Protect Your Pans: Best Storage Solutions

Pots and pans are essential in every kitchen, but they can be tricky to store. They're big and bulky, and with so many shapes and sizes, it can be a challenge to find a place for them all. Here are some ideas for what to put between pots and pans to maximise your storage space and keep your kitchen organised.

One option is to use a designated cabinet for your pots and pans. Stack them in size order and use a cookware rack as a divider to keep them organised and prevent scratching. Alternatively, you can install a hanging rack or a slide-out rack within a cabinet. If you're looking to save space, you can hang them from pot rails on a wall or across a window. For a stylish option, display them on a vertical pot rack or a hanging pot rack above your stove.

If you have deep drawers, you can store your pots and pans there, either with or without their lids. To save even more space, you can nest them with protectors like paper towels or felt pads to prevent scratching and absorb moisture. For larger pots and pans, utilise your pantry space or install a roll-out organiser in your cabinets.

Another idea is to use open shelving or a pegboard to store your pots and pans. This adds a stylish, farmhouse feel to your kitchen while keeping your cookware easily accessible. You can also use a rail or two on the wall next to your stove and use S-hooks to hang your pots and pans, with lids stored safely between the rails and the wall.

Stacking with protection

Stacking pots and pans is a great way to save space, but it can be a tricky process. Here are some tips to help you stack your pots and pans effectively and protect them from scratches and other damage:

Group by Use and Size:

First, group your pots and pans by use—frying pans, saucepans, casserole dishes, etc. Then, stack them by size, starting with the largest on the bottom. This will create a stable base for the smaller items.

Use Protectors:

To prevent scratches and damage, use protectors between each pot and pan. You can use old cloth napkins, felt protectors, or even spare potholders. These will also help to keep your cookware in place and prevent stacks from toppling over.

Keep Lids Together:

If you have the height space, keep the lids with their respective pots and pans. Flip the lids upside down so that the handles face downwards. This creates a flatter, smoother surface for stacking and keeps the sets together.

Use Internal Racks and Dividers:

If you're storing your pots and pans in a cabinet, use internal pan racks and risers to keep them organized and prevent them from toppling over. You can also line drawers with a pegboard liner, which can be adjusted to separate different types of cookware and keep them in place.

Store Lids Separately:

If you prefer to store lids separately, there are a few options. You can mount a rack on the back of the cabinet door to slot them into, or stack them vertically in drawers, separated by dividers or tension rods. Alternatively, you can store them in a nearby cabinet or drawer, using a lid organizer to keep them standing upright.

Choose the Right Storage Space:

Deep drawers are ideal for stacking pots and pans as they provide ample space and easy access. If using a cabinet, consider installing pull-out racks, especially in corner units, to make retrieving your cookware easier.

Remember, stacking your pots and pans is a great space-saving option, but always handle them with care to prevent damage. Regularly used cookware is less likely to accumulate dust and scratches, so be sure to reach for all your pots and pans, not just the ones on top of the stack!

Hanging on a pegboard

Hanging pots and pans on a pegboard is a great way to save drawer and cabinet space in your kitchen. Pegboards are simple to install and highly versatile, allowing you to hang a variety of items, from pots and pans to utensils and measuring cups. They can also be easily customised to suit your needs and rearranged whenever you see fit.

To install a pegboard, you'll need a few basic tools, such as a drill and a tape measure. You can purchase the necessary materials, including the pegboard and mounting hardware, from a hardware store or a home improvement store like Lowe's or Home Depot. The pegboard usually comes in 2x4-foot pieces, but you can cut it down to the desired size. Paint the pegboard with a clear polyurethane to seal it and prevent water damage.

Once the paint is dry, attach two wooden planks to the back of the pegboard to add stability and serve as anchor points for mounting. Drill holes through the pegboard and planks, and then into the wall. Insert wall anchors into the holes and drill screws through the board and into the anchors.

Now comes the fun part: organising and decorating your pegboard. Use hooks, shelves, and baskets to hang your pots and pans, as well as any other kitchen tools you want within easy reach. You can also add a file sorter to hold lids or get creative with other accessories.

