FAQ/Hanging Tips from HSM Pot Racks

Hanging Pot Racks

The image shows a HD30 pot rack hung using our 12 inch stainless steel rack hanger rods. We recommend using the 12 inch hanger rods when hanging this rack over a counter top in a kitchen with a 9 foot ceiling. Notice that the hanger rods have open ends and do not require quick links to attach to your rack or to your ceiling bolts. Rack hanger rods come in various lengths.

• What length rack do I need? I love your HD Hooded Kitchen Series and I want to hang one of them over an island.
  
  
  • This is a hard one. Let me start by saying that very few people ask to exchange a rack because it is to large but rather to exchange one because it is to small, so keep this in mind. I definitely would not want a rack to extend out past the ends of my island and would probably want it recessed in from the ends at least 1 to 1 1/2 feet if I intended to work at the ends of the island. I think balance would be important so you could cut out a piece of cardboard about 2 feet wide and cut to length. Then let someone hold it over the island while you stand back and look. The HD hooded series racks come in 30, 40 and 48 inch lengths and the commercial racks come in lengths up to 72 inches.
  • If you want to hang a rack over something small like a chopping block, check out the GA15 and GA18RT galley racks.



• Do I need to lower the rack? I have a 8 foot ceiling and I want to hang a rack over a counter top.
  
  
  • Normally you would not but we recommend that you take some measurements. The HD Hooded Series are 9 1/2 inches high with 4 1/2 inch pot hooks for a total drop of about 13 1/2 inches. If you have open end ceiling hooks you should not need anything else. If you have closed end ceiling hooks you would need some quick links (not all racks ship with quick links). The heights of all racks are given in the web site but do not forget to add the drop of the pot hooks ( 4 1/4 inches ) to get total drop.
  • The READY-TO-HANG racks we sell come with enough 1/8 or 3/32 chain to give you a normal drop from a 8 foot ceiling over a counter top or island.
  • When hanging a Com 43, 58 or 72 commercial rack from a 8 foot ceiling over a counter top or island, you might want to drop it about 3 1/2 inches using our 3 1/2 inch S-Hook. You will need 4 S-Hooks.
  • If you are around 5' 4", you might want to lower a rack like the HD30 to be hung from a 8 foot ceiling using our 3 1/2 inch S-Hooks and if you are around 5' 2, you might want to use the 5 1/2 inch S-Hooks.
  
  
  
• What finish do you use on your stainless steel pot racks?
  
  
  • As stated in the web site, all stainless steel racks come with a satin pewter-like finish. I have a stainless steel stove and sink with a satin finish in my own kitchen along with an old pine cupboard and an open brick hearth. The highly polished stainless finishes, we tried, did not blend well in the setting and seemed to distract from a copper pot and pan display and a stainless pot and pan display. I kept changing the finish until it all came together. The finish we use also looks good with a black pot and pan display. We get very few request for a highly polished finish and at this time do not intend to offer one.
  • When I speak of the finish on the stainless steel racks I do not mean as in painting but as in grinding and polishing. There is nothing to wear off as with painted metals.
  
  
  



• Why do you make your pot hooks and rack hanger rods out of stainless steel?
  
  
  • To give you the same quality and durability you get with your rack .
    
    
• How do I install ceiling hooks?
  
  
  • I can not give advice on how to install ceiling hooks. I do not know how anyone could without seeing your kitchen. If you are unsure about how to install your own ceiling hooks, I suggest you call a professional builder.




Open End Rack Hanger Rods



Unlike S hooks which hang at a slant, our hanger rods have compound curves and hang straight. These rods were designed to be used with the HD30, HD40, HD48, GA18RT, GA27RT and all commercial racks with a COM prefix.

If you have ceilings 9 feet or over you may want to consider our rack hanger rods. Quick links are not necessary to fasten hanger rods to your rack or your ceiling.

Hanger rod sizes...

8 1/2" - 12" - 15 1/2" - 20" - 24" - 27 1/2 and 30" drop.

See recommended lengths below.



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1/4" Solid Stainless Steel Hanger Rods:



• For a drop of less than 8 1/2", look at our 3 1/2" and 5 1/2 " S-Hooks.



• For a drop of over 30", you could use a combination of lengths.


Recommended hanger rod lengths for people from 5' 4" to 5' 10" tall. If you are under 5' 3", you might want to move up one length and if you are over 6', you might want to move down one length. It would not hurt to take some measurements.


• For the HD30, HD40, HD48, GA18RT and GA27RT
  
  
  • 9 foot ceiling -- 12"
  
  
  
  • 10 foot ceiling - 24"
  
  
  
  • NOTE: You will need 3 hangers for the HD48 and 2 for all the rest above.



• For the Commercial Series: (with a COM prefix)
  
  
  • 9 foot ceiling -- 15 1/2"
  
  
  
  • 10 foot ceiling - 27 1/2"
  
  
  
  • NOTE: You will need 4 hangers for all commercial racks above.




Solid Stainless Steel Pot Rack Hooks



Our hooks are 4 1/2 inches long and made from solid stainless steel. We feel that if a customer wants the durability of a stainless steel pot rack, they should not have to settle for plated or painted hooks.

Our pot hooks were designed and are made by us. Notice that the top bend is tighter than the bottom bend (pot end). This lets you get the pot off easier and the hook will not lift off rack. Also notice that we take the time to punch holes in the bands to accept hooks. This helps keep the hooks off the surface of the bands and reduces scratching of the metal.

The 4 1/2 inch pot hooks help eliminate the cluttered look some pot racks have by getting your pots away from your rack. We tried many different lengths before settling on the 4 1/2 inch hook and we thing they will make your rack and pot display more attractive.