As Kitchen and Bath month comes to a close (how is it almost April already?) and Small Cool 2010 is about to begin, we thought this DIY might be the perfect segue into April. For those lacking abundant counter space or storage, this magnetic under cabinet spice rack could cure your kitchen woes.
Using some metal and glass spice jars, magnets, a drill, cardboard and superglue, Garrett of Instructables made this unobtrusive way to store your spices without having them take over your valuable counter space.
For full instructions and a step-by-step slideshow, visit Instructables: Magnetic, under-shelf spice rack.
(Image credit: Garrett Tillman / Instructables; Found via Craftzine.com blog)
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haha, my grandpa had jars like that in his basement for storing screws and nails. Old baby food jars with the lids nailed to the bottom of a shelf should also do the trick :)
The concept is great but the execution could use some work. why install tiny magnets to the underside of the cabinet when you could just install a magnetic knife strip? that way, you wouldn't have to always hunt for the location of the magnet and you wouldn't have to ensure that the magnets under the cabinet were exactly aligned with the magnets on the spice jar.
And I would probably have installed the magnets around the jar itself and not on the lid so that the jars would face label forward when installed. But then again I can never tell the difference between basil and oregano... maybe some others can :)
I really struggled with storing my ~40 standard-sized spice bottles. My criteria was that they be behind closed doors (I didn't want to see them or have them get covered in cooking schmutz), but I didn't want them taking up valuable space in my small kitchen, either. The unused space between the floor of my pantry cabinet and the lowest shelf rollout (an area of ~30" x 30" x 3.5 " high) proved to be perfect. Into this space now slides a wood "spice tray" that I made that has sides and row dividers just high enough to keep the bottles from sliding around. The spice bottles lie side by side (10 in each row, four rows total) and the whole thing can be pulled in and out with ease thanks to felt on the bottom.
I've also read (I believe on AT) that using a metal ruler with those metal, magnetic spice jars works well too. Especially for using under the cabinets.
I considered doing that to my spices a while ago, but I was afraid if I didn't screw one of the jars well enough, a terrible accident would happen.
Am I the only one so clumsy/weak not to trust myself with this kind of stuff?
Ditto Erik, I think it was on AT that I saw somebody use a mounted metal ruler & magnetic lids for this!
I agree that it could use some fine tuning but this is a fantastic idea! Thanks AT!
Arranging the spices in the color spectrum would add a great effect.
Like AnnieStuart's grandpa, my dad stored screws, nails, etc. in old baby jars like this with the lids nailed to the top of the shelf.
I love when I have an idea and then see it on AT. I feel so validated. :) I have a bunch of leftover little jars from our wedding last year (they held candles), and have been planning on doing this very thing as soon as I finish my kitchen backsplash and walls. I was going to get a couple of magnetic knife racks from IKEA and fill the jars with spices, grains, and flours.
Any concerns about spices being that exposed to light? I've heard they do best in cool, dark spaces...
I'll still take my old JKAdams wooden revolving spice rack. Mounts under the cabinet, holds 24 spice jars, spins smoothly.
But they don't sell them anymore.
why install tiny magnets to the underside of the kitchen pantry cabinet when you could just install a magnetic knife strip? that way, you wouldn't have to always hunt for the location of the magnet and you wouldn't have to ensure that the magnets under the cabinet were exactly aligned with the magnets on the spice jar.