Hello I have seen two different kinds of salt racks, one being a piece of formica? (counter top u know)on a slant with several capes salted an stacked on top of each other. This insures that salt is definitely on the skins and is space efficient, but has obvious lack of air flow (but seemed to work ok). Then there is the chicken wire or milk crate methods with lots of air flow, but you would loose 3/4 of salt on the bottom side of cape and it would take up more room. I ask because I have seen two big taxi studios that use the counter top style method, but the chicken wire I think would be better? Basically I am asking solid surface or wire mesh type salt rack in your opinion? If you have any thoughts I would be greatful. Thanks
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Seams like it would dry quicker but I've never used a solid surface, maybe there's some reasoning behind that.
I use a slanted hard counter initially, but I lay a good 1/2 inch thick bed of slat on it first, then I lay the cape on it, and then cover the exposed side After two saltings I go to a wood strecher and air dry.
DaveT
Mesh is best - it allows good air circulation and this promotes rapid drying. Yes - you can use a slanted piece of plywood, proped up on one side - but using something where you circulate the air works better.
I have used the plastic milk cartons in my shop. I keep them stacked about 6 high in a corner. When I need them, I first put down a plastic tarp then use them to make as big an area as I want. I also use this method for thawing frozen stuff too!
One good idea for drying or thawing is to get a plastic pallet. They work very good for salting or thawing.
For building a large slanted Salt Rack - I'd use plastic coated mesh for it. I've seen chicken wire used, but the Salt eats it up and it has to be replaced much more frequently than when you use the plastic covered type.
Was to take a sheet of that shower liner, looks like paneling, but it is solid plastic or fiberglass all the way through. cut it into 4 sections, each 2" x 4". Then I made frames out of some scrap 1" x 2" and attached the shower liner to the bottom of the frames with shower adhesive and nails.
I got a hole saw and made a hole in each panel on one end and in the middle.
I then caulked all around the inside edge of the frame.
I then took the plastic lattice that you use under porches or for making arbors and attached it to the top of the frame. ( word of advice, don't attach it permanently or just use a couple screws )
I attached two hinges to the back of each frame and put a 2 x 4 block on the wall for the other half of the hinges, to bring it out from the wall a bit set at about a three inch drop from one block to the other. I fastened the frames to the wall and made short legs on the front to help support the weight. I put a big metal hook in the wall about three feet above the last rack. I used plastic clothes line wire on each rack, swung them up, one at a time and made a loop on the end to hang on the hook. Kinda hard to picture but it works really good. Just put a bucket under the holes and empty it as needed. If you want pictures, I can send them.
Your opinions are greatly appreciated and very helpful, thanks for your time.