The time has finally come to replace our dish drainboard. The one we have is an old Rubbermaid dish drainer set, which we've had for over 35 years. When we moved to Tennessee from Illinois in 1986, we brought it with us and it has served us well over the years.
You know the old mantra, use it up, wear it out... well, I can honestly say we wore this one out. I've always kept a folded dish towel next to it to absorb water drips, but the towel began to be soaked were the tray had developed a crack in it. I tried to duct tape it, but even that no longer worked.
Do you remember when Jim Dacyczyn ordered a new metal drain board for their kitchen in Maine back in the early 1990s? I was a newsletter subscriber at the time and the thought of spending $32 on a dish drainer was a lot of money at that time. I was only making $7 an hour at the time and the thought of working five hours for a dish drainer board was a lot of money to me.
For over the last year I've been looking at dish drainers. Even before the pandemic, I would look at them in the store and knew that our vintage Rubbermaid one was made well and large enough to accommodate the amount of dishes I wash on a daily basis. The ones they make today are too small for my family and so I searched for a long time to find one that was big enough. I need a dish drainer with side boards. LOL
Then one day while searching, I stumbled across something interesting. It was for a mail order catalog from Rolling Acres Housewares in Ohio and they had a stainless steel drainboard.
Here is what it looks like on the counter:
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Interesting old school store! Do you think it might be Amish owned since they don't have an online presence? Isabella
ReplyDeleteI do believe it is Amish owned, Isabella. The last name of the company owner is Yoder if that tells you anything.
DeleteGreat looking drain board, Belinda! You are right; the ones in the stores now are not big enough. I'll have to check out this company and get a catalogue.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Frances. I would definitely get a catalog as they offer all sorts of great items for the kitchen.
DeleteI'm going to write them today. I don't use a drainboard I just sit the basket in the sink for them to drain. Our counter is small so there is no room. Thanks for the info!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Vickie. I think you will like the catalog. :)
DeleteI'm totally with you on the use it up, wear it out motto. Sounds like a great catalog. Thanks for sharing the info!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Martha.
DeleteIt does make me think of days gone by-even IKEA is losing the catalogue for just a on-line presence.
ReplyDeleteOh wow, I didn't know that, Sam.
DeleteSo interesting! I've thought about getting a drainboard. Where do you keep it when you're not drying dishes? I currently just use a towel (we have a dishwasher, so the majority of items get washed/dried that way), but I feel like we cook so much at this point that I'd have use for a drainboard. I just don't want it on the counter when not in use, and I'm not sure I have the space otherwise.
ReplyDeleteIt easily slides under the sink when not is use. It could also be stored under our stovetop with the cookie sheets. I like to dry it off when I'm done and stick it under the sink, so it is out of the way and I have my counter space back.
DeleteLike Hawaii Planned I use a dish towel that I change every morning to place something's I don't use the dishwasher for. I never had a dish rack last that long.
DeleteMy mom holds on to things. In fact, I think that is the 1970s Harvest Gold colored dish drainer, so it may even be older than I'm thinking.
DeleteThat is amazing that it lasted 35 years! I wish most companies still manufactured long lasting, quality items, like they did years ago.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you found a good replacement Belinda. Thank you for sharing this store with us. I'll be sure to check it out.
You're welcome,, Ms. Goose. I knew others would be interested in this.
DeleteYes, the vintage Rubbermaid dish drainers sets were built to last and nice and big. I wish they still made the like they did back then.
Ms Goose, that reminds me of my Sears portable sewing machine. I bought is as a teen for $100 fifty years ago. It is heavy steel and I have sewn a million miles on it. I have never had any repairs! In fact, I was pining for a newer, fancier model and discovered that today's quilters are using this simple model as the one they want! That made me clean it up for more years of service. Isabella
DeleteKind of sounds like an Amish name.
ReplyDeleteMine sinks in the sink as not nearly enough counter space for one.
May get a catalog though.
Yes, I think it is an Amish name too, Cheryl. :)
DeleteEven though I have a new dishwasher, I still have items that need to be hand-washed and drained. this is perfect. I hated the drain board part of the drainers anyway.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think there is always a little bit of hand washing to do.
DeleteI really like that new drainboard.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Thank you, Jackie. I really like it too.
DeleteToo funny. Same dish drainer here. Our 41st anniversary is coming up ;-)
ReplyDeleteHow neat, Elle. Happy 41st anniversary to you two~
DeleteThanks for the info on Rolling acres. It sounds like an interesting catalog. I used to enjoy browsing the Lehman's catalog years ago, and this sounds similar.
ReplyDeleteI think you got good use out of your old dish drainer, and your new one looks great.
You're welcome, Kathy, and thank you too. It does seem like Lehman's catalog to me. I used to like browsing thru it too.
DeleteHi Belinda, I have had mine for 20 years, get lots of comments. Best investment after the cast iron cookware and a good knives.
ReplyDeleteBest from Kansas, Sarah
That is great to hear, Sarah. Thank you for letting me know.
DeleteThat is great!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kim.
DeleteThank you! These are wonderful people and I love the drain board.
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you so much for letting me know. Brenda.
DeleteI purchased one of these drain boards for myself and then ordered one as a gift for my sister. Really like how they keep water off of my counter. Penny S.
ReplyDeleteThank you for letting me know, Penny. That's terrific. I still love mine.
DeleteI've had one of these for years and LOVE it! I am going to buy one for my daughter very soon, for her birthday. I was there several days ago and their drainboard is pathetic and sad. :)
ReplyDeleteHow neat! I have loved mine and use it multiple times per day every day. I even bought a new dish drainer for it, which is the Better Homes and Garden brand and it looks much nicer than the old Rubbermaid one. I’m sure your daughter will love hers as much as we love ours. :)
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