A fairly inexpensive can rotating system

**cheles2kids** · 02-25-2010, 04:54 PM

I thought this might interest a few of you here.

I like the idea that it's fairly inexpensive *and* comes in different sizes, depending on the sizes of the cans you have.

But just a note on these:
The shipping is a bit steep on these, *unless* you buy more than a few sets, which, I figured with most of us here, who stockpile, we would be buying multiples anyway.

http://www.thecanorganizer.com/purchase.html

**Palooka** · 02-25-2010, 05:26 PM

That's pretty neat, Cheles.

Glad to see you here again.

**Libby** · 02-25-2010, 05:48 PM

That does look neat but is it made of cardboard? How long do you think that will last?

**pinetree** · 02-25-2010, 06:09 PM

I'm going to see if Dh can make something out of wood, I dont think the cardboard would last very long. I dont think it would be too hard to make.

**NewLeaf** · 02-25-2010, 06:53 PM

I like those, I think they would last depending on where they were stored. I have cardboard boxes in my damp basement that have held up for years. Thanks for the link.

**Russ** · 02-25-2010, 08:22 PM

Originally Posted by pinetree

I'm going to see if Dh can make something out of wood, I dont think the cardboard would last very long. I dont think it would be too hard to make.

http://www.canracks.com/index.php

**Grainlady** · 02-26-2010, 10:05 AM

I hated the wire can racks I was using so much I got rid of them. I can see how racks would work well if you purchase a case lot of green beans (or whatever) with all the same use-by dates, but when you purchase 1 or 2 cans at a time for storage, you'll find you'll rarely have the use-by dates in the correct order in your racks.

Loss leaders often have a use-by date in the near future (this is often true with peanut butter that's on sale), so they may need to be placed somewhere closer to the front of the cans in storage, not the last one in. I don't know how much time I spent pulling everything out of a rack and then adding two cans to the mix and refilling the cans into the rack. Instead of the new cans going to the back-of-the-line, they may actually be #3 and #4 out of 8 cans.

I did several things to get cans off racks and to reduce the overall number of cans in storage. The first was switching to #10 cans of freeze-dried food. I switched to tomato powder and eliminated cans of tomato paste, tomato sauce, pizza sauce, spaghetti sauce, etc. from storage entirely. It is my new rule to "make the most with the least" food storage that is based on ingredients, not convenience foods.

The other thing... In the basement, hubby installed shelves between studs on an interior wall that was finished on the other side of the studs (so the cans don't fall off). The cans are one can deep and each shelf holds 4-5 cans. I mark each can on the front with a marker with the use-by date so I can easily place new purchases in the correct place according to use-by dates, rather than using the FIFO method (FIRST-IN-FIRST-OUT).

Taking a visual inventory is a snap, and I can quickly see I need to pull that can of yams and get it used in the next few weeks because of the use-by date.

**cheles2kids** · 02-26-2010, 10:51 AM

Originally Posted by pinetree

I'm going to see if Dh can make something out of wood, I dont think the cardboard would last very long. I dont think it would be too hard to make.

Ooo there's not doubt that one could make something similar...take a peek on youtube.com as well, there are several ideas there.

As for the cardboard lasting? I can't say...but it looks fairly sturdy to me, and it seems pretty easy to pop together and would easily be moved from one spot to another (well, of course if it was emptied~lol).

Just thought I'd pass it along because I know alot of people have space issues and I honestly was looking at these more to place inside my kitchen shelves/pantry more than using downstairs for my longer term storage.

Please poste pics. if you're husband ends up making you some, I'd love to see how they turn out.

**jas** · 02-26-2010, 12:50 PM

Thanks for sharing the link. Here is another one. These are really nice. Out of my price range though. I would love to have them.
http://www.pharaohsstorehouse.com/canned_food.asp

**cheles2kids** · 02-26-2010, 01:46 PM

Originally Posted by jas

Thanks for sharing the link. Here is another one. These are really nice. Out of my price range though. I would love to have them.
http://www.pharaohsstorehouse.com/canned_food.asp

Jas...I've looked at that particular one before, I *think* someone here posted about them before, it's been awhile back though.

I'm with you...these are really nice but waaay outta my price range as well~

Although I'm sure once you put out the initial expense and put them up, you'd never need to replace them again.

But looking at them I'm wondering if a person couldn't make them with some pieces of trim and maybe a 1x2? Just kinda thinking out loud here.

**dcompton** · 02-26-2010, 03:11 PM

I'm considering this. I don't buy so many of things that expiration dates are a problem. It would be some expense to set up, but it would sure make my pantry neater and more compact.