Automated Pop-up Kitchen Spice Rack

This is a simple Kitchen Automation project. A Firgelli Automation FA-400-12-18" stroke linear actuator was used to pop up this spice rack. Of course the top would typically be the granite square that was cut out originally, and the spice rack could be a coffee machine, microwave, TV, wine rack or anything else you wish to hide in your kitchen.

The actuator sits pointing upwards and as you can see the middle of the spice rack has a sort of hollow column, this is where the other end of the actuator fits inside. It's not required if you use the Firgelli Automations column lift which is a ready to go remote control lift mechanism.

Step 1: Kitchen grannite top

This customer wanted to have the spice rack lift up from the Kitchen island. 1st thing they did was cut a square hole in the granite top, the granite maker can do that for you. Typically you would use another square piece to fill the hole so that when the rack drops the granite becomes flush with the top lid to look like a single piece of granite

Comments

[esg.827]

Hello im having a little trouble understanding how actuators work, could somebody please help me? do actuators work directly from current or do they need a controller? and if so, could you help me find one? i only want it to be in 2 positions, fully extended and fully retracted

Thanks in advance

[barefootbohemian]

I have been wanting to make something similar to this to house my stand mixer in the "dead corner" space of my kitchen cabinets. Just have to work out a way to have it so I can access the mixer and be able to lift the bowl position without having to move the thing much. Think I might work on this some and even if I have to redo some of my pretty pathetic tile job I did as an original counter replacement, it should be well worth the work! Thanks for the ible. I can imagine a lot of things to hide away in those lame corners of older style cabinets without having to replace all the cabinetry!

[merillo5]

I want this !!!! This is the BEST idea ever !!!

[helllordkb]

This is fantastic! I always wanted something like this since i saw the Fruit rack drop out of the ceiling in Back to the Future. I plan on doing this in a house im gonna probably buy in the next year. Definitely surprised how few spices are there though, I have tons of spices. An idea on making this better.

1. One critical problem I see is spices falling over and or other things obstructing the unit from moving up and/or down correctly. I know how easily spices can fall over or get knocked over and it would be a pain to have the rack get stuck when your trying to cook.

An easy way I see to fix this is to add a hollow plastic cylinder that fits snug around the edges of the circler shelves in the spice rack. The plastic would stay down underneath the countertop when the spice rack is raised so that you don't see it above and it doesn't get in the way of accessing spices. The plastic hollow cylinder would be angled or curved at the top and adhered to the underside of countertop to ensure it doesn't move and so the spice rack does not get caught on it when it lowers or raises.


I love this idea and i might even consider 2 like this in the future. I would also probably making the spice rack it self a lazy suzanne. Theres no need for an electric motor to run it. I think this is much a much better solution for corner cabinets that people have lazy suzanne in and have to bend down and spin through it.

[stacieg]

What a cool idea! I would worry a little bit about crumbs getting down in the cracks, but for things you use all the time like coffee makers it could definitely help get rid of countertop clutter.... Haha... I like the comment about the pop-up fridge :). Thanks for sharing!!  

Stacie G.
Summit Design Remodeling
Home Remodeling for Metro DC: VA and MD

[Krossculture]

OMG, you're brilliant. Very cool!

[raquelamiga]

heyyyy where can i get it....????

[Ghost Wolf]

How do you hook it up to the wall? 

[Troy (Firgelli Automations)]

It requires a 12VDC power source, so you would use a 12VDC power adaptor that plugs into the wall.  The 12V power then goes to the switch described in step 3.

Let me know if I'm not describing it well enough..

[Ghost Wolf]

yes I understand (I'm not dense) 

[alvincredible]

would you be able to do this horizontally into a wall!? SECRET COMPARTMENT!! YAY!

[kitsuken]

spring loaded drawer would probably be both simpler and more straight forward than this, as well as meaning you don't have to worry about broken motors and losing your stuff :p

[shooby]

Definitely could, but then why have the actuator? Just make it a drawer.

[cowscankill]

:O!!! Such a good idea! i wish i could make secret compartments in my room...

[porcupinemamma]

me too cowscankill.    see http://images.google.ca/images?q=hidden+rooms&rls=com.microsoft:en-US&oe=utf8&redir_esc=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=JYysS7C1JYG78gb9gKHcCw&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CCIQsAQwAw

[NetReaper]

if i ever get a kitchen ill make this...

[Seppuko]

I agree, this is one of the best (if not THE best) kitchen instructables I've ever seen. If I ever do something like this, I would seal the underside with rubber (to avoid leakage) and turn the top of it into a removable cutting board. Just a thought :) it'll be years before I own a house, anyway.

[PVCprince]

best kitchen instructable ive seen. Bit of constructive criticism though..if it is criticism or just another idea..anyway.....it would be cool to have the spices rotating aswell when in the "up" position.

[LMO]

I am impressed. I think I'll be doing this with all of my appliances. The stove and fridge may be a challenge though.....

[JeremyA]

This is so cool. Is there a reason why you used the wood top instead of granite? I think it still looks nice with the wood. Also just on a friendly note. It's kind of funny how you have the worlds fanciest spice rack but only a few spices. I can't wait to try this

[GRiMthepunchdrunk]

Awesome! When I get my own place one day I'm so tempted to make this! :D

Looks VERY handy. and swooshy ^_