Why Do You Need a Dish Rack (and How Easy Is It to Install)
If you’re running out of cabinet space or looking for a new way to organize your pots and pans, a pot shelf is often a great solution for both large and small kitchens. And you can hang it yourself with just a few tools and an hour or two of your time.
How to choose the right pot rack
Pot racks come in many shapes and sizes, so choosing the one that’s right for you is an important first step. Consider the size of your space, the part of the kitchen you want to use, and the number and weight of your pots and pans.
There are racks with storage space for lids on top, which is a good additional option to save space. In narrow spaces, the single bar with hooks can be hung from the ceiling or wall. To increase the footprint, you can attach a semi-circular post or a small rectangular post. If you have a large work space, such as over a kitchen island, a round or large rectangular counter will provide access from all directions.
To find the one that’s best for you, measure the space and remember that you need to be able to reach the pots and lids, so make sure the rack allows you to keep items within arm’s reach.
Find a wall or ceiling rack
There are several ways to place your racks on a ceiling or wall. The most common search engine is carnation. They use a magnet to locate the nails holding the beams to the rest of your home’s structure, and is the surest way to find studs (unless your beams don’t have a lot of plastering).
If you don’t have a nail finder, you can measure it. The framing of the house is built at 16 or 24 “intervals – this means that there should be uprights in your walls every 16 or 24”. To find a rack in the wall, measure 16 inches from the corner of the room, then look for confirmation in the form of electrical outlets, switches, or other existing shelves. If your house doesn’t line up within 16 inches, try 24.
Another way to find studs is to perform a “knock test”. Sometimes you can hear the void between the uprights by knocking on the wall. The wall near the counter will appear less hollow. You can use this method to confirm the dimensions of the posts in your walls and ceiling.
On the ceiling, you need to determine the direction in which the struts will move. The wall uprights are always vertical and the ceiling beams are horizontal, so they can be moved from front to back or from right to left. There are clues in the form of fixtures or ceiling fans to attach to the beam. If your fixture is 16 or 24 inches from the wall, you can bet there is a beam in there. If the beam does not go in that direction, try measuring in a different direction.
Collect these tools to set up a pot rack
When you’re ready to set up the rack, you’ll need a drill and – if the rack didn’t have its own equipment – some large eye-hooks. To select lugs, check the packaging for any weight restrictions on the equipment. For a large rack, each hook should be able to support 20-50 pounds, depending on the weight of your pots.
Please check your hardware size for drill size. If the size is not listed on the package, you can bring your equipment to the hardware store to compare for size. Be sure to choose a drill designed for drilling wall panels or plaster, depending on what your walls or ceiling are made of and wood. You will also need safety glasses to protect your eyes from dust and pieces of wood.
Take some measurements and markings
Once you’ve prepared your drill and equipment, it’s time to measure the distance between the hooks along the beam you selected. Most pot shelves come with chains to hang them from – measure the distance between the chains on the shelf to determine how far the chains should go.
To get an idea of where your rack will fit, you can set it on a countertop or on the floor below where you intend to hang it. Then, using a plumb line or washer tied to the rope, mark where you want to drill the holes. To do this, hang a plumb line from the ceiling above the post, aligning your weight with where the chain is attached to the post, and mark.
Hang up the rack
After making the mark, drill the holes and screw the fasteners. (Wear safety goggles for this part because drilling looking up is a great way to get a peephole full of sawdust.) If your eyelet is snug, you can insert a screwdriver into the eyelet so that the lever pivots as soon as you hit a thread. started. You should now be ready to hang the rack on the hooks and arrange the pots and pans.