Handle covers, oven cloths and a leather glove – handling hot pans safely
Time: about 5 min
Carbon steel conducts heat efficiently and cast iron holds it for a long time – that is why they cook so nicely. It also means the handles get hot. Here is how to pick the right protection at the hob, oven and fire.
Short answer
Expect the handles and lids of carbon steel pans, griddles and cast iron pots to get hot, and the pizza steel to get hot all over. Slip a handle cover onto the handle when cooking on the hob, use oven cloths or oven gloves for anything coming out of the oven, and wear a leather grill glove at the barbecue and over an open fire. Keep everything dry – damp fabric lets heat through quickly.
What you need
- Handle cover 5x19 (HSKY519-071)
- Handle cover 8 cm, set of 2 (HSKY8N-071)
- Leather grill glove (GRH-070)
- Dry oven cloths or oven gloves
- Trivet
How to do it
- Expect hot handlesCarbon steel conducts heat efficiently, so the handles of the frying pan and griddle get hot while you cook. The handles and lid of the cast iron pot get hot too, both on the hob and in the oven.
- Put the handle cover on in advanceSlip the handle cover on before the pan heats up, so you have a safe grip when you need to move it. Kockums makes handle covers in several sizes – choose one that fits the handle.
- Two covers for two handlesGriddles and pots with two handles are safest lifted with both hands. The 8 cm handle cover comes as a set of two, so both sides can be protected.
- Oven cloths for anything from the ovenIn the oven the whole pan gets hot, stainless steel handles included. Use dry oven cloths or gloves when taking out frying pans, oven dishes, the cast iron pot and the pizza steel.
- The leather glove at the grill and fireAt the barbecue and over an open fire, the heat surrounds the whole pan. The leather grill glove gives you a protected grip when moving the griddle or pan over the fire.
- Keep your protection dryDamp or wet protection conducts heat much faster than dry. Never lift anything hot with a wet oven cloth or glove.
- Put the pan down safelySet hot pans on a trivet or a switched-off ring and turn the handle inwards, away from the edge of the worktop. Let it cool before washing up.
Common mistakes
- Assuming a stainless steel handle stays cool in the oven – it gets very hot.
- Lifting with a damp oven cloth, which lets the heat through.
- Lifting a hot griddle or pizza steel with only one hand.
- Leaving the oven cloth on the hob near a lit ring or flame.
Why the handles get hot
Carbon steel conducts heat efficiently and cast iron holds it for a long time – the very qualities that give an even, hot cooking surface. The heat does not stay in the base but spreads into handles and lids. Protection between your hand and the metal lets you move the pan calmly rather than in a hurry.
FAQ
Does the frying pan handle get hot on the hob?
Yes, it can, and the griddle handles get hot during use. Use an oven cloth or a handle cover.
Is the knob on the cast iron pot lid ovenproof?
Yes, the lid knob is ovenproof and withstands up to 250 °C. It gets hot, so use oven cloths when lifting the lid.
What protection works best at the barbecue?
A leather grill glove is handy when handling a griddle, frying pan or pizza steel on the barbecue and over an open fire.
Why lift a griddle with two hands?
A carbon steel griddle is both heavy and hot. With one hand and one cover on each handle, you stay in control all the way to the trivet.
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