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Pots and Pans All Over the Place?? Let’s Fix That.
When it comes to organizing your kitchen, one area that can quickly become a mess is your pots and pans.
Not only do they take up a lot of space, but it can be difficult to find the right one when you need it.
You’ve gotta dig through your mountain of cookware, accidentally drop a few in the process, and pull out the one you want.
What a PAIN in the…
Fortunately, there’s a solution!
In this article, we’ll discuss the best pot and pan organizers on the market to better organize your miscellaneous collection of cookware.
And by the end, I’m sure you’ll have found the perfect one for you!
Let’s jump in…
"But I really don't have time to read this entire awesome article right now..."
That’s understandable!
Here are some of the best products you’ll want to check out:
Best Pot and Pan Organizers - Quick Picks
(Check out the rest of the recommendations below.)
Why You Should Get One and the 5 Main Different Types of Organizers
It’s incredibly annoying fumbling through a mess of different pots and pans that you collect over the years.
Luckily, these specific organizers were made to tackle this exact problem.
Not only do they keep your kitchen looking cleaner and more organized, but they also:
- Save space inside your kitchen cabinets/drawers
- Save you time when looking for a specific pot or pan
- Make it easier to clean inside your cabinets/drawers
There are 5 main types (with 3 subtypes) of pot and pan organizers available:
Note: This is not “official” or anything; It’s just how I grouped them based on my research.
- Pots and Pans Organizers for Cabinets & Drawers
- Subtype 1: Extendable/Expandable Length
- Subtype 2: Adjustable Height
- Subtype 3: Fixed Position
- Wall Mounted Pots and Pans Racks
- Pull Out (Slide Out) Pots and Pans Organizers
- Hanging Racks for Pots and Pans
- Over-the-Door Lid Organizers
Who knew there would be all these many different kinds?!
To be fair, a lot of times they aren’t even separated into different categories. And consumers like you and me just end up seeing all of them as being the same.
However, based on the many products I’ve seen, I can comfortably say there are enough differences between each category to justify separating them. Each type has its own set of features that make them more/less useful in different scenarios.
Below we’ll go over the 5 main types, a brief description, as well as their pros & cons.
This will help you determine and narrow down which one will work best for your kitchen.
We’ll also go over some of the top recommendations for each category. This way you’ll have plenty of good quality products to choose from.
No more generic, one-size-fits-all, cookie-cutter recommendations like other blog posts!
1.) Organizers for Cabinets & Drawers
These are the organizers you will most commonly see.
They’ll come in a variety of sizes and styles to fit your kitchen needs and will come in a series of racks or shelves that fit inside your cabinets/drawers.
And they can be split further into 3 subtypes:
1. Extendable/Expandable in Length: These will organize pots and pans on their sides. They extend/expand horizontally, and the spaces in between can be customized to different lengths.
2. Adjustable in Height: These will organize the pots and pans on their bottoms. The shelves/racks on them can be adjusted vertically.
3. Fixed Position: These organize the pots and pans on either their sides or bottoms; But the racks/shelves are NOT customizable horizontally nor vertically – they have a fixed number of racks and cannot be adjusted.
Best Pots and Pans Organizers for Cabinets & Drawers
Key Pros, Benefits, and Cons to Consider
The Good
The Not-So-Good
2.) Wall Mounted Racks
If you have limited cabinet space in your kitchen, a wall-mounted pots and pans organizer can be a great solution.
These racks are designed to be mounted directly onto the wall, freeing up valuable cabinet space.
Wall-mounted pots and pans racks usually have hooks that allow you to hang your pots and pans from them.
Some models also have shelves or racks for storing lids or other kitchen utensils.
These racks are usually made from metal or wood and can be mounted to the wall using included hardware.
Note: I highly recommend using better mounting hardware, if possible. This will increase the organizer’s overall weight capacity. Sometimes the included screws and anchors are too fragile.
Best Wall Mounted Pots and Pans Racks
Key Pros, Benefits, and Cons to Consider
The Good
The Not-So-Good
3.) Pull-out (Slide-Out) Organizers
These organizers are installed inside your cabinet and feature a sliding mechanism that can be pulled out of the cabinet like a drawer.
They’ll need to be bolted down, so make sure you take proper measurements of your cabinet beforehand to make sure these will work for you.
Best Pull Out Pots and Pans Organizers
Key Pros, Benefits, and Cons to Consider
The Good
The Not-So-Good
4.) Hanging Racks
A hanging rack for pots and pans is a type of kitchen organizer that is designed to attach and hang directly from the ceiling instead of a wall. They’re ideal for kitchens with limited cabinet, drawer, wall, and counter space.
It consists of a series of hooks or arms that can hold various types of cookware, including pots, pans, and even utensils.
Best Hanging Racks for Pots and Pans
Key Pros, Benefits, and Cons to Consider
The Good
The Not-So-Good
5.) Over-the-Door Lid Organizers
Over-the-door organizers are designed to be installed on the back of a cabinet door and can hold a variety of lid sizes and shapes.
These all typically have multiple slots or compartments to hold lids of different sizes and are made of durable materials such as metal or plastic.
These organizers have 3 ways of installation:
#1. Brackets
- These are my favorite of the 2 other methods because brackets are NOT permanent. You can move them somewhere else if you need to.
#2. Screws
- Be careful of the screw length with these! If your cabinet doors are pretty slim then the end of the screw will easily poke through to the other side.
#3. Adhesive hooks
Note: Before you purchase, make sure that the lid organizer will fit on your cabinet door. Measure the width and height of the door to ensure that the organizer will fit properly.
