There are two types of racks for drying fish; fiskehjell og fiskehesjer. Here you see fiskehjell, the flat level type of rack. On the other side of the bridge you can see a fiskehesje. Hesje, the high A-framed structure, is more area effective and gives greater opportunity to dry more fish per square meter. This was important for Henningsvær, with its limited area for drying racks.

When hanging the fish, it is important to have the back of the fish to the south, from where the prevailing winds and rain come. This is to avoid the vulnerable inside of the fish to be soaked and ruined in rainy weather. This method of drying the cod has been used since the Middle Ages and continues to be just as effective today.