Strategies for intermittently mounting iPad on wall above kitchen sink

July 26, 2019 8:21 PM

Difficulty level: iPad must not fall into sink. Also accepting recs for waterproof/impact-proof screen protectors and iPad iNsurance (asking for a friend).

I want to watch things while doing the dishes. Snowflakes include:

-I use the iPad for things other than being a monitor, so whatever I use to mount it must allow for it to be removed and replaced as needed, possibly several times a day.

-The backsplash is made of something metallic and probably not amenable to nails/hooks/etc, but there's an enticing patch of drywall not far above it.

-iPad stats: 601 g / 241.2 mm x 185.7 mm x 8.8 mm / bug-type / hasty nature

-Similar to this (just add water) and this (if any of the links still worked).

Currently planning on using velcro strips on the back of the pad and on the wall, along with command hooks at the top and bottom of where I want the iPad to be mounted. Ideally either one of those by itself would suffice, but you never know. (Maybe a piece of saran-wrap stretched over those, to block water? Or a screen protector?)

If you have any better suggestions (or just reasons why this is an inherently bad idea, as I've begun to suspect), I'm all ears.

posted by queen anne's remorse to Home & Garden (9 answers total)

Best answer: How about this, which works with command strips but is more secure?

OR, another idea is getting a waterproof ipad case like this , then using two 3lb command wire hooks and placing them spaced apart so that the ipad case can be hung by the two holes in the case. When not being used, the ipad can just be unhooked and used while still in the waterproof case.
posted by many more sunsets at 8:45 PM on July 26, 2019 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I have used four 3M Command hooks to do this. Two on the bottom, pointed up, to hold the base. And one on each top side, pointed in, to hold it from tipping forward or to the side.
posted by nickggully at 8:47 PM on July 26, 2019 [1 favorite]

I too watch TV on an iPad when I wash dishes, and my protocol is this: I have an iPad stand (I currently use the Apple smart keyboard case, but any stand will do) and while I wash dishes I prop the iPad in its stand on the back of the dish drain. Works fine, except that there's a corner of the dish drain I can't put stuff in while I'm watching.
posted by escabeche at 8:51 PM on July 26, 2019

Best answer: clear file holder wall rack, like this

you mount the rack to the wall, then you can put the ipad in and take it out without having to fiddle with anything
posted by Jacqueline at 9:24 PM on July 26, 2019 [8 favorites]

IKEA sells two styles of tablet stands that are designed to hang from a wall-mounted rail: the VIVALLA stand (with the KUNGSFORS or SUNNERSTA rail) or the KUNGSFORS stand and rail combo
posted by Secret Sparrow at 9:28 PM on July 26, 2019 [2 favorites]

Or you could clamp it to your counter with this for $20:

https://www.amazon.com/Gooseneck-Tablet-Holder-Lamicall-Stand/dp/B07GQNRQ86
posted by oceanjesse at 8:25 AM on July 27, 2019

Best answer: What about either one/two of those adhesive rings that you can adhere to the back of a device + a matching set of command hooks? Or two popsockets with matching car mounts?
posted by past unusual at 10:11 AM on July 27, 2019

When I did this (mostly for recipes) I used a $3 plate hanger. Technology has improved since then, but it did work great.
posted by jessamyn at 10:33 AM on July 27, 2019 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I have a tablet on my fridge and I just use the normal/standard magnetic case cover. More than strong enough to hold it on there even when opening and closing the fridge door. I like it because it's just a regular case and I can just grab it and go if I need it. If you have metal above your sink I would try that before buying a specialty mount.
posted by bradbane at 10:55 AM on July 27, 2019