Best Over the Door Lid Organizers
Key Pros, Benefits, and Cons to Consider
The Good
The Not-So-Good
Bonus: Best Budget Organizers
Nothing fancy here… just a few great budget-friendly options for your consideration!
All of these were under $15 (at the time of this writing); Perfect if you’re just looking for nice and cheap.
VARIERA Pot lid organizer, stainless steel
How to choose the RIGHT pot and pan organizer for YOU
When it comes to choosing a pot and pan organizer, the first obvious thing you should consider is the TYPE of organizer that will work best for your needs.
If you have a small kitchen, perhaps a wall organizer could work since it can take advantage of free wall space.
(You can also free up some kitchen space using some useful magnetic kitchen organizers or floating shelves.)
Tall ceilings? Then a hanging organizer might not be the best option .
If you have a larger kitchen with lots of drawers and cabinet space, then a regular cabinet or drawer organizer may be a better choice.
Here are some other important factors that you should keep in mind:
Size and Weight Capacity
The first thing that you should consider when choosing a pot and pan organizer is the size and weight capacity.
You need to make sure that the organizer you choose can accommodate the size and weight of your pots and pans.
Ease of Installation
Another important factor to consider when choosing a pot and pan organizer is the ease of installation.
You want to choose an organizer that is easy for you to install; Emphasis on the word: “YOU”.
Not everyone is comfortable drilling holes, measuring, etc. - and that’s okay.
Budget
Your budget is another important factor to consider when choosing a pot and pan organizer.
You want to choose an organizer that fits within your budget. Keep in mind that more expensive organizers may have more features, look fancier, and have better quality, but you can still find a good organizer at a reasonable price.
Durability and Longevity
You want to choose a pot and pan organizer that is durable and will last for many years.
Look for organizers made from high-quality materials, such as stainless steel or heavy-duty plastic. (The recommendations you see here will check off this box )
Additionally, you want to choose an organizer that is designed to withstand regular use and can hold up to the weight of your pots and pans.
Aesthetics and Style
Finally, you want to choose a pot and pan organizer that looks great and matches your kitchen's style.
Consider the color and design of the organizer and how it will look in your kitchen.
You may also want to choose an organizer that matches your other kitchen accessories (just an idea!).
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: "What materials are pot and pan organizers typically made of?"
A: From what I’ve seen, here are the top 5 materials that they’re made of:
- Stainless steel
- Wire/Metal
- Plastic
- Chrome-plated steel
- Wood
Q: "Are pot and pan organizers easy to install?"
A: Overall, with the exception of pull-out organizers, installation is easy and straightforward; But it depends on which exact type of organizer you choose!
If you’ve got pretty good DIY skills, have drilled holes before, and can take decent measurements then installing any of these organizers is simple.
Some organizers require basic assembly and you’re done.
Q: "Can pot and pan organizers be used for other kitchen items besides pots and pans?"
A: Yes!
Many of these organizers have versatile designs and adjustable features that make them suitable for organizing various other kitchen items. Here are some of my favorite examples/ideas:
- Cutting Boards
- Serving Trays
- Utensils and Kitchen Tools: such as spatulas, ladles, tongs, and whisks. They often feature hooks, slots, or compartments where you can hang or place these tools for convenient access.
- Mixing Bowls
- Measuring Cups
- Small Appliances: such as small waffle makers, food processors, or stand mixers.
- Tarantulas… Kidding! Just making sure you’re paying attention
Q: "How do I clean and maintain my pot and pan organizers?"
A: All you need is a microfiber towel and some water mixed with a little bit of mild dish soap.
Wipe them down occasionally when they’re grimy, dusty, or dirty.
Q: "What are the weight capacities of pot and pan organizers?"
A: This largely depends on the material and the type of organizer.
However, hanging and wall organizers can hold around ~30 to ~40 lbs of weight (on average).
While regular cabinet & drawer, pull-out, and over-the-door organizers can support much more than that.
Make sure you read the listing of whichever organizer you select to confirm its exact weight capacity.
Q: "What are the price ranges for pot and pan organizers?"
A: Based on my research, here are the average prices I’ve seen for each of the 5 types:
- Cabinet & Drawer: $25-$35
- Wall-Mounted: $40-$50
- Pull-Out: $50-$60 (Some are $80+)
- Hanging racks: $50-$60
- Over-the-door: $20-$25
Q: "Are there any specific brands or models of pot and pan organizers that are highly recommended?"
A: Not really.
There are definitely some big brands in this space with their organizers; Brands such as JCPenny’s ‘Home Expressions, Rubbermaid, etc.
However, this is an area of products where TONS of off-brands exist and their quality can be just as good (or, better). Plus, they’ll come with a cheaper price tag.
Conclusion & Final Thoughts (TL;DR)
Take a bow… because you’re now a pot and pan organizer expert!
So, to summarize, whether you opt for a wall-mounted rack, pull-out cabinet organizer, hanging pot and pan organizer, or over-the-door organizer, any of these options will help you create a more efficient kitchen space.
They all have their pros and cons, but ultimately with the right pot and pan organizer, you can ensure that your cookware is easily accessible, organized, and tidy.
And, with the help of this article, you’ll be able to find the best pot and pan organizer that fits YOUR kitchen.
Which type of organizer do you feel is the overall winner here?
Is there any specific one you recommend personally?
Let me know your thoughts down below!
Or feel free to reach out if you’ve got other questions or comments.
Otherwise, I’ll see you next time.
Take care!