Spice Organization

[~Jenna~]

Ugh...I've had it up to *here* with my random spice bottles. Do you store your spices in the canisters they come in? I've been toying with the idea of a magnetic spice rack, but I'm not sure I'd want to store my spices elsewhere (you know, the overflow). Any input would help!

[**Tinkerbell**]

Hi Jenna!
I have a magnetic spice rack. Um, maybe I'll take a couple of quick pics to post so you can better see what I'm talking about.
I'll be right back!
*Tink

[**Tinkerbell**]

Okay, I loved the idea of the magnetic spice rack. Until it was permanently mounted on my wall. Out of the blue DH brought it home for a gift one day.
I was so excited to have it I didn't take time to really think out the logistics of it.
If I were a "sometime" cook, or cooking for a family that ate really bland food without much deviation from a few meals (my sister falls into both those categories), this would be a great product.

For someone that likes to cook &/or experiment with new cuisines it's really not worth the $120 it cost.

We mounted it next to the stove. But it turns out it just gets greasy & gross no matter what we do. If you wash the jars too many times the magnetic circle glued to the bottom of the jars begins to peel off. The jars are labeled with a written sticky on the bottom so you know what's in them.

The jar caps swivel to reveal a sprinkle opening or a small pour opening. Both take forever to measure from. You can take the lid off & scoop the spices out, but the lids are difficult to pull off & I quit that altogether after having a lid finally give way & I spilled an entire jar of curry on my countertop. I can still see a slight yellow stain.

Everyone who sees the spice rack loves it. It's a great concept, but it just doesn't work for me. I honestly never even use it except the rare occasion I run out of a spice & I run to this thing hoping that I have some on it.

The biggest problem for me is that a dozen spice options just isn't enough. I hate to sound like a negative Nancy about the product, as it may very well be the perfect space-saving idea for someone else. But this is my honest experience with it. We've had it for about 6 years now & some of the spices you'll see in it are probably that old. (But I promise, you won't see any curry. )

I hope this helps you better decide if it's something you would like having.
*Tink

Here are some photos:
The rack, mounted to the left of my stove:


The individual spice jar with openings:







You ready? This is my "overflow". I'd need about 20 of these racks to make this work!
There are four lazy susans & three 3-tiered shelving systems.

[~Jenna~]

Thank you Tink! That is exactly what I was afraid of. It seems really neat, but once I think about the logistics...well, you pretty much covered it!

[**Tinkerbell**]

Thanks, Jenna!
I'm so glad my experience was helpful to you!
*Tink

[dianegrapegrower]

I'll admit it - I'm a Penzey's addict. I need a 12-step program. The entire bottom shelf of one kitchen cabinet is dedicated to spices. But I had a bright idea (and a very handy hubby). Instead of storing the bottles in a jumble, standing up - why not store on end, like wine bottles. They take less space, and if I labeled the tops, I could easily identify them. DH built a "mini-wine rack" to fit my cupboard. Bulky common herbs are in jars in front, easily shifted to view the spices behind.



diane

editted to add: I keep back up supplies of most-used herbs and spices in the freezer.

[**Tinkerbell**]

Diane, that is awesome! Did he use pvc pipe? That would be a fun project to build for us... and it's simply genius! Thank you for sharing it with us.
It takes the magnetic idea & makes it work for more than just a dozen spices. How many bottles do you have spots for?

*Tink

[dianegrapegrower]

48 slots, a few of the bottom spaces are empty (I did admit to being addicted to spices) And yes, PVC sprinkler pipe. He built a fixture to hold everything at right angles while he was gluing, so they didn't slide out of alignment.

D

[**Tinkerbell**]

I estimated at least 26 from what we could see (I was showing DH), 48 would be awesome.
Great idea & thanks for sharing it with us!
*Tink

[Linorama]

Diane, I LOVE your spice rack - what an inventive husband you have!

I have a lot of spices too, and store them all in a wide, shallow drawer so they can be found easily. It works well for me.

But now that I see that PVC rack...

[threeovens]

My main spice rack is a shelf in my pantry:

I love this rack because it sits on the counter and "hugs" the wall (unfortunately I have not counters in my kitchen, but one day I will!):

I use the magnetic containers on the side of my refrigerator for my finishing sea salts. I also have some hooks for other stuff:


I am pretty sure I have more than 48 spices. I have a kitchen cart with adobo, cayenne, cinnamon and other stuff. I also have an extensive vinegar, hot pepper sauce, and mustard collection. I am insane.

[james9312]

Hi,

How about a "sliding spice rack", this mounts inside your cabinet and slides out so you have easy access.


Jim

[/http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170473703915&ssPageName=ADME:B:EF:US:1123][/url]

[**Tinkerbell**]

Hi, James!
I have a 5 or 6 level one in my camp trailer. It makes a small amount of space (width-wise) into a convenient way to store & access spices & other items (cause mine is also a bit wider than the one here on Ebay.)
Thanks for the link! (I fixed the url code to create the link for you. )

*Tink

Slide Out Spice Rack

[jc #1484322]

Not that I'm an Ikea salesperson, but Ikea does have some very clever ideas for storing spices. They make a line of small inexpensive bottles with sprinkle/scoop caps:

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80055767

The neat thing is they also make a grinder that screws onto the same bottle!

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40081278

Now if you combined these jars w/the PVC spice rack....

[MsSally]

I don't have any pictures, but I had DH put an extra shelf in both cabinets on either side of the stove. Then I took plastic baskets (flat kind) and labled A-C etc. I have all the bottles for that group in one basket that slips easily out of the cabinet.