Have you ever mistakenly grabbed the handle of a pot or pan, forgetting that it was still scalding hot from the stove? We’ve been there, too (more than once, in fact). And while we don’t necessarily condone absentminded cooking, we also know that it’s way too easy to get distracted when you’re in the thick of the cooking process.
That’s where the Stay Cool Handle comes in: this specially designed, proprietary handle comes with our Stainless Clad and Non Stick Frying Pans, Saucepans, Sauciers, and Saute Pans, helping to mitigate the risk of burnt hands—and make your cooking experience more worry-free overall. Here’s how it works.
What Is a Stay Cool Handle?
Our Stainless Clad construction does a stellar job of conducting heat, which makes it one of our top picks for searing and other high-heat cooking methods. Unfortunately, this applies to the handle, as well, which can absorb a lot of that heat. That’s why we designed the Stay Cool Handle with a hollow core, which helps to dissipate that heat away from the handle and keep it concentrated in the pan itself.
The Stay Cool Handle doesn’t just reduce the risk of burns, however: it also makes the pan itself easier and more comfortable to maneuver, which makes a huge difference when sautéing food or tipping the pan to baste a piece of seared protein. Since cladded stainless steel (what makes up the base of both our Stainless Clad and Non Stick collections) weighs more than stainless steel on its own, the handle’s hollow design helps to offset the overall weight of the pan, preventing sore wrists and cramped hands.
Benefits of the Stay Cool Handle
In addition to being attached to our Award-Winning lineup of cookware, here are a few more reasons we love our Stay Cool Handle.
Enhanced Maneuverability
The Stay Cool Handle’s hollow design keeps it lightweight, making it easier to flip, toss, and move your pan from stovetop to oven.
Comfortable Cooking Experience
The lightweight, ergonomically designed handle also cuts down on hand and wrist fatigue—a must-have feature for our restaurant customers using their pans for hours at a time during dinner service.
Safety in Use
Accidents happen, but serious burns shouldn’t be one of them. The Stay Cool Handle makes for fewer injuries, and an overall safer cooking experience.
The Importance of Handle Design in Cookware
Just like with a pair of running shoes, you should never have to choose between performance and comfort when it comes to cookware. Here’s what to look for to ensure a safe, balanced, and comfortable cooking experience.
Weight Distribution
Similar to a chef knife, your cookware shouldn’t be overly handle-heavy. Rather, the handle should contribute to a pot or pan feeling stable and balanced in the hand, without the risk of tipping or dropping a pan full of hot food.
Comfort and Ergonomics
A clunky or heavy handle can make for an awkward or clumsy cooking experience—underlying the importance of making sure your pan has a decent grip before you buy it.
Safety Considerations
Along with preventing spills, your pan can also keep you safe by circulating the heat away from the handle and towards the food itself. Be sure to note that the heat is circulated off the pan while on the stove—not even our Stay Cool Handle can keep it totally cool when in the oven. Be safe when handling pans out of the oven and use an oven mitt or trivet to protect your hands.
Comparisons with Other Handle Types
You may wonder if this kind of handle really matters—so here’s how it stacks up against traditional, non-hollow handles and other market alternatives.
Traditional Handles
Traditional, non-hollow handles—especially stainless steel ones—can get scalding-hot in minutes, as well as add unnecessary weight to the pan. Not so with the lightweight, hollow Stay Cool Handle.
Market Alternatives
Other cookware brands make their handles out of plastic or other non-oven safe materials to help them stay cool, making them less versatile and durable. In contrast, our Stainless Clad pans are oven-safe up to 800F, handle and all, while our Non Stick pans are oven-safe up to 500F.
Ready to Shop?
Safety, comfort, and convenience are just as important to the cooking experience as the food itself. Our Stay Cool Handle balances all of these things, giving you one less thing to worry about—and allowing you to focus on the stuff that matters (like the perfect yolks on your sunny side eggs).
