Tiffany Haney
Pots and pans are essential in every kitchen, but they can be challenging to store due to their size and shape. While hanging racks are a popular option, they may not suit everyone's preferences or space constraints. Here are some creative ways to organise and store your pots and pans in a designated cabinet:
- Stack pots and pans in size order to optimise space and ensure smaller items don't get lost at the back.
- Use a cookware rack as a divider to keep pans organised and prevent scratching.
- Place cabinet dividers to accommodate awkwardly shaped items like baking sheets and smaller pans.
- Utilise deep drawers to store pots with their lids on.
- Install roll-out or pull-out trays in your cabinets to easily access items at the back.
- Keep lids in a separate location, such as in a dish pan, basket, or drawer near the range.
- Store less frequently used pots and pans in a pantry or basement storage.
- Edit your collection by donating or recycling items you don't use regularly to free up space.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Above the stove, inside a cabinet, in a drawer, on a wall, on the ceiling, in a pantry, on a kitchen island, or on open shelving |
| Organisation | Stacked in size order, hung on hooks, placed on a rack, stored in a pull-out drawer, or placed on a Lazy Susan |
| Accessibility | Should be stored near the range for convenience while cooking |
What You'll Learn
Using a pull-out cabinet
Pull-out cabinets are a great way to store your pots and pans efficiently, keeping them organised and easily accessible. Here are some tips for using a pull-out cabinet:
Choose the Right Cabinet
Select a pull-out cabinet that suits your needs and space. You can opt for a ready-made option or design a custom cabinet to fit your kitchen layout. Consider the size and weight of your pots and pans when choosing a cabinet.
Utilise Hooks and Racks
Install hooks or racks within the cabinet to hang your pots and pans. This maximises space and makes it easier to retrieve items. Ensure the hooks are sturdy and can bear the weight of your cookware. You can also use adjustable hooks to accommodate different sizes and shapes of cookware.
Consider Full-Extension Slides
Look for pull-out cabinets with full-extension slides, which allow you to pull the cabinet out completely. This feature ensures you don't have to stretch or bend to access your cookware, making it more convenient and comfortable to retrieve items.
Soft-Close and Ball-Bearing Slides
Some pull-out cabinets feature soft-close slides, which gently return the cabinet to its closed position. This can be useful for preventing accidents and ensuring the cabinet closes smoothly. Additionally, ball-bearing slides provide a smooth and effortless sliding motion when opening and closing the cabinet.
Customise with Dividers and Trays
You can customise your pull-out cabinet with dividers or trays to create dedicated spaces for different types of cookware. For example, you could have a section for lids, a rack for baking sheets, or angled shelves to store pots and pans of various sizes.
DIY Options
If you're handy, you can build your own pull-out cabinet using an H-frame and side-mount drawer glides. This option allows you to customise the cabinet to your specific needs and space constraints. You can find step-by-step instructions for this DIY project online.
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Hanging pots and pans on a pegboard
To get started, you'll need to decide how much you want to hang on your pegboard. Do you want to hang up all your kitchen gear or just the essentials? This will help you determine the size and strength of your pegboard. Pegboards come in a variety of materials and shapes, such as steel and wood, and squares and rectangles.
Once you've selected your pegboard, it's time to create a display system that works for you. Arrange your most-used tools within easy reach. If you spend a lot of time baking, you might want to hang your baking gear. If you frequently use your chef's knife and serrated knife, ensure there's room for those.
When it comes to hooks, standard v-hooks and u-hooks will serve most of your needs for pots, pans, and utensils. You can also get creative with 6-ring tool holders, large double arm hooks, and magnets for smaller items like measuring spoons and knives. Little shelves and baskets can be installed to hold items that can't be hung.
Finally, consider the weight of the items you'll be hanging. If you plan to hang heavy items like cast iron pans, you may need to use stronger anchors to support the weight.
With these tips in mind, you'll be well on your way to creating a functional and stylish pegboard display for your pots and pans!
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Storing lids separately
One option for storing lids is to install a rack on the back of a cabinet door. This allows you to slot the lids in and still have them close to their matching pots. If you're storing pots and pans in deep drawers, you can stack lids vertically along one side, using tension rods to separate them.
