History reveals that the first pot racks were created centuries ago at the urging of the King of France, who sought better order in the kitchens of his palace. He charged three of his chefs with devising some new method of storage, and the trio set out to meet his demands.

In those days, mass-produced products and raw materials were unheard of. The first rack was instead forged by hand by pounding and shaping hot metal that was positioned on an anvil. The work was done entirely by the French chefs who ensured the creation was free of defects and truly fitting for a king.

When Enclume Design Products was formed more than 40 years ago in Port Hadlock, Washington, the company had one goal: to produce housewares products that would have satisfied the King of France, but with features and conveniences to satisfy modern homeowners. This mix of old world quality and style with modern design and innovation has made the brand one of the leading manufacturers of pot racks in the world.

We created our Buyers' Guide to Kitchen Islands and Pot Racks by Enclume to assist you with shopping for the high quality housewares made by the brand. The guide is organized by answers to the most common questions that we receive about the company.

What makes Enclume products different from those made by other manufacturers?

There are several features that set the brand’s products apart from similar products on the market:

• Rather than being made on an assembly line, each metal product is forged by hand with traditional French metal-forming equipment.
• To ensure quality, all Enclume products are inspected by hand after every single step in the manufacturing process, unlike mass-produced housewares, which may not be inspected until they are completely finished.
• Prior to shipping to retailers, all Of the brand’s products are wrapped by hand to allow them to arrive to you just the way they looked when they were finished being forged. Other brands’ products are wrapped using machines or placed into boxes, which are then filled with packing materials. Both methods do not fully protect the products and can allow them to become blemished or marred during shipping.
• High quality forged steel is used in every rack for ultimate durability. The brand boasts steel that is two times thicker than its competitors.'
• The wood used to produce The brand’s kitchen islands is premium Eastern maple. Each tree that is used to make the hardwood is selected by hand rather than mass-harvested to create less of an impact on the environment.
• The hanging arm style that is the brand's signature feature offers more support and strength than standard designs of other brands, which typically feature lightweight chains threaded through lightweight rims.
• The superior craftsmanship and fine raw materials used to make every one of the brand’s products are meant to last a lifetime and can go beyond that to become a family heirloom when cared for properly.

What brands of pot racks does Enclume produce, and what makes them different from one another?

The company has three main brands:

• Premier is Enclume's top of the line brand. Its styles are intended to mimic those of the earliest rack styles, where the beauty comes from the look of the materials rather than ornate stylistic additions. The line includes hanging styles in bar, oval, rectangle and round shapes with some especially designed for low ceilings. Wall and standing styles are also featured in a variety of styles.
• Décoris The company's line of racks with a modern design. The racks feature stylistic flourishes like ironwork scrolls. The hanging styles include oval and rectangle.
• Rack It Up is the value line that is designed to be low in cost without sacrificing style and craftsmanship. The racks are also designed for easy installation. Hanging styles in round, bar and rectangle shapes are available as well as wall mount models in shelf and bar styles.

With what components does an Enclume rack come?

Each rack comes with all of the pieces for the rack, assembly instructions and hooks. Hanging racks also come with ceiling screw hooks, while wall mount styles contain lag bolts for installation. Additional hooks, chains and extension hooks are available for purchase separately. For most styles, grids must also be purchased individually.

What are the features of The brand’s islands?

Enclume kitchen islands are made with hammered steel and topped with an Eastern maple butcher block, an ideal surface for cutting and chopping. Caster-mounted carts are available in basic rectangle and square shapes as well as more sophisticated baker's rack styles. The brand also makes stationery islands and sideboards. All of the kitchen furnishings have open designs with shelves for storage, and most feature sturdy hammered steel towel racks. The baker's styles have an additional hanging rack for utensils.

Does The brand manufacture other products?

Yes, Enclume produces a wide variety of additional products from its attractive hammered steel. Many of these products are other types of storage racks that coordinate perfectly with the manufacturer's other products, such as book racks, wine storage racks, hat and coat racks, and apron racks. The brand also makes innovative book holders to make your cookbooks easy to read while you work, fruit baskets for attractive counter top storage, and even whimsical dinner triangles to round up the gang when it's time to eat.

What finishes are available in the brand’s lineup?

Enclume offers three main finishes in its products:

• Hammered steel is the most well-known finish. To produce the finish, metal is hot-rolled and then distressed using a blend of chemicals. This creates a rich black tarnish called a "patina" on the surface of the steel. The patina is then coated with a protective barrier to prevent it from flaking off and keeps the piece looking beautiful for a lifetime. Hammered steel is featured in all three of Enclume's brands and is also the most commonly used for its furnishings and kitchen accessories.
• Electroplating involves using electricity to melt precious metals and apply them over a sturdy stainless steel body. This creates a non-tarnishing core that helps the precious metals resist oxidation or tarnishing over time. The company uses electroplating to produce finishes in chrome, a cool silver color; brass, a sparkling gold color; and copper, a warm, red-tinted color. The brass and chrome electroplating includes one layer of precious metal and one layer of nickel for added durability. Copper electroplating has two layers of copper with no nickel layer. None of the electroplated finishes are coated with lacquer. This means the pieces will have to be regularly cleaned and polished, but the good news is that you will not have the hassle of dealing with reapplying varnish that flakes off over time. The electroplated finishes are found primarily in the Premier brand.
• Stainless steel is created by blending iron and carbon with alloys, which are additional metals that make the iron resistant to tarnishing and rusting and allow it to stand up to high temperatures. Enclume features stainless steel in its Premier and Décor lines. The finish is silver in color.

How do I care for my Enclume product?

The way that you care for your new product will depend largely on its finish.

• For hammered steel finishes,simply wiping with warm, soapy water is typically enough to remove dirt and dust. A mild cleanser can also be used. As hammered steel does not rust, maintenance is minimal, provided you clean the piece regularly.
• For chrome finishes, select a glass cleaner, spritz the surface and then wipe it clean to remove any smudges as well as dirt and dust. The chrome finish does not require much maintenance beyond regular cleaning.
• For stainless steel finishes, you can use mild soap and water or a dry microfiber cloth to remove most dirt and dust. A stainless steel cleanser can be used once or twice per year for a thorough cleaning, or more often if needed. If you choose to use a nylon scrubbing cloth on the metal or any abrasive cleanser, only rub with the grain to avoid scratches. Like hammered steel and chrome, stainless steel is a low-maintenance finish.
• For brass finishes, you will need to be vigilant to remove any signs of tarnishing the moment they appear by using a mild jewelry cleaner. Regular polishing with a non-abrasive cleanser will help to prevent tarnish from forming.
• For copper finishes, use a copper cleaner to remove dirt and dust and always inspect the piece for signs of tarnishing. As copper is the most susceptible to oxidation and, therefore, the most at risk for tarnishing, you'll find that styles in copper finishes require the most polishing and regular maintenance to keep them looking their best.

What does "Enclume" mean?

The word "enclume" comes from the French word for "anvil." The name is a reference to the method used to create Enclume metal products, the inspiration for which was derived from the stories about the pot racks made in France. The company prides itself on this unique manufacturing process, as it creates housewares that are truly fit for a king.