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If you are looking for a solution to help with kitchen clutter, or just want to display your collection of pots and pans, then perhaps a pot rack is just what you need. Available in a variety of styles and configurations, pot racks can add style to your kitchen as well as provide convenient storage space for your cookware and utensils. Choosing the right pot rack to suit your needs and fit your decor should not be an arduous task if you know what to look for. Consider the space you will be using. For smaller kitchens, or kitchens with low ceilings, wall mounted pot racks may work best, because they are typically smaller than ceiling hung pot racks, and some even have shelf space. Corner pot racks and wall-mounted bar pot racks also work well in kitchens where space is at a premium. Ceiling-mounted pot racks are suspended from the ceiling with heavy chains or rods and are generally placed over kitchen islands, counters or stoves.
Once you have determined what type of pot rack you need, you can
concentrate on the style. Pot racks can be found in oval,
rectangular, round and square shapes. Some include shelves, or
grids that can hold cookbooks, lids, plants, utensils, or
whatever you'd like to store there. Take your cues from the
decor. Before you purchase your pot rack, you will need to measure the space where you are planning to hang it. The majority of pot racks manufactured today are made to fit ceilings that are eight or nine feet high, in order to accommodate cooks of average height. Add six to ten inches to your height, taking into consideration the length of your arms, for a comfortable reach. Remember that you will only need to reach the bottom of your pot or pan to remove it from the hook -- it is not necessary for you to reach the hook itself. You will also need to measure the distance between the ceiling joists where you are going to install your pot rack, since the pot rack must be secured to the joist. The figure below illustrates how to find the right size pot rack for your kitchen, taking into account the size of the rack, the height of the ceiling (in this example the ceiling is 9 feet high) and the height of the cook (5' 6") plus six to ten inches for reach.
Many pot racks come with chains and hooks, but if you need extra chain or extension rods, you may have to order them separately. It makes sense to order them at the same time, so that there is no confusion when you go to hang your pot rack. To install your pot rack, you will need a screwdriver, drill, tape measure, pencil, eye screws and wood glue. With the pencil, mark the points where you will attach your ceiling hooks to the joist. Some manufacturers call for a 2" x 4" piece of wood to be attached to the joists from the attic. Read your instructions carefully before starting this project to make sure you have everything you need. After you have marked the points of insertion for your ceiling hooks, drill pilot holes into the ceiling, taking care not to make the holes wider than the eye hooks. Screw the eye hooks into the holes until the threads have disappeared. Once the hooks are secure, attach your hanging chain or extension rods. Ask someone to help you lift and hang the pot rack onto the hooks, and then you're ready to add the pots and pans.
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