The StoveShelf is an under-$40 storage upgrade that every kitchen should have
StoveShelf Magnetic Shelf for Kitchen Stove
Available in three sizes and three color options, the magnetic StoveShelf allows you to easily make use of an underutilized area of your kitchen. I grew up in suburbia with a nice, big kitchen, but I've never really had more than a foot of counter space and a handful of kitchen cabinets in my adult life. This poses a challenge not only when it comes to preparing food but also when it comes to storing the many, many tools that are necessary for cooking. Over the years, I've become pretty adept at keeping my cookware to a minimum — I pretty much exclusively use the Our Place Always Pan and Perfect Pot, which are pretty enough to double as decor atop my stove — and coming up with some creative kitchen organization solutions (I use this Ikea pegboard to hold all my kitchen utensils, for example, but that's a story for another day).
I didn't so much find the StoveShelf as the StoveShelf found me. It's been years, but if I recall, I heard about the StoveShelf by word of mouth (I know a few other CNN Underscored editors are also fans). Since I'm perpetually starved for storage space, I didn't think twice about implementing it in my kitchen.
Adding the StoveShelf to your own stove couldn't be easier. It's magnetic, so all you have to do is literally set the shelf on top of your stove — just be sure to test that the top of your stove is, in fact, magnetic with a fridge magnet before you buy. These aren't flimsy magnets either; it takes some effort to pull the shelf off the stove once it's stuck on, which is ideal, since I don't need to worry about the shelf becoming dislodged and falling into my food. Once I installed mine, I couldn't imagine my stove without a StoveShelf ever again.
Available in three different lengths (20, 24 and 30 inches) as well as three color options (stainless steel, black and white), there truly is a StoveShelf for every stove. It took me some time and trial and error to decide what exactly to use mine for (probably very obvious pro tip, but it's not the best place to display a candle), but here's where I eventually landed: My StoveShelf is the official home of my garlic keeper (here's a similar one to mine), measuring cup, egg poachers, salt and pepper shakers and butter crock, which I do one day hope to use but is actually more decor than anything else at the moment. Are these my most prized culinary possessions? Not necessarily, but I do reach for them fairly frequently (or at least like looking at them), and having them stored just above my stove works out to be quite convenient.
The biggest draw of the StoveShelf, though, is that it just makes sense. Why would you ever want to leave any storage space on the table? The answer: You wouldn't.
Is it safe to put a shelf above the stove?
Is it safe to put a shelf above the stove?
The StoveShelf is made from steel and is safe to place above your stove. However, you should be sure to only use the StoveShelf if your stove is compatible with the product, and you should only use it to store items that aren't sensitive to heat or could be at risk of falling onto your stove.
CNN Underscored has a team of skilled writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when applicable to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item. For this article, editorial director Chelsea Stone detailed her use of the StoveShelf, a product she has in her own very tiny kitchen.
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USA Today
08-08-2025
- USA Today
'Buy Nothing' or free groups help neighbors give (and receive) items at no cost
Naomi Serviss scored a bookshelf and a guitar stand. Michelle Wolf got three spin bikes — two for a teacher friend's classroom and one for herself. Joni Holderman got a gently used rug that retails for $1,000. They're part of a growing trend of consumers giving and getting things — for free — via local community groups that are often titled "No Buy," "Buy Nothing," or tagged with the words "Free in" and a community name, on Facebook or other web platforms. These groups provide a connection among community members and neighbors who want to give things away for free or people who are looking for items. It also helps the environment by keeping unwanted belongings out of the trash or landfill. It is a super-local gifting economy, said Naomi Serviss of North Kingstown, Rhode Island. She has received and given away countless items in Buy Nothing groups both in her current hometown and New York City. Giving away and receiving "electric treasures" Serviss is a long-time thrifter. But getting something for free is even better. When Serviss lived on Manhattan's Upper West Side, she scored what she calls free "eclectic treasures." Among them were African masks, soft sculpture art, decorative sofa pillows and even a runner rug that fit her hallway, she said. "I happily gave away brand-name raincoats, sporty hats and a wedding guest formal gown worn once to my nephew's Albany wedding eight years ago," she told USA TODAY. One of her favorite "gets" was a "stunning" red embroidered kimono, Serviss said. She mounted it on the wall of her one-bedroom apartment. "It was a thing of beauty and when it was time to relinquish it, I joyfully passed it on to an interested neighbor," she said. When Serviss and her husband moved to Rhode Island, she found