Best Kitchen Utensil
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A kitchen utensil organizer is a tray or insert that sits in a drawer and keeps forks, spoons, knives and cooking tools in their own compartments. The right one depends on your drawer’s width and depth, how many compartments you need, and whether you want bamboo, plastic or a tray with knife slots. This guide compares five kitchen utensil organizers using only the sizes, compartment counts and features each listing states. Where a listing does not give a figure, this guide says not stated.
Quick answer
- For a drawer that changes width, the oridom bamboo tray expands from 10.04 to 15.5 inches and has five to seven compartments.
- For a tray with a knife holder, the Homecor organizer lists nine compartments, two removable knife inserts and a 19 by 22 inch footprint.
- For a bamboo tray with the most compartments in this group, the ROYAL CRAFT WOOD organizer lists nine slots and a 10 kilogram maximum.
- For a narrow expanding silverware tray, the Lifewit organizer adjusts from 8 to 13.8 inches wide and has seven compartments.
How to choose a kitchen utensil organizer
Start with the drawer. Measure the inside width and depth, then check the organizer’s size against it. Some organizers in this group adjust in width, which suits a drawer whose size you are not sure of. Others come in one fixed size, so the drawer has to match. The listings give a range of sizes, from 11.2 inches to 22 inches wide, so there is a fit for most drawers.
Next, count the utensils you own. A set of forks, spoons and butter knives fits a seven or nine compartment tray. Large cooking tools such as spatulas and ladles need deeper slots or an open area. The Peggy organizer uses 32 pegs that you can rearrange, which suits a mixed drawer. The Homecor tray includes knife holders for the knives that do not fit in a slot.
Finally, check the material. Bamboo trays suit a natural look and a wood drawer. Plastic and polypropylene trays are light and easy to wipe. The Lifewit listing calls its material food grade PP, and the Homecor listing calls its material BPA free PP. Check the care instruction, since hand washing is common for trays with a natural finish.
Sizing and fit
The oridom tray is the most adjustable in the group. Its listing gives a width range of 10.04 to 15.5 inches, a length of 13.98 inches and a depth of 1.97 inches. The Lifewit organizer adjusts from 8 to 13.8 inches wide and is 11.2 inches deep and 1.4 inches high. The Homecor tray is 19 inches deep and 22 inches wide, which is a large drawer size. The ROYAL CRAFT WOOD tray is 17 inches deep and 13 inches wide, with a note that it is large, so measure your drawer before you buy.
The Peggy organizer is 21.7 inches deep, 6 inches wide and 4 inches high. It is a drawer insert that also works inside a cupboard or on a shelf. The height matters because a tall tray can block the drawer from closing. The Peggy tray is the tallest of the group at 4 inches.
Comparison table
| Organizer | Listed size | Compartments | Material | Adjustable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peggy drawer organizer | 21.7 x 6 x 4 in | 32 adjustable pegs | Plastic (specs); polyester blend (bullet) | Yes, adjustable pegs |
| Lifewit expandable silverware tray | 11.2 x 8 to 13.8 x 1.4 in | 7 | PP plastic | Yes, 8 to 13.8 in wide |
| Homecor silverware organizer | 19 x 22 x 2 in | 9 plus 2 knife inserts | Polypropylene | Yes, adjustable |
| ROYAL CRAFT WOOD bamboo organizer | 17 x 13 x 1.9 in | 9 slots | Bamboo | Expandable |
| oridom bamboo organizer | 13.98 x 10.04 to 15.5 x 1.97 in | 5 to 7 | Bamboo | Yes, 10.04 to 15.5 in |
The table lists the figures each listing gives. The Peggy listing does not give a compartment count in the usual sense, so the table shows its peg count.
