By Brittany Rowland

When it comes to pot racks, be they ceiling-mounted or wall-mounted, you want sturdiness, durability, and enough space to hold lots of pots, pans, and kitchen utensils. Some of the main factors we considered while compiling our top 10 list included:

1. Ease of assembly and installation
2. Style and attractiveness of design
3. Sturdiness of construction and materials
4. Number of hooks
5. Grid for extra storage space
6. Whether it needs to be mounted in wall studs or ceiling josts
7. Quality of screws, chains, and anchors included
8. Adjustable height

Whichever style you choose, a pot rack is a convenient feature for any kitchen, clearing the clutter from your cabinets and counters and organizing pots and pans in an accessible manner.

Pot Racks Buying Guide

The Benefits of the Pot Rack

Whether you’re hoping to organize your kitchen, clearing out the clutter from your cabinets, or you’re a fanatic cook, then you should consider a pot rack. Pot racks have long been a convenient kitchen accessory that gives you more space in your work area and yet keeps your cooking tools within easy reach.

Convenient access

Do you wish all your pots, pans, and utensils were in plain view and easy fingertip reach? It’s a hassle having to dig through drawers for that one ladle or pull out all your stacked pots to find the medium sized one you need. A pot rack provides quick and simple organization. Because you can see all of your tools, it’s easy to grab the one you need right away.

Saving space

We’ve all experienced the joy of opening up the cabinet and having a bunch of haphazardly stacked pots tumble out on the floor. Your kids have probably discovered the fun game of pulling them out, too. If you have limited cabinet space, then a pot rack can be a lifesaver. It also helps clear the counter and drawers of your most-used utensils. You’ll appreciate having a clean, tidy workspace without sacrificing easy access to your favorite tools.

Visual appeal and design

Because they’re displayed so prominently in the kitchen, pot racks come in a wide variety of styles, materials, and designs. An attractive pot rack can be as elegant as it is functional, in such materials as wrought iron, wood, distressed steel, nickel, or pewter. An added benefit: If you’re a devoted chef and proud of your collection of fancy cookware, then you’ll love showing them off to visitors. A pot rack can add class, style, and hominess to any kitchen.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Featured Pot Racks Articles

Figuring Out the Best Height for a Pot Rack

A hanging pot rack ideally keeps pots and pans within easy reach above your head. However, you’ll need to consider the height of your ceiling and your own height to determine the best height for your pot rack. If it’s short or you hang it too high, you won’t be able to reach… [more]

Should I Get a Hanging, Wall-Mounted, or Freestanding Pot Rack?

Depending on your kitchen design and personal preferences, you may decide to buy a either a hanging, wall-mounted, or freestanding pot rack. Each variety has its special qualities and attractions, although they all serve basically the same purpose: organizing and … [more]

What to Look For in Stainless Steel Cookware

Stainless steel provides the most versatile functions in a cookware set. However, you need to know what to look for when you buy a stainless steel set, which is typically more expensive than other materials. Even Heating: While stainless steel has a gleaming … [more]

Related Top 10 Lists

Top 10 Cookware Sets

Cookware pieces come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials. Some of the most common and popular materials for pots and pans are stainless steel and hard anodized aluminum with a non-stick surface. We looked at a number of cookware sets and selected our top 10 based on the following … [more]

A hanging pot rack ideally keeps pots and pans within easy reach above your head. However, you’ll need to consider the height of your ceiling and your own height to determine the best height for your pot rack. If it’s short or you hang it too high, you won’t be able to reach stuff without straining, and if it’s too low, the pots could get in the way of your cooking (or graze your head).

Fortunately, there are a few quick steps you can take to figure out the right height for your pot rack.

• Measure the height of your ceiling.
• Measure yourself, plus an additional 6 or 10 inches depending on how long your arm is when you extend it over your head. You need only reach the bottom of the pans, not the hooks, when you reach overhead.
• Subtract your height (including the outstretched arm) from the overall ceiling height to get an idea of how tall the pot rack should be. Factor in the length of the pots and pans into that equation too.

