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An idea for a practical 3D print for the kitchen - pot lid holder

p.kaczmarek2 8661 25

TL;DR

  • A 3D-printed pot lid holder hangs lids vertically inside cupboard doors to save space and make them easier to access.
  • The holder was modelled from scratch in Blender, printed in PLA on a Creality Ender 3 Pro, and sliced in Cura with supports and Draft quality.
  • The first print used a 0.6 mm nozzle and took about an hour and a half; the design was later adjusted 1 mm deeper for easier insertion and removal.
  • Larger holders were split into two halves because the printer’s 220 mm x 220 mm bed was too small, then glued together with strong superglue.
  • The design was adapted for different lid diameters, including 188 mm, 170 mm, and 210 mm versions, and it has worked well in three kitchens.
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  • An idea for a practical 3D print for the kitchen - pot lid holder
    Hello my dears
    I'd like to share here share an idea for a practical 3D print for the home and kitchen that has already appealed to several people and allowed us to get our cupboards in order. The idea is a simple organiser/handle/hanger for pot lids. I designed the whole thing from 0 and at the end of the topic I will give the 3D printable model files for download.

    Introduction
    The idea is trivial but very practical. Instead of keeping the pot lids together with the pots (which makes them difficult to pull out), you can keep them hung vertically from the inside of the cupboard doors. This saves space in the cupboards and makes it easier to access the lids themselves.
    It was for the purpose of storing the pot lids in this way that I designed a suitable holder - I made the 3D model itself in the program Blender , whereas I printed it out of PLA on a Creality Ender 3 Pro printer.

    Beginning of the project
    I started the project by sizing the smallest of the lids:
    An idea for a practical 3D print for the kitchen - pot lid holder
    I designed the whole piece. There could have been fewer fixing holes, but I assumed that the whole thing should last quite a long time and, moreover, I already knew that for larger lid diameters I would print the parts divided into two halves:
    An idea for a practical 3D print for the kitchen - pot lid holder
    An idea for a practical 3D print for the kitchen - pot lid holder
    An idea for a practical 3D print for the kitchen - pot lid holder
    An idea for a practical 3D print for the kitchen - pot lid holder
    An idea for a practical 3D print for the kitchen - pot lid holder
    I have enabled support (supports) in the print configuration in Cura:
    An idea for a practical 3D print for the kitchen - pot lid holder
    I selected the smallest print quality - Draft - that was sufficient.
    I then started printing. I was then still using the nozzle 0.6mm and not as is usually the case 0.4mm , so it went quite quickly, about an hour and a half:
    An idea for a practical 3D print for the kitchen - pot lid holder
    First test of the printed piece with the lid:
    An idea for a practical 3D print for the kitchen - pot lid holder
    Everything came out reasonably well on the first try:
    An idea for a practical 3D print for the kitchen - pot lid holder
    The only change I made to the overall mounting scheme after the first print was to make it 1 mm deeper to make it more convenient to insert/remove the lid.

    Two-piece mounts
    The printer 3D that I use ( Creality Ender 3 PRO ) can print items with a maximum base of 220mm x 220mm . Larger ones simply do not fit. To this end, most holders i had to divide it into two pieces before printing so that it could be glued together easily afterwards:
    An idea for a practical 3D print for the kitchen - pot lid holder
    An idea for a practical 3D print for the kitchen - pot lid holder
    After printing, they presented as follows:
    An idea for a practical 3D print for the kitchen - pot lid holder
    An idea for a practical 3D print for the kitchen - pot lid holder
    I used an all-purpose, strong drop/superglue to glue it together.

    Gluing the printed parts is very easy, you just need to hold them together a little to allow the glue to catch.
    Finished fixing:
    An idea for a practical 3D print for the kitchen - pot lid holder
    Finished kit for the first cabinet:
    An idea for a practical 3D print for the kitchen - pot lid holder
    Final result (I did not choose the mounting location):
    An idea for a practical 3D print for the kitchen - pot lid holder
    The solution seen in the photo above has been in place for a month now and works very well.

