Spices are the spice of life, so to speak. So, if your spices are disorganized, what does that say about your life? There is not yet a feng shui of spices that I know of, but there certainly ought to be. Do not worry, though, there is hope for those of us who cannot find our cinnamon amongst our fennel and nutmeg!
What is this hope that we can cling to? Spice racks. Yes, it sounds like too simple of a solution, but spice racks really make a big difference for anyone who owns more than three or four spices. There are multiple types of spice racks for you to choose from. Need help deciding which is best for you? Follow this simple guide on spice racks:
Carousel Spice Racks (Revolving Spice Racks)
A carousel spice rack is perfect for holding your favorite and most often used spices. You can just leave your carousel spice rack out by your stove or on your table, or take it down from your cabinet whenever you are cooking.
This type of spice rack can come with space for only a few spices, or you can even find ones that hold up to 16 or even 48 bottles, depending on the style and size. Of course, if you have one of the larger revolving spice racks, you are likely going to want to leave it up in your cabinet. Just spin it and pick out the spices that you need, when you need them. You do not have to worry about any shorter spices hiding behind larger ones!
Magnetic Spice Racks
Magnetic spice racks are a fun and easy way to store 9-12 different spices. Of course, part of the beauty of one of these racks is the beauty! You will definitely want to display such a lovely rack.
Each spice canister has a magnet on the back that attaches to a magnetic board. One possible problem (or godsend, depending on how you look at it) is that you will have to empty your spices into the ready-provided canisters. This actually works out nicely if you happen to buy your spices in bulk.
You can find a magnetic spice rack with a window so that you can see exactly which spice is in each canister. But if you are not too thoroughly acquainted with the looks of your spices, you may find it necessary to label them, as well.
Spice Drawer Organizer
Not everyone has to keep their spices in their cabinet! Indeed, a spice organizer is an excellent choice for anyone who would prefer to reach down, rather than up, for the perfect spice. When you keep your spices in your drawer, it is often much easier to see them and to be able to read the labels than when you keep them in an upper cabinet. A spice drawer rack will generally have different levels that will tilt your spices so that you can read the labels more easily.
Basic Spice Rack
Basic wood or metal spice racks are an excellent way to help you organize your spices as well as to save space. It is best to get a spice rack in which all of your spices must remain single file - so that no spices can get lost behind other ones.
To Alphabetize or Not to Alphabetize Your Spice Rack
You will be amazed how much easier it will be to find the right spice when you need it once you have a spice rack. Of course, even when you have a rack to organize your spices, they can still be hard to find. Sometimes you can be staring directly at the spice that you want, and yet still somehow not see it. The simple solution is to alphabetize your spices.
Of course, such a system is often more of a pain than it is worth. It is hard to keep your spices in alphabetical order, especially when you add new spices into the mix. Instead, I say that the best method is to keep the spices that you use the most within easy reach (at the front of the spice rack, etc.), and just take that extra time to search for those “other” spices when you need them!
Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, fashion, and home decor. Her background includes teaching and gardening. For more of her articles on spice racks, please visit Designer Spice Racks.
