Ideas for a Detached Pantry

Canning Preparation

• For those who spend time canning seasonal fruits, a detached pantry is a good space not only to store the ingredients, but also the finished canned goods. Keeping everything centralized allows the voracious canner the ability to use one area for all canning needs and keep the home kitchen clean and in order. Some detached pantries may already have electrical outlets and a sink. If the pantry doesn't already have these, the upgrades along with a good work table help save time and energy when making jams, jellies and processing other foods.

Garage Use

• If you don't have a detached pantry, but need more space for larger supplies, adapting part of your enclosed garage can suffice. To do so, a second refrigerator or large freezer will store extra perishables such as meats and dairy items. One or two wire racks are a simple method of creating easy-to-maintain shelf space for drinks, boxed goods and bulk ingredients. If incorporating a pantry as part of a garage, keep all food items on the higher shelves, with household goods such as paper towels and napkins on lower shelves, to deter rodents. Use air-tight containers to preserve the freshness of goods.

Wine Storage

• When detached pantries were popular, one type of pantry off the dining room was a butler's pantry with wine and other spirits. Utilize modern detached pantries as a place to keep wine, distilled spirits and perhaps even cigars. Enclose part of the pantry and install a humidor for your cigar collection while installing a wine chiller and racks to keep bottles ready for unexpected toasts. A pantry gives you the space needed while keeping contents in a cool dark environment for proper storage.

Considerations

• While most people value any additional storage space in the home, you may not need the detached pantry. If you are unable to find any use for an existing detached pantry, consider removing a wall or two to open it up to adjacent rooms. Speak with a home decorator or architect about options to open the space up and join two rooms instead.