Look Closely at the Construction
If you’re trying to identify a mystery rack like this, the construction can reveal a lot.
Check the Shelves
Are the shelves completely flat?
Are they closely spaced?
Are there only a few widely separated levels?
The spacing can provide clues about what was supposed to sit on them.
Look for Wheels or Casters
A rack with wheels may have been designed to move in and out of a particular space.
That’s especially interesting if the rack fits inside or beside an appliance-sized opening.
Check for Rails
Rails, grooves, or tracks can indicate that trays or shelves were meant to slide in and out.
That would suggest a very different purpose from a simple storage shelf.
Look for Heat Damage
Discoloration, baked-on residue, or heat-related wear could provide clues that the rack spent years near an oven or another heat-producing appliance.
Of course, old metal
There’s more to discover. Continue to the next page for the rest of this article.