    Fixes for a second set of pots
    A few weeks later I received another set of pots (actually lids) from another kitchen, also to prepare the handles.
    It was immediately apparent that the dimensions of some of the lids were different, on top of which the lids were more deep (deep on the right, shallow on the left):
    An idea for a practical 3D print for the kitchen - pot lid holder An idea for a practical 3D print for the kitchen - pot lid holder
    An additional collar must be included in the model 3D :
    An idea for a practical 3D print for the kitchen - pot lid holder
    I have thus enriched my collection of 3D handles with further versions, including two 'deep' versions:
    An idea for a practical 3D print for the kitchen - pot lid holder
    An idea for a practical 3D print for the kitchen - pot lid holder

    When printing one of the mounts for the new lids, a minor problem occurred - the support (prop) of one of the mounts did not start to print correctly; a so-called 'spaghetti' of filament was created. However, in the end, by some miracle the mount itself printed correctly and the piece came out 100% correct. You can see the whole thing in the pictures:
    An idea for a practical 3D print for the kitchen - pot lid holder
    An idea for a practical 3D print for the kitchen - pot lid holder
    Close-up of the whole:
    An idea for a practical 3D print for the kitchen - pot lid holder
    When removed and inverted:
    An idea for a practical 3D print for the kitchen - pot lid holder
    An idea for a practical 3D print for the kitchen - pot lid holder An idea for a practical 3D print for the kitchen - pot lid holder
    But only the support element printed incorrectly here, not the handle itself, so after removing the support everything was ok.
    The second set of handles was also fully printed and fitted in the second kitchen, and was also well received by the householders.

    Attachment
    I place here the .blend source file with all the mounts I printed.
    There are separate objects in it:
    - mounting_diam188 - 188mm diameter mount
    - mounting_diam170 - mount with a diameter of 170mm
    - mounting_diam210_a - 210mm diameter mount - half one
    - mounting_diam210_b - 210mm diameter mount - half two
    - itp. etc.
    The naming of the objects indicates their size, so that it would be easy to find what we are looking for.
    They should be exported to STL so that they can then be opened in Cura or another slicer.
    Of course, we export each object separately - only the one that interests us at the moment.
    Attachment:
    lidHolde..2.zip (228.31 kB)You must be logged in to download this attachment.

    Summary
    The design has worked well for us, and I have done it for three different kitchens already. I'm sharing the design with the idea that maybe someone will like it too and it will help to make the kitchen tidy. If anyone is interested, everything is downloadable in the appendix. The individual objects in the .blend file are also properly signed and have dimensions in mm. If anyone needs a particular STL or a handle modelled to a particular dimension, please let me know, I'd be happy to help.

    Cool? Ranking DIY
    Helpful post? Buy me a coffee.
    About Author
    p.kaczmarek2
    Moderator Smart Home
    Offline 
    p.kaczmarek2 wrote 14406 posts with rating 12345, helped 650 times. Been with us since 2014 year.
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  • #2 18461387
    Ty-grysek
    Level 12  
    Posts: 184
    Help: 2
    Rate: 269
    The idea is interesting and practical, and the workmanship also deserves praise. However, I would like to point out that the filaments are not approved for food contact and - although in this case the contact is indirect - I would have some concerns. But maybe I am oversensitive and exaggerating.
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  • #3 18461437
    error105
    Level 14  
    Posts: 477
    Help: 1
    Rate: 145
    Neither are the hands, the pipes from which the water flows the same, and we boil soups. So yes, you are oversensitive :)

    I'm leaving aside the fact that the pot also touches a cupboard which has no such admission either, the sink, the countertop or the dryer. So I guess the filament would be the least of the problems in all this.
  • #4 18461444
    Ryszard49
    Level 39  
    Posts: 6183
    Help: 312
    Rate: 1001
    Ty-grit , read:
    Link
  • #5 18461516
    Ty-grysek
    Level 12  
    Posts: 184
    Help: 2
    Rate: 269
    Ryszard49 wrote:
    Ty-grit , read:
    Link

