Kitchn Love Letters

This Is the Best $3 You Could Possibly Spend at IKEA

Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm
Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm
Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm was the Tools Editor at The Kitchn. A professional kitchen equipment tester, she's worked for America's Test Kitchen, EatingWell, and Food52. Her goal: to find the best gear for your kitchen so you don't waste time or money on anything else. She lives…read more
published Oct 4, 2021
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Post Image
Credit: FotograFFF/Shutterstock

I didn’t step foot into an IKEA until I was in my early 20s. There wasn’t one within driving distance from where I grew up or where I went to college, so I didn’t get to go until I was living on my own in New York City. I made one trip and went overboard, buying ridiculously well-priced kitchen towels, vases, and lamps with abandon. I’ve been back close to a million times since then (give or take a trip or three) and, of all the great buys I’ve picked up, one stands out to me the most: the $2.79 ORDNING Utensil Holder.

It is, without a doubt, my favorite kitchen-related item I’ve ever got from IKEA. Here’s why it’s so great.

For starters, it’s just $3. The perforated holder can house your most-used kitchen utensils at an arm’s reach — things like a Microplane, spider, spatula, and wooden spoons. But it’s also great for keeping a handful of spoons right by the stove, and for tasting and seasoning food as you cook (which is something you absolutely should be doing!). And, I find, it’s the perfect holder for wrangling a whole bunch of one thing you don’t want to stuff in a drawer, like steak knives. Because it’s made from stainless steel, it’s also easy to clean and even dishwasher-safe.

Don’t just take my word for it, though: I’m not the only Kitchn editor that’s a huge fan of the ORDNING Utensil Holder. Here’s what Groceries Editor, Mara Weinraub, had to say about it: “We store all our spatulas, spoons, tongs, and utensils in this! I’ve had it for 10-plus years now and my mother also has one (it’s how I discovered it).” That’s a long time!

Credit: Kateri Gemperlein-Schirm
My sister's new utensil holder.

Now, while mine’s not quite that old, after several years it still looks brand new. And its practicality and durability has even made it a go-to gift of mine. Recently, when my sister moved into her first apartment, I made my way to IKEA and bought her a utensil holder, as well as a few essential tools. There really isn’t a better or more well-priced apartment-warming present. That’s a fact.

Do you have a favorite utensil holder? Tell us about it in the comments!