Pegboards are a great way to maximise storage space and show off your copper cookware or other fancy pans. They can be a stylish and functional addition to any kitchen, especially smaller ones with limited cabinet and drawer space.

Using a slide-out rack

If you want to build your own slide-out rack, you will need the following materials:

• Heavy-duty drawer slides
• Boards (e.g. pine, plywood)
• Hooks (e.g. screw-in hooks, clothesline hooks)
• Screws
• Sandpaper/sander
• Drill
• Glue
• Metal glides/drawer glides

The first step is to measure the depth of your cabinet and cut your boards to size. You will need two boards that are at least as long as your drawer slides but not longer than the depth of your cabinet. You may also want to sand and paint the boards to achieve your desired finish.

Next, attach the drawer slides to the boards. This will involve marking, pre-drilling, and screwing the slides into place. Make sure to check that the slides are square and flush with the boards and that they are parallel to each other.

Once the slides are attached, you can add hooks for hanging your pots and pans. Mark the centre line of the lower board and arrange your pots in the order you want to hang them. Then, mark and pre-drill the spots for your hooks and screw them into place.

Finally, attach the slide-out rack to your cabinet. If your cabinet has a solid top, you can simply screw the rack into place. Otherwise, you may need to use L-brackets or create a custom bracket to secure the rack.

And that's it! You now have a slide-out rack to organise your pots and pans and make your cooking experience more efficient and enjoyable.

Storing lids separately

Hooks

Use hooks to hang lids on the inside of a cabinet door. You can use adhesive hooks, such as Command hooks, or screw in some large hooks if you have wooden kitchen units. If using adhesive hooks, you'll need two or three per lid. Position the hooks at an angle so that the lid can slot down and be held in place. Alternatively, you can hang the lids by their handles on the hooks.

Rack

Mount a rack on the back of a cabinet door to slot lids into. Position the rack opposite their counterpart pans so you can match them quickly and easily. If you're storing pots and pans in deep drawers, you can also stack lids vertically along one side, using tension rods to separate them.

Magnetic strip

If your lids are magnetic, you can hang them on a magnetic strip, such as the kind used to hold knives. Install the strip on a kitchen wall or behind a cabinet door.

Shelving

Store lids on the top shelf of a wire shelving unit in your kitchen or pantry. If you don't have space in your kitchen or pantry, you could put the shelving unit in a nearby mud room or garage.

Dividers

Use drawer dividers to organise lids in a kitchen drawer. Cut plywood pieces slightly shorter than the length of the drawer and use them to separate the lids. Measure your lids to see how far apart to space the dividers.

Hanging from a ceiling rack

Hanging pots and pans from a ceiling rack is a great way to save cabinet space and display your cookware. Here are some tips and things to consider for hanging your pots and pans from a ceiling rack:

Types of Ceiling Racks

Ceiling racks come in various styles, including:

• Straight bars
• Ovals
• Rectangles
• Industrial pipe design
• Wooden shelf with metal pipe

Installation

When installing a ceiling rack, it is important to consider the weight of the rack and the items that will be hung on it. Ensure that your ceiling can support the weight. Most ceiling racks come with installation hardware and instructions. Some racks can be installed using drywall anchors, while others may require mounting on joists or studs. It is important to carefully measure and follow the instructions to ensure a secure installation.

Adjustability

If you have high ceilings, look for a ceiling rack with an adjustable chain so you can adjust the height to suit your needs.

Weight Capacity

Different ceiling racks have different weight capacities, so choose one that can support the weight of your pots and pans. Some racks can hold up to 100 lbs, while others have a lower capacity.

Hooks

Most ceiling racks come with hooks for hanging pots and pans. Consider how many hooks you will need and whether the rack has enough to support your cookware. Some racks also have additional hooks for utensils like spatulas and ladles.

Lighting

Some ceiling racks feature lights, which can add a warm glow to your kitchen and showcase your cookware.

Lid Storage

Consider how you will store the lids for your pots and pans. Some ceiling racks have space behind the bars to tuck the lids away, while others may require a separate lid storage solution. You could also hang the lids on the rails or hooks along with the pots and pans.

Frequently asked questions