The 10 Best Cookbook Stands for Keeping the Cookbook Clean

For those of us who enjoy spending time in the kitchen, we have all experienced that moment – usually at the critical step in the recipe – when the cookbook closes! We then have the choice of using sticky hands to re-open the book or taking the time to wash our hands before handling the book. The understated cookbook stand is the essential kitchen accessory to not only keep the cookbook open on the correct page, but also out of the way of food splatters.

Things to Consider Before Buying A Cookbook Stand

Whether you are an avid baker, or your preference is for whipping up savory dishes, the cookbook stand will allow you to concentrate on your cooking while keeping your recipe close at hand. Having the cookbook on a stand also means that you have more countertop space available to actually prepare food on.

A stand keeps your cookbook out of the way of grease splatters and flour dust and if your cookbook is one which has been passed down through the generations, it is even more important to keep it clean.

Although nobody seems to know when the cookbook stand first appeared, it was probably around the time of early cookbooks which date as far back as the fifteenth century. At this time, books of recipes were produced by palaces and other senior figures. They were usually created as aides-memoires for staff but also as a way for royalty to show off how luxurious their banquets were.

With the rise of modern printing in the fifteenth century onwards, more books began to be printed and by the seventeenth century, it was viable to publish cookbooks. These were still printed for wealthier individuals, but also for those less well-off, as one 1847 title published in England – Plain Cookery for the Working Classes – demonstrated.

Cookery books continued to retain class divides in European countries but as literacy rates improved and incomes increased in many households, some publishers began to produce books for ‘all households’ or ‘for all classes’.

As time moved on, the main distinguishing factor between cookbooks became their binding quality rather than social groups. The most expensive books would be calf bound and only available to those who were wealthy while the cheaper ones were printed as small yet affordable booklets. By the early twentieth century, cookbooks were rarely singling out particular social or income groups, instead the focus was now on publishing cookbooks for specific dietary requirements, such as those with kosher recipes.

Features of Cookbook Stands

Cookbook stands can be traditionally styled or may be contemporary design pieces that will make a statement on your countertop.

They are made from various materials, such as cast iron, stainless steel or coated steel and these are designed for longer life. Plastics and acrylics are also common as are materials such as wood or bamboo, although natural materials can be more prone to cosmetic damage and the humidity in a kitchen environment will take its toll on them over time.

The upright angle of a cookbook stand not only makes it easier to read from a book, it also reduces the glare from overhead lighting which can make it difficult to read a recipe when a book is open flat on the countertop. Some stands also have adjustable viewing angles which offer versatility with different sized books.

Depending on how much countertop space you have available, size can be a major consideration. If you are lucky enough to have enough space to leave your stand out on the countertop then the size will not matter, however, if you do need to store it away when not in use, then a smaller or slimline model will be more suitable.

Some stands have a swivel base which makes it easier if you are working across a larger or an angled countertop space and some will fold away to take up less room, although these types are often smaller and may not be as heavy duty as non-folding stands.

If you use various recipe books, then a stand that takes different book thicknesses is a must and it should also be sturdy enough to hold the heaviest book you own. A stand with a built in counterweight or bookmark ensures that it will stay open on the page but a stand with pegs or arms at the base of the upright can be more useful if you tend to use recipe cards or sheets of paper as these will help prevent draughts from disturbing loose pages.

If the stand has a shield to protect the pages from splatters, then one that does not need you to lift the book off before turning pages will make the task a little easier. It is also worth checking out the size of the splatter shield – i.e. is it large enough to cover the pages of your larger cookbooks?

If you prefer to use online recipes, then a cookbook stand that can be used as a tablet stand is a useful investment. These stands are usually suitable to use with any type of device and should offer a range of viewing angles to make it easy to read the screen. Some tablet cookbook stands also have space to connect the charger and a splatter guard – ideal for protecting your iPad from stray brownie mix!

A tablet cookbook stand should also allow you to insert your tablet or phone easily and be sturdy and stable enough that you can touch the screen without the stand tipping or sliding.

Conclusion

The easiest way to prevent splatters on a treasured cookbook or tablet is by investing in a cookbook stand. These understated, yet essential kitchen accessories often perform an aesthetic as well as functional role in the kitchen and features such as adjustable viewing angles and splatter guards improve the overall versatility of the cookbook stand.