MAXIMIZING YOUR PANTRY SPACE

[FuquaySaver Profile]

Please post any ideas or suggestions on how you have chosen to organize your stockpile. We will all benefit from any great organizational ideas, date rotations to lessen waste or inventory lists for replacement of low inventory on pantry and/or freezer items.

[frugal tarheel Profile]

My system is still evolving but I will offer a few tips.
I have two pantries, so to speak. My main closet-style pantry and my so-called run-off pantry, which is a big two-door space underneath my cook top.

I put my newer purchases in my run-off pantry and then rotate them into the main pantry as it empties. That way, I don't have to worry so much about dates. And I don't have to worry about my kids or husband grabbing the first item they see rather than checking the date.

In the main pantry, I try to keep like products on the same shelves. For instance, I keep my sugars, flours, cake mixes, etc. all on one shelf.

I use the floor for my sodas.

Upstairs, I use a hall closet for my toiletries stash. I try to stack them with newer items in the back, probably like everyone else, with mixed results.
Some time this month, in my January organizing rampage, I will probably create a secondary stash location for my newer items to roate in. I hate to be always nagging/reminding my family about checking dates so this method seems to work.
HTH.
Happy organizing.

[eyesave Profile]

im just getting started, so i dont have many suggestions except for one..
when you open a new spice, don't do what i did and just write the "open date" on the lid.. silly me.. when i cook from scratch, i often open *several* jars of spices.. and i mix the lids up. write the date on the lid AND the jar (or put the spice name on the lid).

cheers!

[dan Profile]

I'd be curious to see some pictures of these massive stockpiles of groceries! I've seen pictures on other sites that looked like a grocery store inside their home!

[FuquaySaver Profile]

So funny you say that, I was thinking the same thing! Would love to see inside the pantry of all these smart shoppers. I am pretty satisified with how I have mine set up for now but am always looking for the absolute best way. I have my main pantry with items used most on day to day basis and one of most things like oil and cooking spray, etc. I have the extras in another closet. I have like items in plastic containers stacked on one another and labeled so it is easy to replenish what we use in the "main" pantry. I keep my eye on those containers and when things in there are getting low, know to restock at triples or when the deals are too good to pass up. It was driving me nuts to have the pantry so over packed that I could not tell what I had and what I needed. Even more than that was how the kids would open multiple items of the same thing. My goal is to save not waste and I was not thrilled with having to discard items because too many were open and going stale before being eaten. Kinda defeats the purpose...
I just always learn so much from others and their methods and am excited to hear of others organizational styles and tips. I have no problem being a copycat to a great new idea!

[susan k Profile]

both my coat closet and downstairs linen closet are deeper than usual so I bought 36x36 shelves and pushed them all the way to the back - the bathroom shelf holds cleaning and toiletries, the coat closet shelf holds non-perishables like condiments, salad dressings, pickles, etc.

Before I started couponing we also re-worked our kitchen pantry. It once had deep shelves that went all the way back and we 'lost' stuff in there constantly, let alone that the top shelf was virtually unusable because of where it was in location to the top of the door frame. We tore all the old shelves out and replaced them with 'L' shaped shelving on two sides...surprisingly enough, it seems like it would be less space, but because we opened up access to the top we were able to add in two extra shelves - enough space to get all of our large appliances off of our counter tops too! and we don't lose stuff anymore (well....not as often at least! )

[chelseav Profile]

I've been looking into can racks, soon I hope, I'll be able to get about one every two months, I want to get a total of 6 I think. It can hold up to 40 cans, I love it, because I can also put them into our cabinets, as I have noticed the canned goods is what is the trickiest for me to maximize my space. The ones I've been looking at are at this link here:

http://www.yourfoodstorage.com/product/New-12577401

HTH

[mypally Profile]

We have an "ok" sized pantry. We bought a door rack from Lowe's hardware that is mounted inside the pantry door. It is probably 7-8 shelves, and holds all of my soups, spaghetti sauces, and most of my condiments, can milks, etc. It was around $35, and worth every penny.

As far as taking pictures of the pantries goes....I am a regular couponer, and often stockpile. I'm blessed in a very different way though. My parents live in a small town 3 hours away, and both have very little income. When I triple coupon, I come home, unload everything, and then pack it back up in bags labeled to go to them. It's a wonderful way to give back to the ones I love. They often get brand name items they couldn't afford otherwise. : )
It's the best part of couponing for me.