a new local Buy Nothing group. Serviss gifted a new set of turquoise Ikea stoneware to a person who had posted an "ISO" or "in search of" message for kitchen supplies for her grandson's new apartment. "Coincidentally, that same member was offering a striking antique African doll," said Serviss. "When she responded to my interest, she mentioned how much her grandson loves the dishes and wanted me to have the doll!" How does a Buy Nothing or No Buy group work? The largest network of Buy Nothing groups on Facebook and via a web portal is through the Buy Nothing Project, which was founded in 2013 by two friends, Liesl Clark and Rebecca Rockefeller, in the Pacific Northwest when they saw a beach full of washed-up plastics of every shape, color and size. There were three reasons the ladies started the first group, Clark told USA TODAY in an interview: to help save the environment, to create a gifting economy to share items, and to help people connect socially with each other. "We all need each other and we can create a circular economy within our community and keep sharing our stuff, especially kids stuff and clothes," she said. The women had met on Freecycle, a longstanding web platform where people can post things they are giving away. The friends launched their own concept on Facebook, creating their first Buy Nothing Group in Bainbridge Island, Washington. Within hours, it went from the two ladies to hundreds of people. The idea has now become a worldwide social movement, with 12.85 million users in groups on Facebook and 1.5 million people participating in the BuyNothing App, which also can be accessed online at People from 44 nations have registered Buy Nothing groups on Facebook and downloads of the app come from about 193 countries, Clark said. "We never intended to grow a social movement," she said. "We intended to just solve a problem in our own community, which was the amount of plastics washing ashore." How to participate in a Buy Nothing group It costs nothing for people to participate in a Buy Nothing group. If someone wants to create a new Buy Nothing group on Facebook, it costs $10 for a license. The project then sets up the group and loads the general rules to get the group started, Clark said. Clark said there are groups on Facebook that use the Buy Nothing name and don't register, which is a violation of the trademark, but her group is not big enough to "police" it. There are also groups formed on Facebook that have similar concepts of offering free items within a community, or people who give things away on Facebook Marketplace and are not affiliated, she said. The Buy Nothing Project has also developed a mobile app and website, which is available for people who don't want to be on Facebook. People can find local groups or participate in a global group online or on the app, paying a minimal shipping fee for their free item. That helps open up the concept to people in communities that might be too small for their own group, Clark said. Save money: What is No Buy July? We explain the trend that can save you money. What are the rules of a Buy Nothing or free group? The Buy Nothing groups all agree to some general rules, including that money can't be involved and no illegal activity is allowed. But then, each group has its own rules. Michelle Wolf's group near Pleasantville, New York, asks the gifter to wait six hours before they pick a "winner." Wolf said when she's gifting something, sometimes she picks someone based on their "story" and sometimes she uses an app to pick someone randomly. Wolf "won" a spin bike when she explained that her friend, a teacher for students with disabilities, had a classroom spin bike that broke. The kids in the classroom were thrilled, and so was the gifter, Wolf said. She also got a second bike for the friend's classroom and then one for herself. Holderman said she loves the Buy Nothing group because "it transforms our mindset from one of scarcity and struggle to one of abundance and sharing." A $1,000 "free" rug The best thing Joni Holderman of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina has received in her group was an 8-by-10-feet rug from West Elm that, when she looked up the retail value, turned out to be worth $1,000. "I know it was lightly used, but it's wonderful," she said. Holderman has given away a large beach-themed dresser and a sofa, among other things. While she still donates to charities, for something like a sofa, she'd have to haul it there. Instead, someone came and got it. Holderman said she'd also rather give things away to someone grateful instead of getting some money for selling it on Facebook Marketplace. "There's that whole haggling over the price. It's almost an adversarial relationship." Free groups help people struggling in this economy The Buy Nothing community and similar groups are especially helpful in today's economy, Clark said. "Everyday people are struggling and our economy is kind of questionable where it's going to go and we want to be that safety net," said Clark. The groups connect people to each other. "They come for the stuff," Clark said, "and they stay for the community." Betty Lin-Fisher is a consumer reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at blinfisher@ or follow her on X, Facebook or Instagram @blinfisher and @ on Bluesky. Sign up for our free The Daily Money newsletter, which will include consumer news on Fridays, here.
