I’ve owned the same set of saucepans since 1988. Every one of them has a little round hole at the end of the handle, and I never once thought about it.
Then I watched a cooking show where the cook slid her wooden spoon right through it. Her counter stayed clean the whole time.
Why the Hole Is There
The main reason is hanging. The hole lets you hang pots and pans on a hook or a pot rack, which saves cupboard space and keeps your good pans from getting scratched in a stack.
The Second Trick: A Built-In Spoon Rest
While you’re cooking, slide the handle of your wooden spoon or spatula through the hole, so the spoon rests over the pot.
- No sauce drips on the counter.
- Any drips fall back into the pot.
- No extra spoon rest to wash.
It works best with long wooden spoons and spatulas whose handles fit through the hole.
A Few Tips
- Mind the heat. Metal handles get hot, so use a wooden spoon and an oven mitt.
- Turn the handle inward on the stove so nobody bumps it.
- Don’t use plastic utensils that could melt if they touch the pot’s rim.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my spoon doesn’t fit?
Thick handles won’t go through. A slim wooden spoon or spatula usually does.
Do skillets have the hole too?
Many do, for the same reasons.
Can I hang pans by the hole on a wall rail?
Yes. Use sturdy S-hooks rated for the weight of your heaviest pan.
Thirty-some years with those pans, and the answer was right there on the handle.
