sugary foods. The manufacturer states the racks are dishwasher safe, which offsets some of that cleanup effort for anyone willing to run them through a normal cycle rather than hand washing. For roasting plain proteins or vegetables with minimal glaze, cleanup tends to be straightforward; for sticky barbecue-style marinades, a soak before washing helps loosen residue that has baked onto the wires.

Storage considerations

Because each rack is full sheet pan sized, a set of two takes up more storage space than smaller quarter sheet racks, and both racks need room to air dry fully after washing to avoid trapped moisture between the wires. For kitchens with limited cabinet space, storing two 11.75 by 17 inch racks flat may require dedicating a shelf or slot specifically for them, similar to how sheet pans themselves are often stored vertically in a slotted organizer. This is a reasonable tradeoff for the convenience of having two full-size racks ready for a double batch roasting session, but it is worth planning storage before buying if kitchen space is already tight.

Who should buy this set

This set suits meal preppers who regularly roast proteins or vegetables in the oven and want the fat and juices to drain away for a crisper result, plus enough racks to run two full trays at once. It is also useful for cooling large batches of baked goods across two full sheet pans rather than one. Anyone with limited storage space or who only bakes and roasts occasionally may find one rack, or a smaller quarter sheet pair, more practical. For anyone doing batch cooking on full sheet pans regularly, having two matching full-size racks removes the bottleneck of only being able to roast one tray with proper drainage at a time.

Frequently asked questions