Cookware handles are one of the major parts of a set of cookware. These parts help carry the heat away from the cook when the pot or pan is heated. The handle on a pan can come in a wide variety of materials and shapes and each of these handles will have a specific use. Some of the more common types of handles include the following:
Stoneware: This is perhaps the most common type of cookware handles and the most common material used to make them. When the handle is in contact with a hot surface, such as on the stove top, the heat conductor becomes coated with your hands. This creates a conductive heat connection that causes the cookware to generate heat faster than it would without the extra heat conductor. Most stainless steel pans and pots are made with this material.
Glass: This type of handle is most often used on glassware to create a more elegant design. The heat is emitted by the handle through a hole in the side of the pan. This method of handling the heat also makes it harder to clean up the glassware. If you have a pot that is on the stove and the flame is getting near the glass, you can put a lid over the pot to keep the flame from coming into contact with the glass. Now all that needs to be done is to take off the handle on the pot and clean it up. A real chore, but one that is worth the effort.
Ceramic: This type of handle is ideal for the oven or stove. It has a smooth surface that absorbs heat very well. Some people prefer to use these handles for their pots and pans. These handles come in a variety of shapes and colors. You can find them in the standard handle shape or you can choose from the many decorative handles available.
Ceramic: These types of cookware are used in the stove and the oven. They come in a range of colors and materials and come with either a removable handle or a non-removable handle. You can also purchase them as inserts into other pieces of cookware.
Non-removable handles are made of a hard material and are not as common as the removable handles. However, if you have a particularly nice set of non-removable handles, it may well be worth paying more for them. You’ll also find some nice sets of cookware with no handles at all.