Repurpose The Empty Space Above Your Fridge Into An Herb-Drying Station

Fall is here, and it's time to preserve as much from the garden as possible. Drying herbs is a lovely way to experience a bit of summer during the cozy seasons, but doing so requires an empty spot with decent airflow. The top of your fridge or a separate freezer (as long as it's not in a dirty garage) is an ideal underused spot to get those sprigs of herbal goodness ready for storage. However, keep in mind that if your fridge is too close to a stovetop, dishwasher, or sink, it could expose the drying goodies to extra moisture and either slow the process or even possibly ruin the herbs.

The top of a fridge provides a horizontal surface that's at a premium in any kitchen, but it also typically comes with a decent chunk of air space above it that's ideal for hanging. Laid out flat on the right material, herbs will dry to perfection up there. You can also give your kitchen a touch of cottagecore aesthetic. Hang bundles of parsley, dill, and even flowers like lavender and calendula from a rack or a DIY solution that's pretty as well as practical.

Start off with a thorough cleaning of the appliance top, since that's an oft-ignored area that accumulates dust and grease. You may want to lay down a sheet of wax paper on top of your fridge or freezer right afterward to catch buildup and make clean-up easier. There are many ways to dry herbs, but a few basics are worth knowing to make the most of your harvest. Remove any damaged stems, leaves, or seeds from your freshly picked herbs, and rinse or give them a bath in cool water. Pat them dry or spin away moisture with a salad spinner.

If you prefer function over form, herbs laid flat and well-spaced on a cloth or paper towel is a quick method and not particularly visible from standing level. Lay the towel atop a cookie sheet to make moving the setup easier. You can even sandwich a cooling rack between the two layers to boost air flow. Make horizontal drying cute by putting together this DIY herb drying rack that relies on embroidery hoops, doilies, and twine. For the classic look of bundled herbs, think of vertical spots above the fridge that can accommodate hangers of some sort. Household items like towel racks or adhesive hooks on little-used cabinet doors can help you create space-saving herb drying racks for your kitchen.