Consumer Reports Picks The Top Kitchen Products From IKEA

Many people consider the kitchen the center of the home, making it an integral part of everyday life. Owning the best kitchen products can go a long way when it comes to making your cookroom perform well; selecting the right products yourself, however, can take a lot of trial and error. Fortunately, Consumer Reports has shed some light on their top kitchen product picks from IKEA, selecting two items in particular: the BEKVÄM Step stool and the VARIERA Pot lid organizer. The acclaimed product reviewing company says that the stool is "a must in kitchens and is perfect for reaching items and helping children become more independent, too," while the pot lid organizer can "help you get all your pot and pan lids in order."

Both of these items can be affordable additions to your kitchen. The BEKVÄM step stool retails for $29.99. The design of the product comes with a clever handle on the top for moving it around or out of the way, while the solid rubberwood design is ideal for longevity and aesthetics. Rubberwood is renowned for its eco-friendly nature, since it is only harvested when the trees are no longer useful for latex or rubber making.

The VARIERA Pot lid organizer costs only $7.99 and can be expanded to comfortably fit your cabinet or drawer. The sleek appearance of the VARIERA can work well in many kitchens since it has a clean, stainless finish. Rubber feet, meanwhile, ensure it stays stable while holding all of your pot lids.

If you're considering selecting these products for your home, some more research is merited. For starters, IKEA's BEKVÄM stool resembles a discontinued customer favorite, and it has earned a 4.6-star average rating from customers. It measures at 19.62 inches high by 16.87 inches wide by 15.37 inches deep, and it has a weight capacity of 220 pounds, making it versatile and sturdy. Available in the attractive rubberwood finish or painted white, it can easily fit into a variety of kitchen decor aesthetics. Customers love the appearance, value for money, and performance of this piece, with many mentions of how easy it was to assemble. One customer review says, "It's much sturdier than imagined and practical. I like the way it looks in my kitchen area. It's an upgrade from the plastic stepper I previously had and the one from the hardware store."

In order to keep your BEKVÄM looking its best and performing well, it's smart to use wood oil periodically to nourish the material. When it becomes grimy from splashed sauces or coffee drips, IKEA advises that the stool be wiped down with a cloth and wood-safe cleaner. If you find that your stool is getting a little wobbly, that means it is time to tighten the screws (remember to keep the necessary screwdriver in a handy location for easy access).

While the VARIERA is a simple kitchen resource, it's one of the best products at IKEA to help you organize your kitchen. Customers have given this product a 4.6-star average rating, just like the BEKVÄM. The organizer is praised for its performance, ease of use, and appearance. One highly positive reviewer writes, "[It's] definitely the cheapest yet sturdiest pan/lid holder I have found! I love it! I'm very happy it is adjustable for my tiny pantry, thanks IKEA." Be certain to measure the clearance in your drawer or cabinet to guarantee that the VARIERA will fit your space. It can be compressed to a minimum length of 3.25 inches or expanded to a maximum length of 19.75 inches. Additionally, it has a total width of 5.75 inches and a height of 4 inches.

Beyond using it just for organizing your pot lids, customer reviews mention that it can securely hold frying pans and skillets. Another customer says that they use their VARIERA to hold wooden cutting boards while they are being oiled overnight. You can declutter your pantry with this super affordable IKEA kitchen item, which can hold salmon pouches, bags of nuts, and other slim food packages. Outside of the kitchen, you can also put the VARIERA to work in your closet, where it can hold small clutches and baseball caps (brim-side down) for a more organized space.