I do not take credit for this concept. I believe I read it years ago in a magazine (I’m guessing Cooks Illustrated or Martha Stewart Living) as a tip a reader suggested. If you know where it came from, let me know and I’ll gladly give credit where it is due.
Here’s the tip: After you’ve finished baking or used your oven and you are cleaning up, put the damp items in the still warm oven (this assumes you clean up right after you finish baking – the oven is turned off, but still warm) with the door open a crack and your stuff will dry quickly with no towel work (and be off of your counter while you are still cleaning up). The tip (and what I often use it for) recommended cookie sheets and cookie cutters, but I’ve used it for measuring cups, casserole dishes, etc. Watch for items that might break from going from cold to warm (glass/pottery). Also items might be hot/warm when you take them out of the oven so you likely want to protect your hands. Some items may tend to rust quicker with this method as well (I haven’t seen it with cookie cutters in a few years of doing it!).
