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The Best Cookbook Stands That Make Reading Recipes Easy

These options will help you keep your hands free and your cookbooks clean

Two cookbooks in cookbook stands on a brown background

The Spruce Eats / Photo Illustration by Chloe Jeong / Retailers below

If you regularly use a cookbook or tablet to work your magic in the kitchen, you likely know the struggle of craning your neck to look down at recipes lying flat on the counter. Using a dedicated cookbook stand not only gives you a better angle for reading, but some even protect the pages from spills, splatters, and other messes. The one that's right for you, however, depends on the size of your kitchen, the material and design you desire, where you'll store it, the thickness of the book or tablet that needs holding, and more.

What We Like
  • Adjustable angles

  • Folds for storage

  • Easy to wipe clean

What We Don’t Like
  • Modern style might not fit all decors

  • A little expensive

  • No splatter shield

When you need a cookbook holder that you can use wherever you’re working, this is the one to choose. Made from aluminum and acrylic, it can handle messy splashes in the kitchen, wiping clean easily. Even better, it’s fully adjustable, so the book can be held higher or lower, and at any angle for perfect reading, whether you’re working on a high counter or a lower table. It also rotates 360 degrees, when you’re sharing a cookbook on the island.

Two flexible clips with rubber tips hold the book open while not obscuring the view. The clips can also be moved to the back, when using the holder with a tablet. When cooking is done, it folds for more compact storage.

Dimensions: 13 x 9 x 3 inches | Base Material: Aluminum and acrylic | Splatter Shield: No

What We Like
  • Adjustable

  • Folds flat for easy storage

  • Nonslip base

What We Don't Like
  • No splatter shield

If you own a bamboo cutting board or a few light wood utensils, this cookbook holder will match well with your style. The back is adjustable to five different reading angles that you can change depending on where you place the stand or what device or size book you're using. You can hold the pages in place with a pair of clips attached to the front edge of the holder. When it's not in use, it can be folded flat for easier storage.

Dimensions: 11 x 0.39 x 8.5 inches | Base Material: Bamboo | Splatter Shield: No

What We Like
  • Classic look will fit many decors

  • Adjustable lip for large or small books

  • Up to 1000 characters for customization

What We Don’t Like
  • Font not customizable

This wooden cookbook holder has a sleek, simple, yet solid design that will look good in many décors, from modern to farmhouse. It’s made from beechwood, and is available with a walnut stain, or a weathered gray.

Assembly is simple—just slide the lipped piece through and stand it up. While the reading angle isn’t adjustable, the lip can be adjusted to hold thick or thin books, and it comes apart easily for flat storage. This comes from a veteran-owned company, and is made in America.

Dimensions: 11 x 11 inches | Base Material: Wood | Splatter Shield: No

What We Like
  • Attractive

  • Sustainably sourced materials

  • Easy to store

  • Durable

What We Don't Like
  • Pricey

Made from sustainably harvested American walnut with a clear varnish, this simple wooden stand can fit well in the décor of many kitchens. At 12.75 inches wide, it can hold most cookbooks, while the front lip helps to keep pages from flipping. While it’s not adjustable for very thick books, it can handle standard cookbooks with ease. The back brace folds closed for more compact storage when the stand isn’t in use.

Overall Dimensions: 12.75 x 8 x 7.5 inches | Base Material: Walnut wood | Splatter Shield: No

What We Like
  • Sturdy

  • Good splatter protection

  • Adjustable

  • Folds flat

What We Don't Like
  • Large footprint

Great for large, heavy cookbooks, this wide stand keeps your books neatly open, while the acrylic shield protects pages from kitchen messes when you’re searing steaks or measuring unwieldy ingredients. The black metal hinge makes it easy to fold down the shield when it’s time to turn the page, and it also allows the stand to fold flat for compact storage. You can also adjust the reading angle until it's comfortable for you. The base is made from cherry wood, and the front shield and back brace are made from sturdy acrylic.

Dimensions: 15.75 x 6 x 1.5 inches | Base Material: Cherry wood | Splatter Shield: Yes

What We Like
  • Versatile

  • Easy to store

  • Adjustable

What We Don't Like
  • Too small for some cookbooks

This minimalist design from Japan is perfect for small spaces. It’s made from white powder-coated steel for strength with an ash wood top piece that adds an attractive design element. The simple base slides easily to accommodate books of any thickness or even items as thin as a tablet. For easy recipe reading, the sliding base allows books to be held at different angles for the best viewing, whether you’re baking your favorite cake or following a step-by-step recipe for paella.

Dimensions: 7.87 x 8 inches | Base Material: Steel | Splatter Shield: No

Best for Electronic Devices

Stump Stand

Stump Stand (Black)
PHOTO: Amazon
What We Like
  • Small footprint

  • Versatile for all electronic devices

  • Grippy base

  • Multiple viewing positions

What We Don't Like
  • Somewhat wobbly with larger devices

With so many recipes available electronically, a stand that can accommodate devices is valuable to plan and prepare weekly meals. The Stump Stand is crafted from durable silicone, has a metal weight inside for stability, and can hold nearly any electronic device, from cell phone to tablet. 

