When Rachael announced that she was searching for the "Worst Kitchen in America," viewers from all across the country answered the call! Rachael received hundreds of tapes from people not afraid to show off their nightmare kitchens. With so many dilapidated kitchens worthy of the title, how was the worst kitchen chosen?

Go behind the scenes of the selection process.

Be sure to watch Friday's show when Rachael reveals which family has the "Worst Kitchen in America!" In the meantime, check out these kitchens that came awfully close to taking the title!

Lisa Watts, Boston, MA

When Lisa's kitchen tile floor started peeling away, she noticed something shocking -- another tile floor beneath it! One of her cabinet doors is completely off its hinges, and the rest won't even close. Plus, she's got carpeting in her kitchen, which is really helpful when you've got spill-prone kids running around!

See Lisa's kitchen.

Dawn Simon, Valley Center, CA

Among the myriad of flaws in Dawn's kitchen, her oven serves every function except the one for which it was intended -- cooking food! Since it doesn't work, Dawn uses it to store her pots and pans. And when the oven door is open, it blocks the back kitchen door from opening -- a great makeshift security device for would-be burglars!

See Dawn's kitchen.

Amanda Popp, Chilton, WI

Most people have a junk drawer in their kitchen. Amanda has an entire junk closet! Along with funky green counter tops and a floral print ceiling, Amanda's kitchen also has a medicine cabinet and sink. "It was here when I moved in," Amanda says. "I don't know what they were thinking -- maybe about adding a toilet and a tub?"

See Amanda's kitchen.

Jennifer Roth, Blackwood, NJ

Here's the story of a lovely lady, who was living ... in a outdated, Brady Bunch-style kitchen! Formica walls, bright orange counter tops, faux brick walls -- it's a kitchen even Alice wouldn't cook in!

See Jennifer's kitchen.

Though these families didn't have the worst kitchens in America, Rachael still hooked each of them up with a brand new set of her Furi knives and pots and pans. Plus, Sara Lee gave them $500 of their products.