    Thanks, that's what I missed. The price is high, but not prohibitive. I wonder if and when it will be available in Poland.
  • #6 18461774
    szeryf3
    Level 30  
    Posts: 2046
    Help: 12
    Rate: 671
    A cool project and quite useful in real life.
    I've been looking for similar components from our brothers in Asia, but they don't have any. Pity.
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  • #7 18461904
    error105
    Level 14  
    Posts: 477
    Help: 1
    Rate: 145
    Ryszard49 wrote:
    Ty-grit , read:
    Link


    It is the filament that will be allowed, but what about the printer nozzle, the Teflon tube or the table on which we print ? It becomes one dog whether we print with PETG without certificate or with certificate.
  • #9 18462144
    kretowicz14
    Level 15  
    Posts: 140
    Help: 4
    Rate: 11
    jariko wrote:


    I printed such mounts for myself because 4 out of 8 had crumbled and were holding the glass. The design and printing time was a mere hour, and if anything happens the file is lying around as if another one had crumbled. :)
  • #10 18462913
    0ceanborn
    Level 25  
    Posts: 1176
    Help: 19
    Rate: 79
    As someone already said - food contact material. Typical filaments are not suitable but there are special ones. Of course for the right printer, with a regular daVincim you won't do it.
    Bad idea. Why create something that already exists ? Just do a google search.
    Lots of other things are needed that would really be worth printing for the kitchen.
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  • #12 18463663
    error105
    Level 14  
    Posts: 477
    Help: 1
    Rate: 145
    0ceanborn wrote:
    Lots of other things are needed that would really be worth printing for the kitchen.

    Then why haven't you presented any of these things until today ? Or are you also advocating to buy a printer and print the much needed figures from the thingiverse ?
  • #13 18463708
    szeryf3
    Level 30  
    Posts: 2046
    Help: 12
    Rate: 671
    @lubik00 these handles shown by the topic founder are cooler.
  • #14 18463857
    lubik00
    Level 15  
    Posts: 109
    Help: 7
    Rate: 11
    szeryf3 wrote:
    @lubik00 these handles shown by the topic founder are cooler.


    It's a matter of taste.
  • #15 18465117
    pietszyk
    Level 13  
    Posts: 88
    Help: 5
    Rate: 45
    Very cool idea. I, due to the lack of a printer, managed it like this.

    An idea for a practical 3D print for the kitchen - pot lid holder
  • #16 18465646
    KJ
    Level 31  
    Posts: 2370
    Help: 68
    Rate: 945
    Filament certified for food contact is only part of the problem, even assuming that the printer also has such a certificate. The problem here is reportedly the porous structure of the print which encourages the proliferation of unwanted micro-organisms.
  • #17 18466180
    0ceanborn
    Level 25  
    Posts: 1176
    Help: 19
    Rate: 79
    error105 wrote:

    Then why haven't you presented any of these things until today ?

    I don't know how to design shapes.
    error105 wrote:

    Or are you also advocating to buy a printer and print the much needed figures from the thingiverse ?

    No, and the Thingverse is not only useless figures, there are also a lot of necessary things e.g. spare parts for various devices.
    KJ wrote:
    Filament certified for food contact is only part of the problem even assuming the printer also has such a certificate. The problem here is reportedly the porous structure of the print which encourages the proliferation of unwanted microorganisms.

    Yes, although there are probably methods to deal with this, such as coating the finished product with some other material.
  • #18 18466759
    Belialek
    Level 22  
    Posts: 977
    Help: 19
    Rate: 124
    error105 wrote:
    Are you also advocating to buy a printer and print the much needed figures from the thingiverse ?


    That's a mate flying a bit... It's not a question of whether or not someone prints lid holders for themselves at home, it's just that these types of "projects" are posted on the electrode - right next to, for example, metal detector. There are specialist forums for 3D printing - I have no idea why this is littering this forum.... I can still understand if someone has made a design for an appliance case, or anything related to the topic of the forum - but a pot holder, seriously?

    Going back to the quoted passage - I bought a Prusa MK3 for a specific purpose, designed and printed the necessary gears, mechanisms, housing and handles for my device, and I don't throw myself at every project from thingiverse and design bullshit that can be bought for a pittance just to keep the printer running. For you the "much-needed figures" are meaningless, for others the lid holder (where a couple of posts above there is a solution how it can be done without printing, aesthetically pleasing and more robust - and being a printer owner I would choose just such a solution).

