Adding Pull-Out Drawers to Pantry

[ratherbecamping]

I know that someone has done this, but we haven't been able to figure out how without wasting a lot of space on the side. We have a 2014 Surveyor and it is so hard to get your stuff out of the pantry without pulling a lot of small baskets holding the food out (that is what we are using now). I have seen it where someone has pull-out drawers, but I would think you would waste a lot of space. Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

[EYEMAN]

Originally Posted by ratherbecamping

I know that someone has done this, but we haven't been able to figure out how without wasting a lot of space on the side. We have a 2014 Surveyor and it is so hard to get your stuff out of the pantry without pulling a lot of small baskets holding the food out (that is what we are using now). I have seen it where someone has pull-out drawers, but I would think you would waste a lot of space. Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

It all depends on what you are converting. If it is a tall clothes closet like we put slide out shelves in, it is practical. We were just stacking things in this area and as a result not getting the full benefit of it.

[ratherbecamping]

This is a cabinet next to the refrigerator that is designated as a pantry. It has adjustable shelves, so you can adjust those or you can take them completely out. We just need to know how to install pull out shelves to adjust them on the sides so you don't lose a lot of space and you can take full advantage of the deep cabinet. Again any help is appreciated. Thank you so much.

[Herk7769]

I did the pull out drawer mod and we do use the space to the side of the drawers. The mod uses 12 inch wide pull out wire shelves that I modified with bolt cutters to have vertical sides (makes them about 9 inches wide).

[EYEMAN]

Sound like what we worked with, except we did not have shelves in ours. It was more of a small shirt closet. I used ball bearing drawer slides and made the trays. I would call them trays for they are only about 3" deep. This helped us to see the contents when they are shallow. Works much better than shelves or an open area that gets cluttered.

[ratherbecamping]

This is kind of what I was looking for. Didn't you lose a lot of space on the side of the cabinet because the door is smaller than the actual inside of the cabinet? Hope that makes sense.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by ratherbecamping

This is kind of what I was looking for. Didn't you lose a lot of space on the side of the cabinet because the door is smaller than the actual inside of the cabinet? Hope that makes sense.

Not really. I looked at it as we had more "usable" space after the mod.

As to the sides of the basket, we keep flat items there like broiler bags, etc.

[MOD Guy]

Lou's set up looks great. The key is going to find something that will fit the space you have, which can be difficult sometimes. You may have to build something to maximize the space. Using under-mount, full extension slides will allow the most use of space (width). Keep the sides of the pullouts wire or 1/4" wood. Also account for some type of travel catch/lock on the pantry door. You are always going to loose a bit of space with a slide out, but keep in mind total space does not always equal usable space.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by MOD Guy

Also account for some type of travel catch/lock on the pantry door.

TRUTH... Look in upper right corner as I needed to add a positive locking latch.

The first time out, those heavy slides pushed the door open and a jar of pasta sauce fell out and was rolling around on the floor!

Could have been a real "trip buzz kill" if it had broken.

[gasman6674]

I found some Rev A Shelf units a Menards that work for me and the have a friction lock to hold them closed

[ratherbecamping]

Thank you everyone for your input. Now I will give this to my DH for construction. You know the DW always comes up with the ideas. Thanks!!!

[hatfield]

We had those aggravating baskets in out 2011 Georgetown and Hubby took them out and made us slide out wooden shelves to fit the area. Instead of having 4 small wire baskets I now have 5 custom shelves..

[Ken Y]

You would lose some space. You need to block out your sides to the edge of your cabinet frame. The rollout shelves need to be 1 inch less than your opening. Usu

ally the space you loose is well worth it for the convenience you gain..Ken

[Dabmeb]

We didn't lose a lot of space and the trade off is well worth it the space under the front entry cabinet was useless to use without laying on the floor. All done in one day and we love it.


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[UK Cards Fan]

This wire slide out is what we are looking for. Organization! Do you recall how wide the shelves are?

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by UK Cards Fan

This wire slide out is what we are looking for. Organization! Do you recall how wide the shelves are?

My opening was 10 inches and I used 11 inch baskets.

I clipped the wires with bolt cutters and bent the sides to fit.

ClosetMaid 5.25 in. x 11 in. x 20 in. White Wire Cabinet Organizer-3051 - The Home Depot

[ratherbecamping]

Thank you again for all your help. My DH is not looking forward to the mod because he has to twist his body in order to try and fit in the cabinet and also work to install whatever we decide in. Thanks!!!