Checkered Chef Cooling Rack Review: America's Test Kitchen's Top Wire Rack Pick
A decent cooling rack is one of the least glamorous things in a home kitchen — and one of the most quietly useful. The Checkered Chef 11¾" × 17" stainless steel rack earned America's Test Kitchen's top spot in their wire rack roundup, sells in a set of two for roughly the price of a single artisan loaf of bread, and has accumulated nearly 30,000 Amazon reviews at 4.7 stars. Here is an honest look at what it does well, what it doesn't, and who should buy it.
Product Overview
The Checkered Chef half-sheet rack is a gridded wire tray that lifts food off surfaces so air — and heat — can move freely underneath. It is sold as a set of two identical racks, each measuring 11¾ inches wide and 17 inches long. That matches standard half-sheet pans closely, so both racks nest inside a single baking sheet for roasting or broiling.
Material is the headline spec here: 100% 18/8 stainless steel, welded at the grid crossings, with four small feet that raise it roughly five-eighths of an inch off whatever surface it rests on. That sounds modest, but it is enough clearance for air circulation during cooling and for fat to drip away during roasting.
The rack is sold in three sizes — an 8" × 11¾" quarter-sheet version, a 10" × 15" jelly-roll version, and this half-sheet version (11¾" × 17"). Multiple colors and finishes exist on the listing; the stainless variant reviewed here is the most purchased.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (each rack) | 11¾" × 17" |
| Height (feet) | ~⅝ inch |
| Material | 100% 18/8 stainless steel |
| Quantity | 2 racks per set |
| Oven safe | Yes, up to 500°F |
| Broiler safe | Yes |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
| Approximate price | ~$16 per set of 2 |
| Amazon rating | 4.7 / 5 |
| Amazon review count | ~30,000 |
Performance & Real-World Use
Cooling baked goods is the most common use, and the Checkered Chef handles it straightforwardly. Cookies lifted off a sheet pan and placed on the rack cool from the bottom as well as the top. Compared to leaving them on the pan, this prevents the residual heat from continuing to cook the underside and eliminates the steam trap that leads to a soggy crust. For cakes and quick breads, the effect is the same: more even cooling, no wet bottom.
Roasting and broiling work just as well. Place the rack inside a half-sheet pan, put chicken thighs or salmon fillets on top, and the fat or moisture drips away rather than pooling around the food. The result is noticeably crispier skin than pan-roasting directly on aluminum. The broiler-safe certification is real: these racks handle direct flame without warping under normal home use.
Fit in standard pans was confirmed by America's Test Kitchen, who called it "sturdy and fits nicely inside their favorite baking sheet." The 11¾" × 17" dimensions leave only a small gap on each side of a standard half-sheet — enough for stability, not enough to cause wobble.
One area to watch: the grid wires are thinner gauge than commercial-grade racks. Under a heavy Dutch oven or a full bone-in leg of lamb, the rack flexes more than ideal. For standard home-cooking loads — sheet-pan chicken, a dozen cookies, a loaf of bread — it is not an issue. For very heavy items, a commercial-gauge rack would hold up better over time.
- America's Test Kitchen's top pick — for half-sheet wire racks — the editorial endorsement is current as of their 2025 roundup
- 100% stainless steel — not chrome-plated over another metal, which means no rust patches, no flaking finish, and no metallic contamination risk after years of use
- Set of 2 for ~$16 — two functional racks for what competing brands charge for one
- Fits half-sheet pans precisely — no improvised positioning needed for roasting or broiling
- Genuinely dishwasher safe — the stainless steel survives repeated high-heat wash cycles without oxidizing or peeling
- Broiler and oven safe to 500°F — usable for almost every home cooking task including high-heat roasting
- Near-neutral footprint — stores flat, stacks with a second rack, and slips into most baking sheet organizers
- Quality control variance — TechGearLab tested three copies and found one arrived warped; feet on some units are slightly uneven, causing rocking on a smooth countertop under a light load
- Thinner wire gauge than premium alternatives — the racks can develop a slight bow over months of heavy use or under genuinely heavy loads
- Low elevation (~⅝ inch) — air circulation is adequate but less generous than taller-footed racks from brands like KITCHENATICS; makes a minor difference for delicate pastry work, not much else
- Wider grid spacing — small cookies, shrimp, or other bite-size items can occasionally settle into the grid rather than sitting cleanly on top; a baking mat or parchment solves this but adds a step
- No included pan — the half-sheet pan sold separately; the set is racks only
Nearly 30,000 reviewers and America's Test Kitchen agree the Checkered Chef cooling rack is one of the best values in baking equipment. The quality control inconsistency is real and worth knowing about, but at this price point, a defective unit is easy to return. For home bakers and everyday cooks looking for a durable, 100% stainless steel rack that fits standard pans and doesn't rust, this set earns its place as the default recommendation.