Lessons Learned from Organizing Pots and Pans

Method used and reminders of lessons learned when organizing my pots and pans.

Several months ago, I decided that 2023 would be the year I tackle the pots and pans organization in our kitchen. Many of our smaller frying pans and pots are hanging from a pot rack. Our larger pots and roasting pans, an enameled cast iron Dutch oven, and other seemingly random kitchen items are located in an incredibly awkward lower corner kitchen cabinet. Being in a house built in the 1930s, the kitchen is charming, but is not outfitted with all the modern cabinetry that tends to make better use of these awkward corner spaces. I had been blissfully ignoring the lack of organization—even professional organizers have trouble spots! However, once the frustration when prepping to cook was too much, I decided it was time to “swallow the frog” and get this task done.

How did I approach this small organizing challenge? –The Honeybee & Chickadee way, of course!

Honeybee & Chickadee's Stages of Organizing

Evaluate

Beginning with the end in mind is incredibly important to me as I tackle any project, large or small. So, I used the Honeybee & Chickadee Begin with the End in Mind workbook to really think about how I wanted these areas of my kitchen to function. I also quickly looked at Pinterest and The Container Store’s website for some inspiration, but I cleverly set a timer so I didn’t get stuck in a time-suck.

I envisioned all the pots and pans fitting and easily accessible. I envisioned a space without extra kitchen items I no longer used. I envisioned “a place for everything, and everything in its place.” And, with this vision in my head, I was excited to get this done. I was looking forward to having an easier time cooking in my kitchen. Completing the Begin with the End in Mind workbook is my go-to for evaluating a disorganized space (you can use it too--get your copy on the homepage, about halfway down). Once I have a clear idea of what is working and what is NOT working, and a loose idea of what needed to be done, I moved on to decluttering.

Declutter 

I rolled up my sleeves and emptied the cabinet. I used my dining room table as a temporary home for the items I removed, along with the trash can for any trash, and a bin for any items I could donate. I removed item after item until the cabinet was completely empty. The pot and pan cabinet is connected to the adjacent cabinet,  whereI had been storing plastic wrap, wax paper, parchment paper, aluminum foil, and extra plastic bags. I emptied that adjoining cabinet as well. Once I had everything out, I realized I had so many extra rolls: one extra plastic wrap, one extra aluminum foil, and one extra parchment paper. We also had some older pots and pans and other items that could be donated.

I moved the lesser-used rolls of plastic wrap, aluminum foil, and parchment paper to the pantry. There was very little actual trash. And, upon reviewing all our pots and pans and related cooking items, I decided to donate what was left of a pot and pan set we had received at our wedding. While the fry pans wore out long ago and were replaced, the pots and lids are in wonderful shape and can be donated—someone will love them! Even the replacement fry pans were very worn, so were thrown away. A bento box I found in a neighboring cabinet when I was making room for a cake pan was offered to and accepted by a friend. I also moved a lemonade pitcher to a cabinet with other drink-related items and a few flower vases out of the kitchen.

Sort

Looking at all the pots, pans, and dishes I use to cook and roast food laid out on my table, I started to make sense of the chaos. By seeing all the items at once, I could more easily pick out what is used the most often and what is not used as frequently. Using this information, I sorted items into groups on my kitchen table: non-stick set, stainless-steel set, large serving platters, casserole dishes, roasting pan, enameled cast iron Dutch oven, and cast iron frying pan.

Organize

Left with only the items we routinely use, I began planning the particulars of how everything would fit back into the cabinet and onto the pot rack. While planning is important, sometimes, you just have to play with it as you organize.As I started to place items, I realized the shelf’s depth was not ideal. So, to allow for additional storage but also versatility, I was able to remove part of the shelf. This effectively shortened the depth of the shelf from 17.5” deep to only 12” deep. I reused the shelf liner and proceeded with organizing all these kitchen necessities.

Here is a run-down of what I did to organize what I use and want to keep:

·     The pans and small pots we use the most, the nonstick set, would remain on the pot rack, with the lids slid onto the handles rather than placed in a lid rack in the cabinet.

·     The stainless-steel set of pots and pans, which we use, but less frequently, is neatly stacked in pairs using their lids at the back of the cabinet. With the shallower shelf above them, they are still easy to get to.

·      I repurposed the now-available lid rack to hold two very large platters we use whenever we host Thanksgiving, along with the cast iron griddle. For years, this cast iron griddle had been living on our stove top because there wasn’t really any other place for it.

·      I placed the casserole dishes and our classic black speckled roasting pan back on the now-not-so-deep shelf.

·      I moved the massive canning pot from the top of fridge to the far right of cabinet, almost into the back corner, since we only use this once a year.

·      I added the larger pots that wouldn’t fit on the pot rack—the stainless steel stock pot and non-stick stockpot—both with their lids, between the canning pot and the cabinet door so they would be easy to access.

·      Finally, I added the enameled cast iron Dutch oven and cast iron frying pan just inside the cabinet door, where they will be easy to access and lift out, since they’re quite heavy.

Optimize 

I mounted the already-owned Rubbermaid kitchen wrap holder to the inside of the door and placed my more-used boxes of plastic wrap, aluminum foil, parchment paper, and wax paper. To house plastic bags, I purchased the smallest plastic bag holder I could find, and mounted that on the inside of the adjoining very narrow cabinet door.

Over the next several months, I’ll see if any adjustments need to be made. In the meantime, I love this new arrangement, and so does my husband! It is functional for us and the way we cook and live our lives.

Reminders of Lessons Learned

As I completed this project, I gained much more than a freshly organized space in my kitchen--I was reminded of some important lessons I've learned over the years concerning organizing.

1. Be prepared to play a bit when organizing

When organizing, it’s important to have an idea of how you’d like the space to function, but some of the organizing can’t really happen until the other steps are done. For example, I had the idea to move the massive canning pot into the back of this cabinet early in this project, but initially it didn’t fit because of the depth of the shelf. Later, once the depth of the shelf was minimized, it fit! Be prepared to play a bit when organizing.

2. Follow a method and plan

While I ended up buying one item for this organizing project, purchasing organizers, racks, and bins doesn’t always solve the problem. Many years ago, overwhelmed with clutter, I would start with buying bins and baskets to organize all that clutter, hoping that would solve the problem. Over the years, I learned that approach simply moves and rearranges the clutter while not really solving the problem. So now, I begin with the end in mind, make sure I declutter early in the organizing process, and do not buy bins and baskets until I have a better idea of what I need. Follow a method and plan for better results!

3. Start with what you already own

In an effort to consume less and save money, I’ve learned to start with items I already own, see if you I can make them work. If those items don’t work, or I need additional items, then I measure properly and buy something that will actually fit. Using what you already own can be a great way to reuse, repurpose, and save money and time.

Have a method and a plan when you organize

Surely there is a spot in your home or office that you'd like to organize. Do you have a method and plan? Are you prepared to play a bit as you're organizing? And, of course, start with what you already own. To help you get started, Honeybee & Chickadee's Begin with the End in Mind workbook is a perfect way to start, so request it from the homepage. However, if you're struggling at all, please reach out and see how Honeybee & Chickadee can help you with your organizing project and on your organizing journey!