6 Cookbook Stands That Are Functional and Beautiful posted by Taylor Munsell Pin Share Tweet Email SomethingSwanky is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. I have a secret: I’m not actually a great cook. But I still manage to prepare great baked goods and meals every day because I’ve gotten very good at finding the best recipes and following those recipes down to the detail. And I accredit a lot of my “recipe-following proficiency” to my cookbook holders. When the recipes are staring you in the face while you’re at work in the kitchen, cooking at the level of the professionals who wrote the recipe becomes easy. I wasn’t always the same way. I remember when I was younger, I would cook from recipes and just read them from cookbooks or magazines (since data plans weren’t around yet), picking the book up every few minutes to make sure I was doing things right. Of course, that resulted in a lot of missed details, like beating the eggs before adding them to a mixture or adding half a tablespoon rather than half a teaspoon of mint extract. To help you avoid the cooking mistakes I ran into when I was younger, I’ve put together this table of the best cookbook holders money can buy. With them, anyone can make great food if they try. 6 Best Cookbook Stands Here are my six favorite cookbook holders. I’ve assigned each one a category that tells you why that model is on my list, and I’ve written two or three paragraphs about each one below the table. CategoryItemMetal[amazon link=”B07VJNQDGD” link_icon=”none” title=”Vintage Cast-Iron Cookbook Stand” /]Budget[amazon link=”B07Z6MJBR4″ link_icon=”none” title=”Tool Crock with Ipad, Phone or Cookbook Holder” /]OverallHand Carved Solid Wood Foldable Gingko Leaf CookbookMinimalistSimple Cookbook StandCustomizedPersonalized Wooden Family Cookbook HolderCoveredCookbook Stand 1. Metal: Vintage Cast Iron Cookbook Stand by [amazon link=”B07VJNQDGD” link_icon=”none” title=”JOGREFUL” /] [amazon fields=”B07VJNQDGD” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center” image_alt=”Vintage Cookbook Stand Cast Iron”] Sometimes, having a heavier cookbook stand is nice. Especially if you have a thin counter or if you find yourself leafing through the cookbook while you’re cooking, a stand that will not move or fall over when jarred is a godsend. This stand fits that bill, weighing about four and a half pounds. It has non-slip rubber mats on the four feet, though, which ensures it will not scratch the counter. Even though this cookbook holder is so heavy-duty, it still looks great. It has a hollowed-out lattice design that gives it a charming retro look when a book’s not on it. The cast iron is painted white and covered with a powder-coated steel finish, which makes it even shinier as well as adding to its strength and making it easier to clean. For people with a more retro kitchen design theme rather than a modern one, I definitely recommend this cookbook stand. 2. Budget: Tool Crock with Ipad, Phone or Cookbook Holder by [amazon link=”B07Z6MJBR4″ link_icon=”none” title=”Comfify” /] [amazon fields=”B07Z6MJBR4″ value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center” image_alt=”Vintage Cookbook Stand Cast Iron”] It’s hard to believe this model is less than $20 because it’s not only a cookbook stand but also a tool crock for holding spatulas, wooden spoons, and other cooking utensils. The ceramic tool crock is comes in either white or blue. Near the base of the crock is a lip to keep cookbooks. The lip is not exactly huge and may be unable to hold the thickest cookbooks, but it’s strong and visually appealing. Besides, for the price you can’t expect the quality of one of the more expensive cookbook stands on this list. 3. Overall: Hand Carved Solid Wood Foldable Gingko Leaf Cookbook by Etsy: MatrBoomie In my opinion, this is the best cookbook holder out there because it is made with incredibly sturdy craftsmanship but still looks absolutely fantastic. It’s hand-carved in India by artisans using traditional woodworking methods that have been around for millenia. The meticulous care shown during the ethical production process is definitely apparent, as the carvings in the solid-feeling and sustainably-grown sheesham wood are intricate and simply beautiful. The design of the cookbook stand is certainly bold and may clash with some more minimalist or industrial-looking kitchens, but it is a huge boost to the aesthetics of kitchens with wooden design themes. Even though the stand is rugged-looking, it’s light and easy to store by folding flat. 4. Minimalist: Simple Cookbook Stand by Etsy: TannerWoodcraftUK This wooden stand comes in two thin pieces that can be slotted together. The concept might sound flimsy, but the stand is actually as strong as any other cookbook stand I’ve used, including the cast iron ones. The stand is just as beautiful as it is strong, too. You can choose from either European oak or laminated birch as the primary material when you buy the product. Either option comes seasoned with mineral oil and sealed with natural beeswax. The result is a gorgeous stand that gleams with a bright finished sheen and will wipe clean easily if any unfortunate spills happen. For minimalists, this cookbook stand is a dream. Not only does it look right at home as part of a minimalist aesthetic, but it is also extremely easy to take apart and store. Just slide the two interlocking pieces away from each other and put them away one on top of the other! 5. Customized: Personalized Wooden Family Cookbook Holder by Etsy: MarketingHills The personalized engraving on this solid bamboo cookbook holder looks fantastic. The laser etching includes a specified name (up to 25 characters), the year, and the phrase “the secret ingredient is always love.” The wording and illustration on mine and the one I got for my niece are perfect, without any uneven engraving or other imperfections. They definitely give the kitchen a homier feeling. Bamboo is a very strong material, and this model is made 100% sustainably so you can feel good about your environmentalism when you buy it. I also want to give a shoutout to this particular product’s customer service; they misspelled my family name on the first stand they sent me, and it was a breeze returning it (for free) and getting a corrected one. 6. Covered: Cookbook Stand by Crate and Barrel Cooking can get messy, especially if you’re cooking with oil that likes to pop out of a pan. If oil gets on the cookbook pages, it will never wash off. That’s why having a plastic cover on a cookbook holder can save your cookbooks. The acrylic cover on this model is totally see-through, allowing you to easily view the pages without worrying about cooking spatter ruining them forever. Since it’s on a hinge, it can adjust to hold cookbooks of any thickness. The stand is made of beechwood. It’s light, visually pleasing, easy to wipe clean, and it folds flat for easy storage. Final Thoughts Most people view a cookbook stand as a luxury, not understanding that it’s an important tool in becoming a better cook. Everyone who wants to make better meals the way they were meant to be prepared needs at least an inexpensive cookbook holder. They’re also a very prominent part of your kitchen’s design, though, so I’d recommend spending a few extra dollars for one that looks great. This list of my six favorite cookbook holders should serve as a good starting point for anyone looking to buy their first cookbook holder or expand their collection.