Materials and care
The materials in this group are bamboo, polypropylene and plastic. The ROYAL CRAFT WOOD and oridom trays are bamboo, with a varnished or polished finish. The listings say the bamboo is durable, and the oridom listing says it is earth friendly and resists cracking and warping. The ROYAL CRAFT WOOD listing gives a maximum weight recommendation of 10 kilograms, which is a load for the cutlery and utensils rather than a shelf.
The Lifewit and Homecor trays are polypropylene. The Lifewit listing says hand washing keeps the shape. The Homecor listing says the tray is easy to clean and has an anti slip base. The Peggy tray is plastic with non-slip feet and a grey color.
Who each organizer suits
A drawer of unknown width. The oridom bamboo tray expands from about 10 to 15.5 inches. It suits an older kitchen where the drawer width is not standard, and the listing says it can be used for cutlery and utensils.
A drawer with knives. The Homecor tray has two removable knife holder inserts, which keep blades separate from forks and spoons. It is the best fit in this group for a drawer that holds both utensils and knives.
A bamboo look. The ROYAL CRAFT WOOD tray has nine slots in a natural bamboo finish. It suits a kitchen with wood tones and a larger drawer, since the listing asks you to measure before you buy.
A flexible insert for drawers and cupboards. The Peggy organizer uses adjustable pegs and can work in a drawer, a cupboard or a shelf. It suits a kitchen where you store cookware and food containers as well as utensils.
Mistakes to avoid
- Buying a tray that is too wide. The ROYAL CRAFT WOOD and Homecor trays are large, so measure the drawer first.
- Ignoring the height. A 4 inch Peggy tray leaves less clearance in a shallow drawer, so measure the height too.
- Forgetting the knives. Only the Homecor tray includes knife inserts, so a plain tray may need a separate knife block.
- Assuming all bamboo is dishwasher safe. The oridom listing says to wash with warm water and air dry.
- Choosing a tray without measuring the compartments. A 7 slot tray will not hold 9 kinds of utensil.
Roundup: each organizer, with its own listing facts
Peggy Kitchen Drawer Cupboard Organizer Tray
This adjustable tray measures 21.7 inches deep, 6 inches wide and 4 inches high. It has 32 pegs that you can move to set the compartments. The listing says it works in a drawer, inside a cupboard or on a shelf, and that the non-slip feet keep it in place. The shelf weight capacity is 10 pounds. The first bullet says polyester blend, while the specs say plastic, so check the product page for the exact material.
Lifewit Expandable Silverware Drawer Organizer
This organizer adjusts from 8 to 13.8 inches wide and has seven compartments. It is 11.2 inches deep and 1.4 inches high, and weighs 340 grams. The listing says it is made of food grade PP and BPA free plastic. The buckle design keeps the dividers from shifting, and the groove design makes cutlery easy to reach. The specs give a maximum weight recommendation of 15 pounds. The listing recommends hand washing to keep the shape.
Homecor Silverware Drawer Organizer with Knife Blocks
This tray measures 19 inches deep, 22 inches wide and 2 inches high, and has nine compartments. It comes with two removable knife holder inserts for blades. The listing says it is made of BPA free polypropylene with an anti slip base and a matte grey finish. It uses a tension mount and is described as expandable and adjustable. The weight is 1.11 kilograms.
ROYAL CRAFT WOOD Luxury Bamboo Kitchen Drawer Organizer
This bamboo tray measures 17 inches deep, 13 inches wide and 1.9 inches high, and has nine slots. It weighs 1.7 kilograms and has a maximum weight recommendation of 10 kilograms. The finish is a natural varnished bamboo. The listing asks you to measure your drawers first because the organizer is large, and it says the tray is expandable to fit most standard kitchen drawers. It can hold cutlery, a utensil holder or a drawer organizer.
oridom Expandable Bamboo Kitchen Drawer Organizer
This bamboo tray adjusts from 10.04 to 15.5 inches wide and is 13.98 inches long and 1.97 inches deep. It has five to seven compartments and weighs 350 grams. The listing says the bamboo is natural and earth friendly, and that it resists cracking and warping through a drying process. The care instruction says to wash with warm water, wipe with a damp cloth and air dry. The listing describes it as suitable for flatware and silverware.
