Yamazaki Ladle & Lid Holder: Small vs. Large (Which Size Fits Your Lids?)
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Yamazaki’s Tower ladle and lid holder is the small steel stand that won America’s Test Kitchen’s lid holder test. On Amazon it now comes in two sizes, Small and Large, and it’s natural to assume that bigger lids need the bigger stand.
The specs and buyer reports suggest that’s not quite how it works. The two stands are almost the same height, and the main thing that keeps a lid from fitting seems to be its thickness, not its diameter.
To be upfront: I haven’t tested either size myself. This comparison is based on the manufacturer’s listings, America’s Test Kitchen’s test results and buyer reviews on Amazon. One limitation: the Small has years of reviews, while I could find only one detailed review of the Large.
The short answer
- Get the Small if you want a lid rest that takes up as little stovetop or counter space as possible. It’s the version America’s Test Kitchen tested, and it handles big, heavy lids.
- Consider the Large if you want to stand spoons and spatulas upright in the tray and you have a bit more room. Don’t buy it just because your lids are large.
Side by side
| Small | Large | |
|---|---|---|
| Size (L × W × H, as listed) | 3.94 × 3.94 × 5.91 in | 4.84 × 5.51 × 5.98 in |
| Footprint | about 15.5 sq in | about 26.7 sq in (about 70% more) |
| Weight | 0.86 lb | 1.09 lb |
| Tray | Removable | Removable, with notches to hold utensils upright; listed as dishwasher-safe |
| Heat resistance | up to 320°F (listed) | not stated in the listing |
| Colors on Amazon (Oct 2026) | White, black | Black |
| Part number | 2248 (white) / 2249 (black) | 1552 |
| Tested by America’s Test Kitchen | Yes (model 2249) | No |
The rating on Amazon is 4.7★ from about 7,700 ratings as of October 2026, but that number covers both sizes together, so it doesn’t tell you how the Large does on its own.
What fits on the Small
A lot more than you’d expect from a 4-inch stand.
- America’s Test Kitchen tested lids from 6 to 13 inches across and weighing up to nearly 6 pounds. The Yamazaki stand held every lid and utensil securely, and it was the only model that could also hold a tablet.
- Buyers report it holding the heavy lid of a 6-quart cast iron Dutch oven, the lid of a 7-quart Lodge Dutch oven, a 12-inch square glass lid, a big slow cooker lid, and an extra-thick lid with a 1-inch silicone rim.
It’s also small enough to sit between the burners on a four-burner stove, which buyers mention.
Good to know
- When a lid is on it, there’s no room for a spoon. One buyer in a small galley kitchen ended up buying two more for that reason.
- America’s Test Kitchen listed it as not dishwasher-safe, and noted that a few drips can escape the tray. Some buyers put the removable tray in the dishwasher anyway.
What’s different about the Large
The Large isn’t just a scaled-up Small. It’s barely taller (5.98″ vs. 5.91″), but it’s wider and deeper, and the tray is designed differently: it has notches that hold spoons, spatulas and ladles upright, and the listing says it’s dishwasher-safe. The extra room is mostly behind the lid, for tools.
The one detailed review I found of the Large sums up both sides:
- It held the heavy lid of a 6-quart Staub Dutch oven.
- It did not hold the same buyer’s 13-inch glass lid, which was too thick to fit.
- There’s plenty of space behind the lid for big spoons and turners, but with a lid in place, those tools are awkward to reach.
That 13-inch lid is the important part. America’s Test Kitchen’s lid test went up to 13 inches, and the Small handled it, yet a thick 13-inch lid didn’t fit the Large. So the size of the stand doesn’t decide whether your biggest lid will fit. How thick the lid is (especially at the rim) seems to matter more.
Two Smalls or one Large?
A common wish from Small owners is somewhere to put a spoon while a lid is on the stand. The Large’s tray answers that, but some buyers have another solution: buy two Smalls, one for the lid and one for spoons.
The numbers are closer than you’d think. Two Smalls take up about 31 square inches. One Large takes up about 27. And with two stands, you can put them in different places, such as one between the burners and one next to the cutting board.
Which one for a small kitchen?
If counter space is tight, the Small. It’s the proven design, it handles big and heavy lids, and its footprint is about the size of a coaster. Add a second one later if you find yourself wanting a spoon rest too.
The Large makes sense if you like the idea of a single “station” for a lid plus your main cooking tools, and you have room beside the stove for it. Just don’t count on it to fix a lid that’s too thick for the Small.
For other small-kitchen ideas, see my 7 Yamazaki kitchen picks for small kitchens.
Star ratings and rating counts are from the Amazon.com product page as of October 2026 and may have changed. Counts include ratings from other Amazon stores and cover both sizes. Product details are from the manufacturer’s listings.
Sources:
- America’s Test Kitchen, The Best Lid Holders (May 1, 2017)
- Yamazaki Home Ladle Holder (Small) and Lid & Ladle Stand (Large) product listings on Amazon.com