Tom's Guide
07-08-2025
- Tom's Guide
5 IKEA kitchen dorm room essentials that every student needs
Getting ready for college is an exciting time, there's lots to look forward to, from meeting new friends, to communal living and gaining more independence. But, whether you're a freshman, upperclassman, or anxious parent, the experience will be smoother if you have these 5 kitchen essentials to hand. What's more, IKEA is a great place to shop for all those kitchen dorm room essentials, as they won't take a chunk out of a student budget. So, whether you're the one off to college or a parent, here are my top 5 IKEA kitchen dorm room essentials I recommend. Keep your perishable food chilled in this mini TILLREDA refrigerator. It's part of IKEA's range of kitchen appliances and sits alongside the TILLREDA portable induction cooktop I tested earlier this year. This free-standing version, in white, has a 1.54 cubic feet capacity and measures 18 5/8 (W) x 17 3/4 (D) x 19 3/8 (H) inches. However, before you buy, check if your college has any restrictions regarding electrical equipment. This set comprises one single pan and two pans with glass lids. The stainless steel set is perfect for cooking up pasta, sauces, or for simply boiling an egg! They are even suitable to use on an induction cooktop. So, save on takeouts and cook your own fresh and tasty homemade dinners. Add a splash of color to your dining with this pretty 16-piece set of flatware, and impress your new-found friends when you entertain. But you'll have to be quick, as it's a limited edition. Keep your food fresh with the help of this set of five storage containers. The transparent storage is made of glass with multi-colored lids. They are stackable, microwave, freezer and dishwasher safe. The set comprises two larger containers and three smaller pots. This 2-piece knife set includes a 10 5/8-inch cook's knife, and a 7-inch paring knife. Each has a stainless steel blade and a polyproylene handle, and you'll have to remember to handwash them as they are not dishwasher safe. One reviewer says the knife set is ideal for beginners, while another says the blades are super sharp. Verified students can also make a 15% one-time saving before September 30, 2025. While IKEA is also offering a 10% discount off 'College Essentials' when 10 or more items are bought in one purchase. (Please refer to IKEA for the full terms and conditions). Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
Tom's Guide
29-07-2025
- Tom's Guide
IKEA's new $14 storage gem will double your space — and it's perfect for dorm rooms
When it comes to home organization on a budget, you can always rely on IKEA to instantly maximize your storage space. And if you have a college student getting ready to move into a dorm room, it's very easy to get overwhelmed with too much stuff. This is especially the case if it's a tiny dorm room with limited space. Luckily, IKEA is now selling a new space-saving solution that makes use of vertical space, and is perfect for college dorms. This spacious storage box is ideal for storing essential college dorm items. It measures 30 x 30 x 42cm and comes with a secure lid. Plus, its light gray-blue color looks stylish. The TRÖSKNING Bin with lid is just $14 is originally designed for sorting dry waste to be recycled; however, these can be used to store any item, such as school or craft supplies, or even dried food goods. What's more, it's 7 gallons deep, which is adequate to store plenty of items, and is freestanding or stackable to maximize space. Plus, its neat design adds a modern touch to any room decor, without the expensive price tag. Perhaps my favorite thing about this storage bin is its versatility. You can either have them freestanding or stacked up in a corner, buying you extra floor space. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. It also has a handy feature of an opening slot at the front to quickly drop items in, without removing the whole lid. Plus, the two integrated handles make it easy to lift for easy portability. Making the IKEA TRÖSKNING Bin the perfect, dorm room essential. So if you want to double your space, you'd better grab one (or two) today. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