    This whole discussion can be boiled down to one statement - the electrode is not the place for a project to 3D print lid holders.
  • #19 18467540
    szeryf3
    Level 30  
    Posts: 2046
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    Rate: 671
    Do you think you are wrong?
  • #21 18468198
    romulus73
    Level 28  
    Posts: 1220
    Help: 96
    Rate: 252
    Print projects are given to the thing that is electrode. I have plenty of them inserted in the dedicated forum but not on alektrod.


    An idea for a practical 3D print for the kitchen - pot lid holder An idea for a practical 3D print for the kitchen - pot lid holder An idea for a practical 3D print for the kitchen - pot lid holder
  • #22 18478379
    Marek Sp
    Level 20  
    Posts: 1355
    Help: 1
    Rate: 137
    Very cool idea and as always full of critics
  • #23 20822148
    bozenakurzewska
    Level 2  
    Posts: 2
    Cool stuff you guys are making. Maybe someone has the willingness, the time, to make me a part of the handle for the pressure cooker for a fee or for a friendly rematch. The pressure cooker is an old type, KUKTA, Hungarian from the '80s and the part, now, is not available for purchase and I could use it. I'm not going to buy the whole pressure cooker because it's quite a big expense where there's a chance to make it. I will send, if anything, the damaged part, at my own expense, of course.
    Attachments:
    • An idea for a practical 3D print for the kitchen - pot lid holder uchwyt.jpg (656.04 KB) You must be logged in to download this attachment.
  • #24 20823197
    Ty-grysek
    Level 12  
    Posts: 184
    Help: 2
    Rate: 269
    bozenakurzewska wrote:
    Part of the handle for the pressure cooker
    This is where an ordinary 3D printer with filament will not work - such prints are not temperature resistant
  • #25 20823977
    bozenakurzewska
    Level 2  
    Posts: 2
    Thanks, have a great day!
  • #26 21530529
    OPservator
    Level 39  
    Posts: 6683
    Help: 554
    Rate: 1219
    @Ty-grysek
    Czech Prusa sells Filaments suitable for food contact - mainly PLA and PET-G, and from Chinese brands you have Creality PLA+ and AnyCubic PLA+.

    Maybe I wouldn't necessarily print a cup out of PLA and drink tea in it (the softening temperature of PLA is about 120*C), but I would have no problem pouring water into it.

    Added after 2 [minutes]:

    Generally biodegradable filaments are considered chemically neutral and safe for food contact.
    Older type printers, due to their lower precision, could make micro gaps in the prints, if you drink in such a cup, fungus will end up growing between the walls.
    But there is also a remedy for this, you can always cover it with some super-safe varnish :D
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FAQ

TL;DR: DIY 3D‑printed pot‑lid holder prints in about 1.5 hours; "works very well" after a month. Designed in Blender, sliced in Cura, with modular sizes for shallow and deep lids. For makers wanting tidy cabinet‑door storage using Ender‑3‑class printers. [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #18461075]

Why it matters: It’s a low‑cost, space‑saving kitchen upgrade you can customize and reprint on demand.

Quick Facts

What is this pot‑lid holder and who is it for?

It’s a 3D‑printed organizer that mounts on the inside of cabinet doors to store pot lids vertically. The designer modeled variants for different lid sizes and depths, then shared the source file for others to print. It targets makers with entry‑level FDM printers who want better kitchen storage without buying commercial racks. The first installation ran a month and “works very well.” [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #18461075]

Will it fit large lids if my printer bed is only 220×220 mm?

Yes. The design includes two‑piece versions for larger diameters. You print each half, then align and glue them to create a full‑size holder. This approach works within the Ender 3 Pro’s 220×220 mm limit and keeps prints stable. The author used superglue and reported easy bonding and solid results. [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #18461075]

What printer settings worked well (time, nozzle, supports)?

The author used an Ender 3 Pro with a 0.6 mm nozzle, Cura’s Draft quality, and enabled supports. One mount printed in about 1.5 hours. The larger nozzle reduced time compared with a 0.4 mm nozzle while maintaining strength for this utility part. “Everything came out reasonably well on the first try.” [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #18461075]

How do I install the holder on a cabinet door?