If you have the space, you could also use a freestanding pot rack to display your pots, pans, and their lids. These usually have multiple tiers, giving you plenty of storage room.
For those with drawers, rather than cabinets, you can use drawer dividers to keep your lids in place. You can buy these, or make your own by cutting plywood to fit your drawer.
If you don't want to drill holes in your walls or cabinets, you can use adhesive hooks or command strips to hang your lids. Alternatively, you can use a magnetic strip if your lids are magnetic.
If you have a lot of lids, you could use a plate rack or a wire shelving unit to store them.
For a cheaper option, you could use a simple box or basket to keep all your lids together in your cabinet.
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Using a Lazy Susan cabinet
A Lazy Susan cabinet is a great way to utilise space in your kitchen, especially in those hard-to-reach corner spots. The spinning mechanism of a Lazy Susan allows you to easily access your pots and pans, and with the addition of some organisational tools, you can maximise your storage space.
Firstly, consider using a heavy-duty pan rack on your Lazy Susan. This is particularly useful for non-stick pans as it allows you to stack them safely without the risk of scratching. For stainless steel pans, you can stack and arrange them directly on the Lazy Susan shelves.
To save space, you can place the lids of your pans upside down on top of their respective pans, ensuring the knobs or handles are inside the pans. This also keeps the lid and pan together, making it easier to find what you need. If you have a lot of lids, you can use a lid organiser, such as a cheap metal organiser from the Dollar Tree, to keep them neat and easily accessible.
If you have a multi-tiered Lazy Susan, use dividers to separate your pots and pans from other kitchen items. For example, you could use one shelf for your pots and pans, and another for baking supplies, tea bags, and disposables.
To make the most of your Lazy Susan, group like items together and store heavier items on the lower tiers, keeping frequently used items at the top.
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Storing pots and pans in the oven
There are a few considerations to keep in mind when deciding whether to store pots and pans in the oven. Firstly, it is important to remember that the oven is not always the most accessible place for cookware, especially when it is in use. If you cook frequently and use a variety of pots and pans, storing them in the oven might not be the best option as you will have to remove them each time you want to use the oven. This can be inconvenient and create extra work, especially if you have a large collection of cookware.
Additionally, safety is an important factor to consider. Forgetting that the pans are in the oven and preheating it can be dangerous, as it can result in burning hot metal and potentially damage non-oven-safe cookware. It is crucial to establish a habit of checking the oven before turning it on to avoid any accidents.
However, for those with limited cabinet space, storing pots and pans in the oven can be a practical solution. It is important to weigh the benefits of having easily accessible cookware against the potential drawbacks of having to remove them each time the oven is in use.
Ultimately, the decision of whether to store pots and pans in the oven depends on individual preferences, cooking habits, and storage space availability. Some people choose to store only certain types of cookware in the oven, such as cast iron skillets or baking trays, while keeping the rest in cabinets. It is a matter of finding a storage system that works best for your needs and ensures a safe and efficient cooking experience.
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Frequently asked questions
If you don't have a lot of cabinet space, you can hang your pots and pans on a wall or ceiling-mounted rack. You can also use a pegboard or a kitchen cart for extra storage.
To avoid a cluttered look, stack your pots and pans in size order and use a cookware rack as a divider to keep them organised and scratch-free. You can also use cabinet organisers, such as dividers or roll-out trays, to keep things neat and make it easier to access items at the back of the cabinet.
If you don't want to store your pots and pans in a cabinet, you can hang them on a rack above your stove or sink, or install a hanging rack in your dining room or kitchen island. You can also store them in a pantry, on open shelving, or in a drawer if they fit.
To maximise limited kitchen space, consider using a Lazy Susan or pull-out drawers to store your pots and pans. You can also hang them on the inside of cabinet doors or use a kitchen cart for extra storage.
To organise pot lids, you can store them in a separate cabinet or drawer near your stove. You can also use a lid rack or an over-the-door lid organiser to keep them within easy reach.