Review: the Homecor organizer in depth
The Homecor tray is the most complete kitchen drawer organizer in this group, so it makes a good example of how to read a utensil listing. Its bullets cover the adjustable design, the storage, the knife inserts, the material and the anti slip base.
The adjustable design is the first point. The listing says the tray adapts to drawers of different sizes and can be expanded. The specs give a size of 19 by 22 inches with a height of 2 inches. That is a large tray, so check your drawer width before you order.
The compartments are the second point. The listing gives nine compartments, which covers a full set of forks, spoons and knives with room for a few cooking tools. Keep the knives in their own inserts, since that protects the edges and keeps them separate from the spoons.
The knife inserts are the third point. The listing says there are two removable knife holder inserts. They are the main feature that sets this tray apart from the others in the group. If you do not keep knives in the drawer, the inserts can be removed.
The material is the fourth point. The listing says the tray is made of BPA free polypropylene, which is a plastic. The listing describes it as easy to clean. The weight is 1.11 kilograms, which is light enough to lift out of the drawer when you clean it.
The anti slip base is the fifth point. The listing says the base keeps the tray in place when the drawer opens and closes. The tension mount means the tray fits without screws or glue. The listing does not say how tight the fit is, so test it against your drawer.
Two close alternatives from the pack help you compare. The ROYAL CRAFT WOOD tray has nine slots in bamboo, and the listing says the tray is large. The Lifewit organizer adjusts from 8 to 13.8 inches and has seven compartments in PP plastic, a good choice for a narrow drawer. For a bamboo tray in a narrow drawer, the oridom organizer expands to 15.5 inches.
FAQ
What is a kitchen utensil organizer?
It is a tray or insert that fits in a kitchen drawer and separates forks, spoons, knives and other tools. The five organizers in this guide range from a 7 compartment expanding tray to a 9 compartment tray with knife inserts.
How do I measure a drawer for a utensil tray?
Measure the inside width, depth and height of the drawer, then compare them with the tray’s listed size. The oridom tray adjusts from 10.04 to 15.5 inches wide, the Lifewit tray adjusts from 8 to 13.8 inches, and the Homecor tray is 22 inches wide. Leave a small gap for the drawer to slide.
Can I put knives in a utensil tray?
Yes, but the tray must be designed for them. The Homecor tray includes two removable knife inserts. The other trays in this group list compartments for cutlery, not blades, so store sharp knives in a block or a sheath.
Are bamboo utensil trays dishwasher safe?
The listings say to hand wash or wipe the bamboo trays. The oridom listing says to wash with warm water, wipe with a damp cloth and air dry. The ROYAL CRAFT WOOD listing says to measure your drawer and does not state a care instruction in the pack data.
What is the best organizer for a narrow drawer?
The Lifewit organizer adjusts from 8 to 13.8 inches wide and is 11.2 inches deep, with seven compartments. The oridom bamboo tray adjusts from 10.04 to 15.5 inches wide. Both fit a narrower drawer than the Homecor or ROYAL CRAFT WOOD trays.
How much weight can a utensil tray hold?
The trays in this guide hold utensils and cutlery, so weight is not the main concern. The Lifewit listing gives 15 pounds, the ROYAL CRAFT WOOD listing gives 10 kilograms, and the Peggy listing gives a 10 pound shelf capacity. The Homecor and oridom listings do not state a load figure.
Bottom line
Choose a kitchen utensil organizer by the drawer and the utensils. For a drawer that changes size, the oridom or Lifewit expanding tray fits. For a drawer with knives, the Homecor tray with its two knife inserts is the best match. For a bamboo tray with nine slots in a larger drawer, the ROYAL CRAFT WOOD tray is the choice. Measure the drawer, count your utensils, and check the care instruction before you buy.
