Kitchen Organization Comparisons · Reviewed October 25, 2026
OXO Foldaway vs Aluminum Fold Flat Dish Rack: Which Fits Your Counter?
These similarly named OXO racks solve different space problems. Decide whether you want an open basin that changes around cookware or a raised plate rack above a drying board.
Best for
Home cooks choosing a folding countertop drying rack for hand-washed dishes, glasses and suitable cookware.
Probably not for
Drying an unlimited dinner-party load, leaving washed items stacked without separation, or a counter that cannot provide stable support and controlled drainage.
Specifications at a glance
| Detail | Foldaway 1473480 | Aluminum Fold Flat 13322800 |
|---|---|---|
| Metal specified by OXO | Stainless steel | Aluminum |
| Layout | Plate support folds down into basin | Two-layer rack above ridged drying board |
| Manufacturer-listed size | Open: 19.4 x 15.5 x 5.125 in | Unpackaged footprint: 16.4 x 14.6 in |
| Storage | Closed: 19.4 x 12.5 x 3.875 in | Folds flat; board can remain in use |
| Water management | Draining spout; internal cup rack | Raised ridges on integrated drainboard |
| Utensil organization | Removable divided holders | Removable cup fits either side |
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OXO Good Grips Foldaway Dish Rack 1473480
A basin-style rack with a movable plate section, cup supports and a draining spout.
Pros
- Plate section can make way for awkward cookware
- Cup supports sit within the draining area
- Divided utensil holders can be lifted out
Cons
- Longer published footprint than the Aluminum Fold Flat
- Stored shape still needs substantial shelf length
- Sink position must work with its drainage arrangement
Who it’s for: Choose it if pans, mixing bowls and other awkward shapes regularly join the plates. Skip it when the main goal is a shorter footprint and a low drying board between meals.
Check OXO Good Grips Foldaway Dish Rack 1473480 on Amazon Paid linkOXO Good Grips Aluminum Fold Flat Dish Rack 13322800
A folding two-level rack that converts to a low drying board for smaller loads.
Pros
- Useful open and folded configurations
- Utensil cup can move to the more convenient side
- Shorter manufacturer-listed footprint
Cons
- Raised structure needs clearance above the counter
- Plate-heavy layout may be less convenient for bulky cookware
- Dish placement still needs to leave the draining surface accessible
Who it’s for: Choose it for plates, mugs and small daily loads, especially when the rack must fold away after meals. Skip it if a large pot tends to occupy the entire drying area.
Check OXO Good Grips Aluminum Fold Flat Dish Rack 13322800 on Amazon Paid linkCheck what remains after the dishwasher is loaded
The useful comparison starts with your usual hand-wash pile. If it is mostly a saucepan, mixing bowl, reusable bottle and a few utensils, a flexible open area may matter more than many plate positions. If you wash all your plates by hand, separating those plates in an upright rack becomes a more regular need. A rack should match that daily remainder rather than an idealized collection of matching dishes.
The Foldaway lets you lower its plate section to accommodate larger items. The Aluminum Fold Flat organizes dishes at two levels and can be used as a low board when folded. Those layouts suggest different routines: the first favors changing the interior around the load, while the second favors switching between an upright rack and a simpler surface. Neither arrangement proves a particular number of place settings will fit.
Compare the counter, cabinet and sink together
Use the dimensions in the table to mark out each footprint with paper or removable tape. Then check the space with the kettle, soap dispenser and cutting board in their normal places. Leave room to pick up a glass without reaching around a knife or knocking another item. A rack that fits mathematically can still crowd the preparation area you use every day.
Measure above the rack as well. Tall plates and bottles can approach the underside of a wall cabinet, and mugs need room to come off their supports. The manufacturer dimensions are product measurements, not a loaded clearance envelope. For storage, check the cupboard opening and internal depth, not just its width; hinges and pipework may occupy the exact space where you planned to slide the folded rack.
Drainage depends on your sink geometry
The Foldaway has a spout for directing water away from its basin. Before choosing it, check whether the rack can sit close enough to the sink and whether a raised sink rim would obstruct the intended path. A spout is useful only when water actually reaches the basin. Keep the rack level and use its intended supports rather than balancing it on improvised blocks.
With either model, inspect where water goes after the first wash. Ridges can hold dishes above the surface, but that does not mean every surrounding counter will remain dry. Avoid hanging utensils or pan handles where they drip beyond the tray. Leave access to remove water and clean underneath. A broad draining mat may protect a particular surface, but it should not conceal an overflowing tray or an unstable rack.
Pots, plates and mugs compete for the same space
A wide bowl can cover several smaller drying positions at once. When your daily pile includes one oversized item, compare its rim diameter with the usable area rather than relying only on the rack dimensions. It may be easier to dry that item separately and put it away, freeing the rack for the rest of the load. More tiers cannot solve every awkward shape.
For a plate-focused routine, check whether your actual dinner plates sit securely without leaning into a fragile glass. Place heavier pieces low and distribute them instead of building an unstable stack. Keep sharp items where hands cannot brush their edges while retrieving spoons or cups. Neither rack is a reason to leave knives loose underneath an opaque pile of dishes.
Choose a routine you will keep using
If clearing the counter every evening is important, plan a sequence: put away dry dishes, empty and clean the rack, let it dry, then fold it into its storage spot. Folding a wet rack and hiding it in a cupboard simply moves the moisture. If the rack will stay out all week, prioritize reaching the surface beneath it without having to dismantle a complicated arrangement.
Material alone does not settle the cleaning decision. Both products include more than a bare metal frame, and joints, holders and the draining surface need attention. Follow the care instructions supplied with the exact model before using a dishwasher or abrasive cleaner. A removable utensil holder is convenient only if it is actually taken out and cleaned; check it along with the tray during ordinary sink cleanup.
The better choice follows the shape of your dishes
Choose the Foldaway for a changing mix of cookware and tableware when its longer shape fits beside the sink. Choose the Aluminum Fold Flat for a more plate-centered routine, a shorter available counter area or a preference for using the same item as a low board between larger washes. If neither fits while leaving a safe working area, consider a different rack layout before compromising the kitchen workflow.
Use model 1473480 for the Foldaway and 13322800 for the Aluminum Fold Flat when checking the linked Amazon pages. OXO also sells other aluminum and compact racks, so similar names are not enough. Match the selected model and configuration, and evaluate the final purchase terms on the listing. The decision here is about layout and fit, not an unmeasured claim that one dries dishes faster.
Official sources and further reading
Sources reviewed on October 25, 2026. Prices, availability and terms can change; recheck before buying.
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