What Is a Third Rack Dishwasher?
Posted on April 28, 2025 By Mike M.
Nobody likes having to deal with dirty dishes after a nice meal, especially when you've spent hours cooking. Though we've had the answer to this tiresome chore for a long time - thank you, dishwashers - we've all been in the position where there are just too many dishes for one cycle. That's where 3rd rack dishwashers can make a huge difference. Read on to find out what these convenient dishwashers are, and how they can help make your after-dinner cleanup even easier.
What is the Third Rack in a 3rd Rack Dishwasher?
The extra rack in a 3rd rack dishwasher is located at the very top of the wash compartment above the second rack. This rack is typically a flat, sliding surface that is mainly built to hold various items that you would often have some difficulty finding a suitable place for in a regular dishwasher. The space they provide may seem negligible, but you'd be pleasantly surprised as to what you can fit up there.
What Do You Put on the Third Rack?
The third rack is perfect for long serving utensils and various cooking tools like spatulas and whisks. Just about any awkwardly-shaped utensil can find a comfortable space on the third rack. This space is also great for holding flat items like spoon rests, and even small measuring cups.
What are the Benefits of Having a Dishwasher with a Third Rack?
The number one benefit of a dishwasher with 3rd rack is additional space to accommodate long or awkwardly-shaped items. Loading long utensils vertically alongside regular flatware can interfere with the dishwasher's spray arm by blocking it and preventing it from fully spinning around. The third rack keeps those items out of the spray arm's way while still allowing everything to get fully clean. The extra rack space will also come in handy if you tend to have lots of company over for your meals. That extra space may wind up being the difference between being able to clean everything in one load, and having to spill over some items into a separate one.
Though it may seem like a small change, third rack dishwashers can really help out in a pinch. We hope this blog has helped you see the benefits that come with getting a third rack dishwasher. You'll wonder how you ever lived without it!