How many of you out there are familiar with the many different varieties of pot racks available to you? Are you up to date on the types, styles, finish/color, brand and size of these amazing kitchen space savers? I thought so.

 

English: collection of copper saucepans in kit...

English: collection of copper saucepans in kitchen of Vaux-le-Vicomte castle Français : Batterie de casseroles en cuivre, dans la cuisine historique du château de Vaux-le-Vicomte (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Today I am going to give you the opportunity to learn all there is to know about Pot Racks. Keep a pen and paper handy. You might want to take notes. Seriously, by the time you read down to the bottom of this information, you will be an expert in Pot Rackology.

 

 

 

 

 

I will begin by saying that pot racks have been used as far back  as the 1400’s. Back then pot racks were mainly used by lower-income families because the kitchens in their homes were small with little to no extra space. These early versions of pot racks were hung on hooks from either the ceiling or one wall in the kitchen. There also were versions that were tripods with hooks for pot  and pans, which were placed in one corner of the kitchen floor.

The roasting spit in this European medieval ki...

The roasting spit in this European medieval kitchen was driven automatically by a propeller the black cloverleaf-like structure in the upper left. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Now to speed things up just a little, along came the 21st century. Modern kitchens, modern kitchen appliances, modern kitchen pot racks. So do you think pot racks have come along and progressed down through the centuries? Do you think they have features and benefits that are far beyond the reach of 15th century man? My answer to these two questions are, “Yes, they have” and “Yes, they do.”

 

Let’s start from the top and then work our way down. The first feature of pot racks I will present to you will be Types of Pot Racks. There are 4 basic types of pot racks. These 4 types of pot racks are Hanging Pot Racks, Wall Mounted Pot Racks, Lighted Pot Racks and Standing Pot Racks. I will go over each of these types of pot racks for you.

 

Hanging Pot Racks are hung from your kitchen ceiling usually by chains bolted to the ceiling. Depending on the shape of your hanging pot rack, there are three to four chains to support your pot rack’s suspension.

 

"Rogar Classic Black & White" (Rectangular)

Rogar classic Black & White

Usually if the hanging pot rack is square or rectangular shaped, there is a need to have four chains to level the support of the hanging pot rack. If it is a triangle or a round shape, there is need for only three chains for proper level support.

 

Wall Mounted Pot Racks are just what the words say. These pot racks are mounted to the wall of your kitchen. So there is a need to have one side of a wall mounted pot rack flush so the pot rack can be mounted firmly against the wall. When mounting a wall mounted pot rack it is advised to mount it into the studs inside the wall for it’s greatest support.

 

Old Dutch 104-CP Satin Copper

Some wall mounted pot racks swivel. All this means is that a hinge is built into the pot rack either  on the right or left side. This will enable the wall pot rack to swing out away from the wall.

 

There are two more types of pot racks available for those of you with more room in your kitchen.

 

You could use a Floor Standing Pot Rack. These are usually tripods with shelves built into the center of the tripod for storing your pots and pans. This unit takes up little space on a corner of your kitchen floor.

 

" The Standing Tower Of Enclume"

Enclume 6 Tier Standing Pot Rack

The other floor standing pot rack is a kitchen island food preparation station. These kitchen islands are constructed of wood or metal frames with butcher block food prep countertops. The pot rack is built into the back side of the island. You have the option of placing a kitchen island pot rack either in the middle of your kitchen floor or up against one of your kitchen walls.

 

Style is the next topic I will discuss. There are styles to consider when searching for your perfect pot rack. The different styles are Traditional, Contemporary, Early American, Rustic/Lodge, Old World, Country, Victorian, Southwestern and Whimsical. Out of all these styles available to you, you are sure to pick one out to match the theme of your kitchen.

 

Moving right along we have Finish/Color. Here too you have choices. You may choose from Beige, Black, Brass-Antique/Satin, Brass-Polished, Bronze, Bronze-Oil Rubbed, Browns, Chrome-Brushed, Chrome-Polished, Copper, Gold, Gray, Natural Iron, Nickle-Brushed, Pewter, Rattan/Wood, Reds,Rust,Silver,Stainless Steel,Hammered Steel, Tans and Verde. If you are unfamiliar with any of these, just go online (GOOGLE- it) and have a look.

 

Just if you are wondering about price, you can pick one of these pot racks up in a price range starting at less than $100.00, But depending on what you are looking for, the price can be well over $700.00.

 

All of the pot racks that I am informing you on are brand names such as 2nd Avenue Lighting, AF Lighting, Artcraft, ARTEflorum, Capital Lighting Fixture Company, Concept Housewares, Craftmade, Cricket Forge, Dr. Livingstone I Presume, Enclume Design Products, Forecast, Golden Lighting, Grace Manufacture, Hy-Lite, Hinkley, Hubbardton Forge, Kalco, Kenroy Home, Kinetic, Livex Lighting, Maxim Lighting International, Old Dutch International, Old World Design, Advantage Components, HSM Racks, Checkolite, Range Kleen, Quintana Roo, Ram Lighting, Rogar International, Royce Lighting, Savoy House, Smokey Mountain Metal Arts, Stone Country Iron Works, Stylicon, Triarch International, Troy, Varaluz, Vaxcel and World Imports.

 

I’ll bet you didn’t think that this many companies were manufacturing some sort of kitchen pot racks. I hate to be a name dropper, but you’ve heard the expression, “The quality goes in before the name goes on.” We are certainly talking quality here.

 

When it comes to shape, you will find that these pot racks come in Round, Rectangular/Square, Oval, Straight Bar, Half Round, Corner, Shelf, Stand and Unique.

 

The size of your kitchen pot rack will vary in-depth and width. With the depth ranging from 10 inches to more than 20 inches, depending on what you are looking for. Your pot rack widths will start out at less than 25 inches and go to widths greater than 37 inches.

 

Kitchen pot racks are both a convenience and a space saver for your kitchen. You have a lot of choices. You can go with basic construction or you can go with artful room decor. Whatever your choice may be, a kitchen pot rack is the right decision.

 

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