When it comes to organizing your kitchen, one of the biggest challenges can be finding the best way to store heavy crockery. Not only do you want to keep your dishes and cookware easily accessible, but you also want to ensure they're stored safely to avoid any damage.
Although cast iron is not technically crockery, because it isn’t made from clay, I am including cast iron in this post. Cast iron cookware is heavy - heavier than crockery, thus presenting the challenge of storage that supports its weight. Particularly I will discuss enameled cast iron in this post, as it does have a kiln fired ceramic coating and that coating, while durable, can be damaged.
In this blog post, we'll explore the different types of heavy crockery and provide tips on the best places to store them, along with the types of organizers that work best to store these safely to prevent breakage or chipping.
First let’s look at some types of heavy crockery just so we are all familiar with the different varieties.
Types of Heavy Crockery
Heavy crockery can include a variety of items, each with its own storage challenges. Here are some common types.
Earthenware
Earthenware is known for its porous nature and rustic appearance. It is heavier than some other types of crockery and requires careful handling to prevent cracking. It's often used for specialized baking dishes like Moroccan Tagines. The porous terra cotta produces very moist meats, stews and flaky crusts on breads.
Stoneware
Known for its durability and rustic charm, stoneware is often used for plates, bowls, and mugs. Its weight can make it more difficult to store safely.
Ceramic Dishes
These are popular for their beautiful glazes and patterns, but they can be quite heavy, especially when stacked. While it is common and tempting to stack them, they can scratch, chip or crack, so it is better to put protective felt between them or set the pieces on separate shelves, trays, or bins. Plates can be racked in an organizer.
Porcelain Serving Pieces
Porcelain is used for bakeware, but it is also beautiful, so many porcelain dishes go directly from oven to table.Porcelain, like other crockery though can be heavy and require careful storage to prevent chips and cracks.
Enameled Cast Iron
This type of cookware combines the heat retention of cast iron with a protective enamel coating. While it is extremely durable, its weight makes it challenging to store. It is often used for Dutch ovens and other cookware pieces.The enamel is also prone to scratching and chipping, so careful handling is required.
How to Store Heavy Crockery
All crockery can be scratched, chipped, and broken, even enameled cast iron. The following tips will help you prevent damage to your crockery.
Plates
- Store plates on racks that set them vertically and prevent them touching each other.
- If you have a china cabinet, hutch, or glass kitchen cupboards you can set plates up on plate stands.
- If you must stack plates place felt protectors between them.
Bowls & Cups
Few people have enough room to line each one up horizontally on a long shelf. Though beautiful, this is impractical. Instead, stack them with felt protectors between.
Bakeware & Serveware
These will range in size from very small ramekins to large.
Ramekins can be set individually in a shallow kitchen drawer or stacked in a bin on a shelf. Place felt protectors between them.
For medium and large pieces place felt protectors between them to stack them.
It is best to set each on a shelf with nothing on it. Place the height of adjustable shelves close together or use shelf risers. The Dutch ovens and tagines will need more height on the shelves.
Best Places to Store Heavy Crockery
Finding the right place to store your heavy crockery involves balancing accessibility with safety. Here are some recommended storage solutions:
Permanent Shelves or Pull-Outs
Heavy items need to be on strong, solid wood or metal shelves that are designed for weight. Heavy duty pull-out shelves are a great choice because they are designed for the weight and the shelves glide forward smoothly on rails.
This makes it easier to retrieve and replace the crockery. The pull-outs even let you make use of deep cabinets for crockery by giving you easy access to items deep in the back.
Storage Units for Heavy Crockery
These heavy duty shelves (permanent or pull-out) can be in a variety of furnishing such as:
- Base Cabinets
- Pantry
- Storage Cabinet
- Heavy Metal Storage Rack
- Bookcase
Creative Ways to Store Heavy Crockery
I love the rustic look of my enameled cast iron dutch oven, skillets, and pans as decor. I store them on the brick hearth and the heavy built-in bookshelves framing my kitchen fireplace.
My Dream Organizer for Crockery
I do have a plan for a crockery pantry - a sturdy, freestanding cabinet with pantry pull-out shelves from bottom to top. The pull-outs glide on a heavy duty rail so the heavy items are more easily removed and returned.
Using Organizers
To maximize space and ensure the safety of your crockery, consider investing in some kitchen organizers.
Plate Racks
Plate racks are ideal for storing dishes vertically, which can save space and reduce the risk of chipping. Look for adjustable racks that can accommodate different sizes of plates.
Drawer Dividers
Dividers can help keep small items like ramekins in place in a drawer. Look for dividers that are adjustable and made from durable materials, or use bins in the drawer. Also use no slip grip liner to prevent things from moving or shifting.
Choose Heavy Storage Solutions for Heavy Crockery
Storing heavy crockery can be a daunting task, but with the right strategies and tools, you can create a kitchen that's both functional and stylish.
Use your imagination and decorate with your crockery. Let it grace your fireplace, your kitchen counters, or hold flowers when you aren’t using it for cooking.
Use what you have now by storing heavy pieces on the bottom of base cabinets. Use those heavy utility cabinets in the garage. Clean them up and paint them.
With the right equipment you can have lots of heavy crockery and it will be pure pleasure.
Happy organizing!
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