Cast Iron Hanging Pot Racks

• Ceiling rack

One style of pot rack is one which hangs down from the ceiling. This isn't always the easiest to install, and you may have to pay a tradesman to install it for you. Some suppliers and furniture stores may install a ceiling pot rack for you included in the price of the furniture. There are chains which are attached to your kitchen ceiling supporting the wooden rack which is positioned horizontally in line with the ceiling. Various cast iron hooks allow you to hang your pots around it as necessary.

• Breakfast bar rack

Reaching up towards the ceiling every time you need pots and pans isn't the ideal choice for everybody. If you'd prefer something which is more grounded, have a look at racks which are located down the side of a breakfast bar. You can either buy these included with a breakfast bar, or buy a set of shelves or rack which is approx. 4 feet in height. You can align this with your breakfast bar or table to create a storage rack for pots.

• Expanding rack

Not everybody wants to show off their cast iron pots, and if you'd rather just put them in the cupboard out of sight, you can consider the expanding rack which fits nearly within your existing kitchen cupboards. When you open the cupboard, you can pull out the rack which has all your pots hanging from it. The rack is usually made from wood with metal components to create the sliding and expanding motion.

• Wall rack

If you have plenty of wall space that you're not using for other things such as family photographs or paintings, the wall is a great place to store your cast iron pots and other kitchen items. Sturdy metal hooks can be drilled into suitable places in your kitchen to create a wall rack. There may be a wooden bar placed horizontally across the wall, and then 4-5 hooks along the bar. This allows for more structure, and also causes less damage to your walls.

• Decorative hanging rack

While some people may prefer to store their cast iron pots away from view, you may want to make a feature piece out of yours. Hanging racks which are decorative feature several ornate and intricate swirls and other patterns, and may even have other shapes such as animals positioned at the top. With 2-4 hooks on either side of the hanging rack, you can easily fit all of your pots.

A general rule for pot rack height above the counter or island is 40 to 48 inches, measured from the top of the work surface to the bottom of the hooks.

Now, with the practical stuff out of the way, let’s go back to the fun part. What kind of rack suits your fancy? To answer this question, consider the following:

• What kind of feel is in your kitchen? Is it professional? Is it comfortable and inviting? Would you invite a friend to sit down at the kitchen table? Or would you rather they were in the living room or dining room? Your kitchen equipment should reflect your needs, that's for sure, but also the atmosphere of your cooking workspace.
• If it's just for meal prep, lean towards something simple and utilitarian (e.g. a sleek metal rack), but if you're going to entertain people in the kitchen, go for something more decorative or whimsical (e.g. a rack with wrought iron curlicues or a mixed medium rack with central shelf made out of wood).
• Often, a simple way to select a utilitarian item such as a pot hanger is to think about the colors and metalwork that is already in your kitchen. If you have a standard white stove, white fridge, and chrome sink, then a little more chrome will probably fit right in.
• If you have a country cottage designer sink, a wood cooking range (or gas or electric that looks like one), a refrigerator that looks like an ice-box, then you might want a simple black frame and wood pot hanger, or even one with wrought iron decorations.
• If your kitchen is fully furnished with built-in cabinets, or if you are renting a house, you might not want to install a ceiling mounted or wall mounted pot hanger. In such cases, an organizer for the inside of existing cabinets would be a good choice. Another option would be the free-standing pot display or even a countertop sorter.

In the long run, your goal is simple: to have a pot rack that will keep your cookware organized and easy to find. But there is no reason why it should not look good, too.