Some racks come specifically designed to fit a standard 9-foot ceiling. If your ceiling is a different height, then consider a pot rack with chains, which are easily adjustable. Chains are very forgiving if your measurements are slightly off. You can simply move the chain up or down a couple links.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Related Top 10 Lists

Top 10 Pot Racks

When it comes to pot racks, be they ceiling-mounted or wall-mounted, you want sturdiness, durability, and enough space to hold lots of pots, pans, and kitchen utensils. Some of the main factors we considered while compiling our top 10 list included:1. Ease of assembly and installation…. [more]

Hanging pot racks

As you might guess from the name, hanging pot racks are suspended from the ceiling, typically over a kitchen island or near the range. Hanging pot racks usually must be secured to a beam or joist in the ceiling in order to stay in place. The grid is held up by chains, and hooks attached to the grid support the cookware and utensils.

You can find hanging racks in circular, rectangular, and oval shapes.

• Rectangular racks usually match the shape of the islands they hang over. They’re also easy to fit into corners if that’s where you wish to suspend them.
• Circular racks are nice because the pots and pans hang evenly all around; one side doesn’t look unbalanced compared to the other.
• Oval racks are a nice blended version of the rectangular and circular types. They still have a nice curve but they’re also very wide, holding more pots and pans.

Hanging pot racks are sometimes heavy, depending on the material. Unless you have a helping hand, it could be difficult to assemble the rack and install it in a ceiling beam.

Wall-mounted pot racks

If you have limited space in your kitchen, you may be happier with a wall-mounted pot rack, which screws into the wall. Some heavy rack models require you to locate a wall stud; others come with toggle anchors that attach securely to drywall. Either way, wall-mounted racks typically keep pots and pans flush to the wall. You can find some models that extend from the wall, so the cookware hangs from a grid like it does from the hanging variety.

Wall-mounted pot racks are especially advantageous if you want to keep your pot collection within easy reach above the range. Some double as bookshelves for convenient decoration.

Freestanding pot racks

This variety of pot rack almost resembles a decorative piece of furniture, usually with layers of shelves for storing cookware, books, and other items. You may have an empty corner where a freestanding unit would look nice and complement the décor of the kitchen. Often it’s easier to organize deep stock pots in a cookware stand than on a hanging or wall-mounted rack.

More Pot Racks Articles

What to Look For in Stainless Steel Cookware

Stainless steel provides the most versatile functions in a cookware set. However, you need to know what to look for when you buy a stainless steel set, which is typically more expensive than other materials. Even Heating: While stainless steel has a gleaming … [more]

Related Top 10 Lists

Top 10 Pot Racks

When it comes to pot racks, be they ceiling-mounted or wall-mounted, you want sturdiness, durability, and enough space to hold lots of pots, pans, and kitchen utensils. Some of the main factors we considered while compiling our top 10 list included: 1. Ease of … [more]

Top 10 Cookware Sets

Cookware pieces come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials. Some of the most common and popular materials for pots and pans are stainless steel and hard anodized aluminum with a non-stick surface. We looked at a number of cookware sets and selected our top 10 based on the following … [more]

By Brittany Rowland

For the smaller kitchen, the Cooks Standard NC-00269 is ideal for keeping cookware out of the way until it’s needed. A single wooden bar with four pan hooks and two swivel hooks, this pot rack has an appealingly simple design that will add some elegance to any kitchen. The sturdy aluminum bracket is very sturdy when attached to a ceiling stud. We liked that the pot rack has two different types of hooks; however, the swivel one turns very smoothly, so keep that in mind when you’re reaching up to take down or put up a pan.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

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By Brittany Rowland

This Old Dutch rectangular pot rack has an elegant style and patterns of antique pewter. Its delicate look belies its sturdiness and durability. Once it’s installed in the ceiling’s beams or joists, it holds a great weight and comes equipped with 16 pot hooks. These hooks stay securely in place even when you pull off pots and pans. We were pleased with how wide and spacious the rack is, capable of holding even more items atop its grid. Best of all, it’s available for as low as $71 at some stores. You’ll be truly pleased with the sophisticated, classic look of this rectangular pot rack.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

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By Brittany Rowland

A satin nickel finish gives this Old Dutch dome pot rack a sophisticated, shiny look. Its 16 pot hooks are more than enough to get your kitchen in tidy order, holding various pots, pans, and utensils. The matching grid is also available for additional storage. The circular rack, measuring 20 inches in diameter, quite simply looks great and adds style to the kitchen. You won’t have to worry about it holding up; its heavy-gauge steel construction is built to last. While this rack is a bit pricey at $219.95, it’s perfectly suited to large kitchens and will do wonders to keeping your pans at arm’s reach.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

