What shape handle would you go for on pans/pots? 26 February 2022 at 6:02PM in Old style MoneySaving 7 replies 172 views

Sandtree

We're looking for some new pans and have short listed two that are very similar other than the shape of the handle. Both receive very positive online reviews other than the handles which both attract praise and criticisms.

First is a hollow round handle which the nay sayers say is too round and can result in the pan tilting when picking it up as it rotates in the hand

Second is a solid flat handle and the critics say the edges can dig in and be uncomfortable, particularly when the pan is heavy.

Which do you prefer? (sorry, this is the closest to a cooking section we have)

Brie

something vaguely square shaped to fit the hand comfortably.  failing that I'd get the flat ones as safer.

JIL

My very favourite pans are my cheap ikea ones, there is a steamer attachment that can be bought separately. They take up little room in the pan drawer and they have looped handles. Heres the large one, I have the next two sizes down.

-taff

I don't buy sets of pans, I but ones that I like and will use. Most of them have two handles, especially the large frying pan shaped ish ones, just imagine a shallow straight edged pan, I have two different sizes of these and they are soft touch double handles. The only saucepans I have with one handle are the actual frying pans which are kind of square and kind of round, and the two small pans with a roundish handle.

Sandtree

I have to say the "round" ones look like a rounded triangle in photos but haven't seen them in the flesh;  some seem to say they rotate in their hands. I used to have some with an oval handle and only the widest pans did I have an issue.

The flat ones I've seen in the flesh and can imagine how when loaded it could be uncomfortable. The sales person suggested getting the silicon grip covers sold for cast iron pans but not for heat protection but comfort which was slightly worrying.

There seems to be a proliferation of pans with looped handles at the moment @JIL but not sure I am there yet, in my head they will get hot and always seen my life/home ending by setting fire to a tea towel when using one on a gas stove.

I suspect I won't buy a set either @-taff because they rarely are made up of a useful combination even if the discount can make the decision more difficult (do I really prefer another 18cm pan rather than the 20cm one in the set). We will always have specialist items but would prefer the core items to be broadly matching. 

Floss

I would go for either oval handles like these (John Lewis, which I had in the marital home)


Or flat with silicon grips like these (Sainsburys, which I have) 


I would recommend you buy at least one sleeve for the handles, after taking my ex to A&E with severe burns to his palm & fingers after he grasped a very hot pan he'd just taken out of the oven when cooking duck.

Le Crueset sell silicon grips for looped handle pans:
https://www.lecreuset.co.uk/en_GB/p/set-of-2-handle-grips/SI4281300.html

Sky_

I have the John Lewis pans pictured above, with comfortable (hollow) oval handles.  I bought them as a set of 4 around 30 years ago and they are still in great, functional condition after pretty much daily use.  (The hollow handles only get hot if they're directly over heat or are in an oven.)  

joedenise

I prefer the handleless saucepans where you just clip on a handle when you want to lift the pans, the main reason being they store much better in a drawer/cupboard.  I use felt "flowers" between the pans to stop them scratching each other as they are non stick.