Pots and pans…how many do you have? How many do you need?
Well, I need a lot of them. I cook almost everyday and I enjoy it. I enjoy it even more when I have the right tools.
In this cabinet (albeit small) I have:
– 8 Skillets
– 4 Small Pots
– 2 Stock Pots
– 2 Medium Pots
– 1 Steamer Pot
That’s a total of 17 pots and pans! Not including, 3 enamel dutch ovens (probably my favorite), that I store inside my oven. One of the enamel pots sits on the stove at all times, since I use it often. I also have cast iron pans which are my husband’s favorite, since they can go directly on the grill.
I am not a fan of purchasing full sets of pots and pans sold in a box, although it is a good way to figure out what you use most. The box is usually a better value, but I end up giving away the pots that I don’t use…this negates the whole “better” value concept. I prefer selecting quality pieces that I will use often and will last for many years.
This also means that I haven’t been able to buy all these pieces at once. I purchase maybe one piece a year or my husband will give me one for my birthday or mother’s day. I am one of those women that is REALLY excited to receive a stockpot as a gift. Truly, it’s what I like. Why should I ask for pearls when I really want something for the kitchen?
Not all of my cookware is expensive or that high of a quality. I have yet to splurge on really good non-stick, so I have pans that do the job but won’t last for many years. A good non-stick 12-14 inch pan is on my list though (honey, I know you don’t read all my posts, but I really hope you are reading this one!). I get points for subtlety.
Back to how I organize the pans. I get points for segues too.
I found a metal rack that could be used to store files or bakeware, and I placed it on its side. It fit perfectly snug inside my cabinet, so each skillet rests safely in separate slots.
Next to the skillets, I have smaller sauce pots since the skillets take up a lot of room. Behind the sauce pots, I have a large stockpot and a steamer pot.
Items that are rarely used are always towards the back. The most used items get the best real estate.
In the top shelf, I place medium-sized pots. I stack the ones that are alike. Towards the back, I keep larger, less used deep skillets and pots.
This is the largest cabinet in my kitchen and that’s why I chose it for this purpose. In some of the smaller corner cabinets, I keep specialty pots like pressure cookers, rice cookers and slow cookers. I label the shelf to remind me of the item behind the front pot, since it’s not visible.
The labeled shelf…
I do suggest that before organizing all your pots, you take them out of your cabinets and make sure they deserve the space that they are taking up. Obviously, I am not a minimalist when it comes to the kitchen, but I don’t keep things that I don’t use.
At this point, if I did get another non-stick skillet, I would have to get rid of a skillet. Otherwise, this cabinet would turn into stainless steel mess. It already does when I don’t put things back where they go. And by “I”, I totally mean my husband. Sorry Babe.
Do you enjoy cooking too? Do you also get excited when kitchen catalogs arrive in the email? Tell me that I’m not alone!
I like the idea of organized pots and labeled shelves but I know we’d never keep it up.
I just found your blog and love it. Can’t wait to read more! 🙂
http://www.erinbrans.com
Thank you Erin!
I love cooking and baking. I feel better now knowing that I am not alone when I get excited about meal planning or a new recipe/cookbook. Thank you so much for sharing