Storage Solution: Where to Store Pot Lids

One of Maxwell's recent emails put the spot light on pot racks, the perfect solution for storing pots in a small kitchen. Not only do they put these hardworking tools within easy reach of the cook but they free up valuable real estate for other items. Plus, frankly, it looks cool. In our own home, we've taken this idea one step further...

Following in our parent's footsteps, we chose pots with lids that sport loop handles instead of knobs. We slip the pot lid's loop OVER the hanging handle instead of trying to find a place for it in a drawer or on a shelf. If your pot's lids have these kind of handles instead of a single knob (and it's increasingly the design of popular brands), it's an easy way to store a challenging item and keep valuable shelf space available for other things. Plus, you're less likely to misplace them. If you already have a hanging pot rack, try it and let us know in the comments if it makes your life a little easier.

Comments (16)

That's super smaht!

posted by hmr on July 11th 2008 at 1:23pm
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Smart!

posted by Daniel Poitiers on July 11th 2008 at 1:23pm
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Nice! But mine all have knobs. I just use a lid rack from Ikea mounted to the wall above the stove. The pots hang as well, but each from their perspective nail in the wall. At least everything is in one place.

posted by krpm1 aka Kelly:) on July 11th 2008 at 1:27pm
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gah i wish we had a spot for a pot rack! i love them

posted by akostalas on July 11th 2008 at 1:29pm
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I have one of those grids that Extra Space Storables sold, then discontinued and then had them again with hooks on a stretch of blank wall in my kitchen for those pots I CAN hang and I have a drawer in the bottom of my stove for all of my lids. I store my vintage spatter shield in a crack behind the stove's back and the wall and is held up by the small handle resting on the stove's back splash and is therefore within easy reach when I need it.

posted by ciddyguy on July 11th 2008 at 1:37pm
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I wish I could do a pot rack...they are really a veryvery smart solution...Got all my pots and pans in a circular drawer thing and it sucks...There is something nic about seeing them out and worn in...also inspires you to cook!

posted by otismgrotis on July 11th 2008 at 1:46pm
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I dumped my pot rack. Kitchen looked too junky. I'd love to have some of those nesting pots.

posted by quiltmaster on July 11th 2008 at 2:23pm
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I made my husband remove our pot rack when we got a ceramic cooktop. I was afraid I'd drop a pan on the cooktop and break it. Pot racks are also hard for me to reach as I'm vertically challenged so I don't miss having it at all.

posted by williamsweyr on July 11th 2008 at 2:36pm
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not only do i love the look, and feel, and room saving ability of pot racks, but they make using pots and pans easier! they're the best, and i'm going to do that with my lids now! thanks for the genius idea! love it!

posted by piratemptress on July 11th 2008 at 2:55pm
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can anyone give me any more info on that specific pot rack?

posted by sanna on July 12th 2008 at 3:20am
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I ran from the screen to the kitchen to try this one ... my pots DO this! Brilliant!

posted by luna on July 12th 2008 at 6:19am
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I saw this at a cooking store and went right home and tried it. It freed up a whole section of a cupboard. I had one old pot with a lid that had a knob. I realized it was redundant and set it free.

posted by Jeanne on July 12th 2008 at 11:14am
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I have one of those chrome wire shelf units - bottom shelf, wine rack and a top shelf with a wooden top inset. You know the ones. A bit passé now but ... the wire rack holds pot lids nicely underneath, rather like stacking plates in your dishwasher.

I made my pot hanger out of some some sort of commercial display rack I found at the thrift - 10 chrome hooks welded to a substantial 2x1" chrome bar that's screwed to the ceiling over the kitchen island.

posted by Poster on July 12th 2008 at 4:35pm
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Sanna, that pot rack looks like this one from Crate & Barrel http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=525&f=5585

I just moved to France and decided it was a good time to get rid of my old crappy inherited pots/pans and buy some grown-up ones. Now I know to make sure the lids have handles! Great idea!!

posted by Hannala on July 13th 2008 at 1:15am
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HA! this is the main reason i've been using to justify wanting new pots lately...too funny. upgraded pots are on my christmas list.

posted by DahliaCactus on July 13th 2008 at 1:39pm
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My pots and pans are not a matched set. I bought each separately from different brands, so I don't think they would display well. Maybe some day when I can afford to buy a matched set I'll try the pot rack thing.

posted by jooly on July 14th 2008 at 6:38am
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