Plate rack is not the most efficient use of space and I found it a PITA to carefully insert between the wood dowels in the front and the back. If you have a problem with mold, then I suppose that would be the case for anything you stack - smaller plates, bowls etc. Perhaps the answer is a higher end dishwasher that does a good job of drying? I have found that our Miele does a much much better job of drying than the old Bosch we had. Also I am for minizing the time dealing with dishes and stacking iis just a lot faster (as is just scraping and putting in the dishwasher which I feel more confident about with the good quality dishwasher.

BTW --> Is your dishwasher in the butler's pantry? If not, you might want to think about a different storage place for everyday dishes that is at arms reach from the DW.

I think that there are plate rack options, but I would advise against it because your whole 3rd shelf would then just be for plates. I see also lot of bowls and other things on that shelf, and would doubt you would have the space to keep them in the same spot.

Lastly, I would check the fit of your plates. someone metioned that the smaller plates would not necessarily fit well in plate racks designed for larger plates when I was researching for my own kitchen.

Just my thoughts. We just finished a full kitchen/dining room remodel and I am glad I preserved as much general purpose shelving as possible.

A little suggestions, is maybe have sliding cabinet doors put in like in old European kitchens to help with the dust.

Would either of these from This Old House generate ideas that your carpenter could modify?
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20339217_20731316,00.html

Here is a link that might be useful: how to build

Hi Chester,
Thanks, that is helpful.

MeiSoCal,
It's the middle shelf actually that i think would be the right size for plates and ergonomically best. All of the stuff in the photo is the PO's. There is a lot of storage between the DR, butler's pantry and kitchen. I've already mapped it out; this is my third kitchen reno in 10 yrs so I'm comfortable with those issues. I think the 13 1/2 spacing would fit most any dish; the bigger constraint are my FP DW drawers! I am getting all new dishes so I will choose with that in mind.

GW,
I am putting in two dishwashers, one in the BP and one in the kitchen proper. This area will be used most for dishwashing and storage.
Hmm, I dont know why, but I really only saw it on plates.
I think what you describe being a PITA about the rack may be a design flaw ... looking for someone who liked their design.

Thank you Kompy! Are yours open at the bottom? What is the depth. Cant believe I forgot that!

Who makes yours?

We had a plate rack in our old house. Cabinets were custom made by a local Cabinet maker...and although I loved the usefulness of the plate rate, it was a nightmare to keep clean. He used dowels as "separators" between the plates, and they were not removable. And the plate rack was in the corner, so there was that deep space to try to keep clean/dusted. Just make sure you can pull it out.

{{!gwi}}

Thanks, Joyce! I am trying to find a way to facilitate cleaning.

I considered adding frames to my DR hutch cabinet for a plate rack. Unfortunately, the shelves are not far enough apart, and, anyway, more plates can be stacked in the same space.

My plan was to make two rectangular frames that fit exactly in the opening, with dowel rods inserted at correct intervals (think rails on a baby crib). I would have drilled a couple of holes in each side, then drilled corresponding holes in the cabinet side, and inserted removable wooden pins. Counter-sunk screws would work, too, but would take a little more time and effort to remove. The frames would then be removable for cleaning.

That was my plan--it never got off the ground, so I don't know if it would have worked.

Did you see this?
https://www.houzz.com/magazine/13-ways-to-add-a-plate-rack-to-your-kitchen-stsetivw-vs~352628

Would something like this be unobtrusive enough while still visible and cleanable?

Here is a link that might be useful: plate rack

Here's another from Houzz that I had bookmarked a few years ago:

[Craftsman Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/craftsman-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2116) by San Francisco Architects & Designers Schwartz and Architecture

I love my plate rack too! It looks similar to yours too - shelf on top, dinner plates, salad plates. It is not open on the bottom since I unload dry plates from the dish drawers. It stays very clean, but I can vacuum with the skinny attachment if necessary. It can also be removed - screws removed, can't see them unless you're standing in a chair - but would probably be a PITA to put back.

Rococogurl has a lovely kitchen. I don't recall if her plate rack is open or closed on the bottom.

I have 3 different styles but the one to the right of the sink is used daily. It's closed on the bottom. They are open on the bottom usually only when over a sink so they drip through. But if extra ventilation is needed the bottoms could be drilled though with small holes but not sure that would be necessary.

There is a slot system with remove able dowels. Easy to clean but it doesn't get dirty. I have extra dowels. It's done in paint grade maple. Was a Plain&Fancy piece I customized.

It's the easiest dish storage I have and as a confessed dishaholic it's an issue.

I adore my plate rack!! Mine is used to store salad-sized plates on my hutch.

Nancy

Thanks, Springroz, good to know.

Rococo; so is this like a module that one buys, rather then having a carpenter make it? Dumb question, but is it just one dowel for each slot? I also realize, seeing your kitchen again, that I think I am channelling your pretty backsplash ... I am doing a grey and white floor with buttercup appliances. I think I know where i got the colors from now!

Allison, I see your dish drawers, but id never guess they were there. Gorgeous.

Leela, hmm they don't look like dowels

Chester; I'm a form over function girl! Moldy dishes are just a convenient excuse

Eandhl - I will go look, thanks.

Mama Goose, hmm, good to know.

mtnrdredux, every time you post a picture of your current kitchen, I think "I LOVE THAT!!"

I really hope you retain the warmth in that kitchen. It's really special.

Aww, thanks mags! I sure do hope to, and I think I will. I'm only ripping out the newer stuff, all of the antique parts stay. And the stuff that I put back in will all be chosen with a vintage vibe. I want it to look like a 1906 kitchen that got news appliances in the 40s and has been untouched since...
LOL

I LOVE my plate rack. We just load it up straight from the dishwasher. If I had the space I'd have two levels for two sizes of plates. Ours is open at the bottom. Keeping it clean is not an issue at all.

mtn-- I happened to find a plate rack in the cabinet showroom which I didn't care for so I had them customize it to fit my space.

How high and deep is the shelf you want to convert? Can't see any reason it couldn't be built into existing shelves as long as the carpenters know how and the space is right.

I've often said my kitchen is the color of butter LOL. Thanks for the kind words.