How to Build a Built-In Pot Rack

by DoItYourself Staff

what you'll need

3/4-Inch Copper Piping
Ruler (preferable a metal one)
Marker (not a permanent one)
Safety Gloves
Safety Glasses
Tubing Cutter
Drill
1/2 -Inch Drill Bit
5-Foot Length of Pipe (x3)
3/4 -Inch Push Fit Copper Tees (x17)
3/4 -Inch Push Fit Copper Elbows (x4)
3/4 -Inch Threaded Male Adaptors (x5)
3/4 -Inch Female Floor Flanges (to be attached to the pot rack on the wall)
1/2 -Inch Self Tapping Screws (used to secure the pot rack to the flanges)
No. 10 Screws and Wall Anchors

A pot rack is very useful since you can store commonly used pots in one place for easy access. There are various ways to make a pot rack and different types of materials to use. In this article we will use copper pipes. This way, you can transform simple plumbing materials into a kitchen apparatus. Copper pipes bring to mind a classical and Victorian theme. This project should not take a lot of time, but, in return, it will give you years of use.

Step 1: Cutting the Copper Pipes

Draw a diagram of the piping needed for the copper pot rack. Decide on the end size of your built-in pot rack, and include the measurement alongside the piping. Draw the connectors to show how the pipes are connected. Use ½ inch for the tees and ¾ inch for the elbows. Once you have done the diagram, you can start cutting the different sizes of copper pipes. Use the tubing cutter.

Step 2: Assembling the Rack

Spread the different pieces on a clean working area to start assembling them. Put the elbows and tees next to the copper pipes like in the diagram. Before connecting anything, put everything near each other to form the design. Once you connect them, you cannot pull them apart, so make sure that they are in the correct place. Make sure that all of the parts cut (or bought) are used. Push in them as far as they go.

Step 3: Installing the Mounting Flanges

Screw into each floor flange a threaded male adapter. Use the tube cutter to cut 5 pieces of copper piping (1½ inch each). Install each section of piping into a male adaptor. Use the driller to drill a small hole on each side of the adapter pipe (right through the pipe). Insert a self-tapping screw into each hole to lock each pair of pipes together.

Step 4: Installing the Copper Pot Rack On the Wall

Fix a flange onto each mounting tee that is facing the back part of the pot rack. Put each flange onto a wall anchor, and secure it using the drill or screwdriver and the No. 10 screws.

As you can see, it is not that difficult to build a built-in pot rack. It is also an innovative way to use copper plumbing material.