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By Brittany Rowland

A sturdy wall-mounted pot rack in graphite, this Old Dutch model comes with a grid and 12 pot hooks. It’s a heavy rack, so you’ll need to attach it to wall studs for the best stability. Once it’s installed, you’ll love the classic, simple look; the plated metal finish will hold up against years of use. We appreciated its capacious space for lots of pots and pans either hanging from the hooks or set atop the shelf. You won’t be disappointed with the strong, quality construction and with how nice it looks with its simple design. At $86, it’s a solid investment and not terribly expensive.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

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By Brittany Rowland

A 2-shelf pot rack with a red powder finish, this Range Kleen wall-mounted rack is perfectly suited to small kitchens. It maximizes its limited space by providing 2 shelves with grids so you can store pot lids and other items up top as well as hanging from the hooks. While the rack is fairly lightweight at 9 pounds, it can be difficult to hang up if you’re working alone, and the included screws and anchors may not be the best quality. However, the rack itself is stylish and durable; we liked the snazzy red color. For just $39.98, this Range Kleen pot rack is a great value.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

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By Brittany Rowland

A steel wall-mounted pot rack that doubles as a sturdy bookshelf, this Enclume model can be installed anywhere with its toggle anchors—you don’t have to find wall studs. Once it’s installed, you can see how neatly it keeps pots, pans, and utensils hanging within easy reach and out of your cabinets. You can even store your cookbooks up top. The steel construction is lightweight at 9 pounds but remarkably durable, able to hold at least 100 pounds. If you don’t care for the hammered steel powder finish, you can easily paint the rack another color. While this rack is best suited for smaller kitchens, it’s still not a bad deal at $71.60.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

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By Brittany Rowland

An affordable and attractive oval pot rack from Kinetic Classicor, this wrought-iron model comes with twelve hooks and can hold up to forty pounds of pots and pans. Secure it with the four ceiling hooks to the ceiling joists for extra security, and you will be impressed with the sturdiness and balance of this pot rack. The hooks go around the oval edge or in the center grid, so you can space your pots and pans out evenly. For a lightweight, inexpensive ($39.42) pot rack, the Kinetic Classicor 12021 is functional and classy looking.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

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By Brittany Rowland

For the small kitchen, this Enclume Rack It Up utensil bar pot rack is a convenient solution to giving you more counter and cabinet space. The lightweight rack, only 3 pounds, holds a surprising 100 pounds of pots and utensils. Best of all, you can mount it wherever you like without worrying about finding wall studs; the rack comes with toggle anchors that fit securely in drywall. We were pleased with the compact, low-profile design that doesn’t leave pots sticking out far from the wall. If you don’t like the steel color, you can easily paint the rack to better fit your kitchen. While it doesn’t hold as many pans as bigger racks, for $24.99 you could even purchase two and fit your whole pan collection.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

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By Brittany Rowland

An attractive, sturdy oval pot rack in wrought-iron, this Innova Classicor model is remarkably low-priced at $37.69. It comes with the hanging hardware and 12 “S”-shaped hooks, which hold up to 40 pounds of weight. Installation is fairly simple; if your kitchen doesn’t have ceiling joists, then you may want to purchase some toggle anchors to secure the rack. Overall, for a relatively inexpensive pot rack, this Innova Classicor model has an appealing classic look and sturdy, durable construction. The oval design allows you to arrange the pans in a neat order.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

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By Brittany Rowland

For a classic, old-fashioned look in your kitchen, the Enclume oval pot rack is an excellent choice. Its sturdy steel is hammered into shape and given a distressed finish for the greatest visual appeal. The 12 pot hooks descending from the grid support even your biggest, bulkiest pots and pans. Assembling this pot rack is fairly simple but time-consuming; you must be sure to attach the rack to anchors in the solid wood beams or joists in the ceiling. You’ll be happy to free up your cabinet space and enjoy the rustic charm of this Enclume pot rack, which is available for $229.95 with a lifetime warranty.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

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