The silicone base is grippy, keeping your device secure on the counter, and grooves in the base provide a variety of viewing angles. And, the small profile fits any size of kitchen counter and makes it easy to transport and store. The cutout for the home button of your device is the icing on the cake for this versatile option.

Dimensions: 1.38 x 1.38 x 0.63 inches | Base Material: Silicone/rubber | Splatter Shield: No

Best Farmhouse Style

SKWIRRLE Wood Cookbook Stand

SKWIRRLE Wood Cookbook stand
PHOTO: Amazon
What We Like
  • Chalkboard for notes and messages

  • Attractive when not in use

  • Adjustable angle

  • Hanging loop

What We Don’t Like
  • Not the best for super-thick books

Great for any rustic décor, this cookbook holder can be adjusted for five different reading angles. The loop on the long handle means this can be hung from a hook when it’s not in use, or leave it on the counter and use the chalkboard area for notes and messages.

The black metal holder keeps cookbooks open, but can be removed as well. A handy conversion chart can come in handy when adjusting recipes. Not just for books, this can also hold tablets. The chalk and an eraser are included.

Dimensions: 11 x 8.7 (excluding handle) inches | Base Material: Wood | Splatter Shield: No

Final Verdict

For the best of the best, let your cookbook or tablet rest on the Amasrich Adjustable Holder. If you're looking for something sleek and chic, we like the Yamazaki Home Cookbook and Tablet Stand.

What to Look For in a Cookbook Stand

Materials

This comes down to aesthetics and functionality. Metal and plastic cookbook stands offer ease of cleaning. Plastic is generally lightweight but can be less durable than other choices. Metal offers stability but is heavy and often not as easy to store. Wood cookbook stands are attractive but require some care to keep the wood pristine. 

Size

A quick inventory of your cookbook collection should give you a good idea of your needs in the size department. Some cookbook stands offer adjustable areas to accommodate a number of different sizes and orientations of cookbooks. Be sure to check the measurements of your largest and smallest book against the dimensions of the stand you are considering. 

Another factor is the amount of space you have on your kitchen counter. For cozier places, one of the under-counter space savers or a collapsable model that stores easily might be right. If you have loads of space, you can think more about purchasing a statement piece that becomes part of your kitchen aesthetic. 

Design

There are many elements to consider in the design department, the big one being whether or not it has a splatter shield. If you have a lovingly curated collection of books you want to keep safe from stains and spills, a splatter shield is a must. Another option if you have books or loose recipes that need to be secured, but not necessarily protected from spills, is page clips to keep everything in place. 

On the features front, an adjustable viewing area is something to think about. Most cookbook collections comprise books of different sizes, and adjustable stands allow flexibility. Plus, they often fold flat for storage, and if you use a tablet or device for recipes, it’s nice to have something versatile that can accommodate all of your cookbook stand needs.

FAQs

What else can I use my cookbook stand for?

Pretty much any reading material is fair game for cookbook stands. Most can hold tablets, magazines, homework materials, sheet music, and so on. The multipurpose design makes it easily transportable to other tasks that normally occupy your hands, and most are small enough to move from room to room. Next time you want to stream a movie or practice the saxophone, grab your cookbook stand. They can even become part of your decor with photographs or decorative plates.

Are cookbook stands easy to clean?

It depends on the material you choose and whether your model has a splatter shield. 

Acrylic and metal models tend to be the easiest to clean if you have any splatter or errant food debris—most wipe or spray clean. Wood models are sturdy but require extra care. They are prone to humidity and water damage, and some might need a swipe of mineral oil to preserve their functionality and beauty. 

A shield protects your cookbooks and loose recipes but needs to be cleaned periodically. Made of acrylic or glass, a quick dose of Windex restores them to pristine condition. 

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

With a dad who was a machinist and a mom who loved to cook, the author of this roundup, Donna Currie was probably predestined to become enamored with kitchen gadgets. From garlic presses to food processors, she loved to tinker with them all, testing their pros and cons, and always looking for the best of the best. Her love of gadgets and cooking led to a recipe blog, Cookistry, and a cookbook, "Make Ahead Bread." Her work has appeared on Serious Eats, Fine Cooking, and more.

Carrie Honaker, who updated this roundup, is a food writer, restaurateur, and avid home cook. Her work has appeared in many publications, including Bon Appetit, Allrecipes, and Wine Enthusiast.

Additional reporting by
Carrie Honaker
Carrie Honaker The Spruce Eats
Carrie Honaker is a freelance writer specializing in food, wine, travel, and culture. Her work has appeared in Bon Appetit, Wine Enthusiast, Allrecipes, and more.
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