  1. Pick the model matching your lid diameter (or the two‑piece version).
  2. Print with supports, remove supports, and glue halves if needed.
  3. Position on the door and fasten through the provided fixing holes with suitable screws. This simple process produced a month of trouble‑free use in the example build. [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #18461075]

Are typical 3D‑printing filaments safe for food contact?

A forum contributor flagged that typical filaments are not approved for direct food contact. Even here, contact is indirect, but caution is reasonable. If you want food‑safe parts, research certified materials and consider the full workflow (nozzle, tube, bed). For lid holders, indirect contact reduces risk, but hygiene still matters. [Elektroda, Ty-grysek, post #18461387]

What about porous prints and cleanliness in kitchens?

Another member noted that FDM prints can be porous, which can harbor microbes. You can mitigate by designing with fewer crevices, printing with higher flow and thicker walls, and finishing the surface. However, this project stores lids, not food, so standard cleaning practices usually suffice. “The problem...is the porous structure of the print.” [Elektroda, KJ, post #18465646]

How do I handle deep lids that need extra clearance?

The designer created “deep” versions by adding a collar in the 3D model. Select the deep variant in the .blend file when your lid’s handle sits lower relative to the rim. This gives insertion clearance and stable support without stressing the door. Two deep versions are included. [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #18461075]

Where are the files and how do I export them for printing?

Open the provided .blend file and select the labeled object that matches your lid size (e.g., mounting_diam170). Export that single object as STL. Load it into Cura or another slicer, enable supports, choose Draft quality, and slice. Print, remove supports, and test‑fit with your lid. [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #18461075]

What if my support fails and I get filament “spaghetti”?

One print showed failed support but the main part still completed correctly. If this happens, stop if the model integrity is compromised. If the geometry is intact, remove loose strands and evaluate fit. Improve support settings or adhesion for the next run. This edge case did not ruin the final mount. [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #18461075]

Are there ready‑made alternatives if I don’t want to print?

Yes. Members pointed to inexpensive off‑the‑shelf clamps and holders that can secure lids or glass. If you lack a printer or want metal hardware, those can be a fast solution. Printing shines when you need custom sizes or rapid replacements. [Elektroda, jariko, post #18462129]

Can I print a replacement pressure‑cooker handle?

Avoid FDM filament parts for pressure‑cooker handles. A member warned that ordinary 3D‑printer filaments aren’t temperature‑resistant enough for that application. Heat and steam can exceed the softening point and lead to failure. Use certified, heat‑rated parts from the manufacturer when safety is critical. [Elektroda, Ty-grysek, post #20823197]

How long has this design been field‑tested?

The first cabinet install ran for about one month at the time of posting and “works very well.” That’s a useful early signal of durability under normal kitchen use. Keep screws tight and check adhesion if you glued a two‑piece holder. [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #18461075]

Is there a more material‑efficient option than full rings?

Yes. One contributor suggested using simple printed hooks to cradle lids and save filament. Hooks reduce print time and plastic while keeping access easy. Try a minimal hook pattern if your door layout is tight or you want a lighter look. [Elektroda, noel200, post #18468133]

Where else can I find kitchen or repair models to print?

Community libraries like Thingiverse include many functional parts, not just figures. Users highlighted spares and useful household items. Search with specific keywords (e.g., “lid hook,” “cabinet organizer”) and filter by printer size and material. “There are also a lot of necessary things e.g. spare parts.” [Elektroda, 0ceanborn, post #18466180]

What is PLA and when should I avoid it?

PLA is a common, easy‑printing bioplastic. A member noted its softening temperature is about 120°C. Use it for room‑temperature organizers like this holder. Avoid PLA for high‑heat parts such as cookware handles or near ovens and stovetops. Choose heat‑tolerant materials for hot environments. [Elektroda, OPservator, post #21530529]

What is a slicer, and which one was used here?

A slicer converts 3D models into printer instructions (G‑code). The project used Cura with Draft quality and supports enabled. That balance delivered strength and a fast print for utility hardware. You can replicate those settings as a starting point on similar FDM printers. [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #18461075]
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