Cookware is one of the most needed equipment in nearly every house that requires daily cooking. And there are many types of cookware that most people already know how to choose and tell each one’s pros and cons. but please don’t forget that there’re also different types of the handle. And it’s one of the most important things that help you pick a nice pan. It can help you deal with everyday cooking and create a pleasant, comfortable cooking experience. It is the first thing when interacting with a pan so that good handles can ensure cooking safety.

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If you are looking for a suitable handle that can bring a long-term use time, this blog will show you different cookware handles and their pros&cons.

 

Metal handle.

 

Metal handles might be the most welcomed handle in people’s kitchens. They are mostly made of iron, stainless steel, or carbon steel, making them strong and sturdy, with well-functionalized durability to support them to endure high temperatures. It conducts heat faster than other materials, allowing you to use the pan in the oven without any transformation or even burnt things. You can use it in a dishwasher without worrying about scraping it. 

Despite it having all the good benefits, every coin has two sides. Because there’s one thing you don’t appreciate is that the metal handle could easily get hot while cooking, the handle won’t be friendly to you if you are trying to lift the pan with your bare hands, you may even need to use the oven mitts or a wet cloth to help you hold the handle, that doesn’t sound good, right? Especially if it’s a large frying pan or sauté pan you are using, or you cooked a whole lot of chicken soup in a casserole or stockpot, it could only worsen.

But still, it’s a good material to use, and you only need to read the pan’s description carefully to know what material it is. If you do some research, you’ll know that stainless steel handle is better than others.

 

                           Carbon Steel————By Spruceeats frypan review

 

                                   Stainless Steel handle

 

                           Cast iron handle 

 

Plastic handle.

 

It may be the cheapest handle and is mainly equipped with a pan. It has a nice stay-cool function that allows you to use the pan while cooking easily.

You must keep it far away from high heat or even naked flame. Because they are plastics and not durable as metal handles which could easily make them melt and release harmful fumes. So it’s a no-no to the oven and dishwasher. 

But not every plastic handles are bad, it also depends on what material it is. If you want to choose a pan with a plastic handle, read the product description thoroughly and check other buyers’ reviews. Those will help you to decide, and if you did buy a one, make sure you keep it far away from high heat.

 

Bakelite handle.

 

A hard, infusible, and chemically resistant plastic, Bakelite was based on a chemical combination of phenol and formaldehyde (phenol-formaldehyde resin), two compounds derived from coal tar and wood alcohol (methanol).

Now it sounds like plastic right? Well, let’s see the differences between these two.

 

Bakelite:

It is a thermosetting plastic material that does not conduct electricity. Therefore, it can be used in insulating materials. Bakelite is resistant to heat and chemical actions, and it is non-flammable. The dielectric constant of Bakelite ranges from 4.4 to 5.4. This is more versatile than other plastics.

In addition, Bakelite is the first synthetic plastic and is known as a “material of thousand uses” due to its versatile applications.it is mainly used in cookware handles, parts of electric irons, electrical plugs and switches, jewelry, pipe stems, children’s toys, and firearms.

 

Plastic:

All the plastic materials are organic polymers with a repeating unit called a monomer. The ability to mold and shape easily into desired shapes is the general property of plastics.

There are so many varieties of plastic materials with unique properties and applications,it has replaced traditional materials such as wood, glass, ceramics.

 

                           Bakelite Chemical Structure

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                   Some Plastic's Chemical Structure

 

 

Bakelite is the first synthetic plastic and is known as a “material of thousand uses” due to its versatile applications.It can withstand temperatures safe up to 350° Fahrenheit as it’s a thermosetting plastic and doesn’t allow heat through it easily.

Bakelite is the first synthetic plastic and is known as a “material of thousand uses” due to its versatile applications.It can withstand temperatures safe up to 350° Fahrenheit as it’s a thermosetting plastic and doesn’t allow heat through it easily.

 

And the key difference between Bakelite and plastic is, Bakelite is the first synthetically produced thermosetting plastic with heat resistant and non-conductivity of electricity.   

And the key difference between Bakelite and plastic is, Bakelite is the first synthetically produced thermosetting plastic with heat resistant and non-conductivity of electricity.

 

 

 

 

Every handle has its advantages and disadvantages. It depends on what you are going to do with the pan itself. High-quality handles can help you with basic cooking needs and keep you safe from high heat. It’s the essence of a pan, and you can judge the pan’s quality by its handle.

Stay safe at home and enjoy cooking~

 

 

Sources:

https://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-bakelite-and-vs-plastic/

https://www.britannica.com/science/Bakelite

I recently purchased two serving fork & knife sets. The online auction listing states that the handles are Bakelite. I know not to just take that for granted.

One set has a cream/yellow handle, and I’m still trying to figure out the hallmarks on the metal part. They are at least silver plate, but the markings might mean that they are sterling. Either way, I think that they are pretty old. The handles on the other set are more orange. and the metal parts are stainless steel.

So, I don’t just ask this without doing my homework. Here is an article on how to determine if something is Bakelite:
https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/ways-to-identify-bakelite-148495

It lists six steps. Here is what I found:

1. Testing by sound: Yes, they clunk when I tap them together. I tapped two modern plastic pieces together, and the sound was a lower pitch. Both of the serving sets had a higher pitch.

2. Testing by Feel: Sure, they both feel heavier than modern plastic, but these sets are part metal. Not conclusive.

3. Testing by Smell: I ran both under hot water from the tap. I think I can vaguely smell something, but it’s not overpowering. Just rubbing them with my hands to warm them up does not do anything.

4. Testing by Sight – Using Simichrome Polish: I don’t have simichrome polish. I could go out and buy some if that is the only way. The article says that a lacquered piece will fail this test.

5. Testing by Sight – Using Formula 409 Cleaner: I tested with 409. The results are in the photos above. They did not turn the swab yellow. Maybe slightly for the orange set. Again, the article says that a lacquered piece will fail this test.

6. Testing by Sight – Inspect the Piece Closely: Yes, they both have a patina especially the lighter ones. There are scratches and darkening in the color. There are no mold seams, although the orange handles change in color at bottom edge creating a line between the sides and the bottom.

Either way, I don’t think these are a modern plastic, but I’m not sure that they are Bakelite. Any help is appreciated.

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