Introduction: Super Easy (and Cheap!) Magnetic Spice Rack

By www.eatingvegan.net

 Do you hate your spice rack?  Does it take up counter space and get inexcusably dusty?  Does it contain spices that you will never use? (Seriously, WTF is "savory" anyway?)

Then go over to your window, throw it open, lean out and yell, "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take this any more!"

Then follow this Instructable and you'll have your very own under-the-cabinet magnetic spice rack that doesn't require a second mortgage.

Step 1: Materials

 You might be asking, "But can't you just go out and get those magnetic spice thingies at the local bed and bath super box store?"

Sure you can, but it's lame.  And you can't mount them under the cabinet because the lids aren't held tightly enough and they will fall off.  Also, it's more expensive. (Even with an abnormally-sized 20% off coupon.)

This spice rack was made mostly from things we already had lying around.

You will need:
1 power drill
1 drill bit
4 screws
Gorilla Glue
Scrap wood
junked-up cookie sheet (test the cookie sheet to make sure that it's magnetic before you commit to it)
spice jars with lids
rare earth magnets
screwdriver (not pictured)
lovely assistant (not pictured)

The jars were the only things we had to buy specifically for this project, and they were only $.99 each.  Beat that, needlessly-alliterative chain store.

Step 2: Wash the Jars.

I don't have a picture for this, but you should get the idea.  This stuff is going in your food, so make sure the jars are clean, m'kay? 

Step 3: Attach the Magnets

 We decided to put two of our Curiously Strong Magnets on each lid.  Since the lids are, themselves, magnetic, we had to engage in some super-glue acrobatics to make sure it got done without attaching anyone's hand to his or her (my) forehead.

First, lay down a lid and lay two magnets on top of it.  Then put just a drop of glue on each magnet.  Take a second lid and press it down on top of thefirst lid. (It should stick together naturally, since everything in the jumble is magnetic.)  Set the two lids aside for the glue to set.  This takes about 30 seconds.

Step 4: Fill the Jars

Once the lids are ready, you can go ahead and fill the jars. (Which is really what you've been waiting to do this whole time.)  You can also label them in the fashion of your choosing.  We chose to write on the lids.

Here are some of our more aesthetically pleasing spices. 

Step 5: Drill Holes in Cookie Sheet

The title is pretty self-explanatory.  You want to put a hole in each corner of your cookie sheet so that you can screw it into the underside of the cabinets later on.  I used a 5/32 drill bit, but size isn't important. (Ha.) 

Step 6: Secure Cookie Sheet to Underside of Cabinet

 With the screws, as with the drill bit, size doesn't matter.  Just make sure the screws are not so long that they'll poke through the wood and into the cabinet above.  Also, make sure that the head of the screw is large enough that it won't just pass through the hole you drilled. (There's a dirty joke in there somewhere...)

Step 7: Stick 'em Up!

 Attach your fancy new spice jars to your fancy new metal-plated cabinet.

Step 8: Freecycle Your Old Spice Rack

Give that crap to someone else and go enjoy your awesome new spice rack.

Or just go order some takeout and put your feet up.  You've earned it.

Step 9: Special Thanks

I have to give special thanks to my Lovely Assistant for her help in putting this project together and for inspiring it in the first place.  She is my muse.

And amusing.