Best Dish Drying Racks for Campervans
A dish drying rack in a van kitchen needs to be compact, portable, and practical for UK van life. Here are the best options I have tested.
The Contenders
| Rack | Type | Size (folded) | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joseph DrawerStore | Over-sink drawer | 45 x 30 x 6cm | £18 | 9/10 |
| Stalwart Roll-Up | Silicone roll-up mat | 45 x 30 x 0.5cm | £10 | 8/10 |
| Minky Compact | Small plastic rack | 30 x 25 x 10cm | £8 | 7/10 |
| Joseph Groove | Foldable over-sink | 50 x 32 x 12cm | £15 | 8/10 |
| Odoland Camping | Mesh roll-up bag | 40 x 30 x 1cm | £12 | 9/10 |
Best Overall: Joseph DrawerStore
This rack sits over the sink and slides back when not in use. It holds 4 plates, 2 bowls, and 6 cups. The cutlery holder is removable. In a van, this saves your draining board from being covered in wet dishes. Folds flat to 6cm thick. Only works if: your sink is at least 45cm wide and you have wall space for the bracket.
Best for Small Vans: Odoland Camping Mesh Bag
It is a mesh bag with a hook. Hang it from a cupboard handle or a suction hook on the window. Wet dishes go in, water drains into the sink or onto the ground. When empty, it folds to the size of a wallet. Perfect for a SWB Transit with minimal kitchen space.
Best Budget: Stalwart Roll-Up Mat
A silicone mat with ridges that keep dishes elevated. Roll it out on the draining board, do the dishes, roll it up and shake the water outside. £10, lasts forever, takes zero permanent space. The downside is it does not hold dishes vertically — they lie flat, which takes more surface area.
Best for Big Kitchens: Joseph Groove
This is the full-size over-sink rack for vans with a proper galley. It holds a full meal's worth of dishes and folds flat. The grooved channels direct water into the sink. More space-efficient than the DrawerStore but only works if your sink has a rim to rest the rack on.
What to Look For
- Folded size: Under 5cm thick for easy storage
- Drainage: Channels water into the sink, not onto the worktop
- Material: Stainless steel or silicone (plastic cracks in cold van conditions)
- Weight: Under 500g (every gram counts in a van)
My Setup
I use the Odoland mesh bag for everyday use and the Joseph DrawerStore for longer stays. Cheap, practical, and neither takes up permanent counter space — the most valuable real estate in any van kitchen.
