Many kitchens struggle with limited cabinet space, especially for bulky items like frying pans and stockpots. Using the hole to hang your cookware on hooks or a pegboard frees up space and keeps your kitchen more organized. Plus, hanging pots and pans allows them to dry better, reducing the risk of trapped moisture and rust.
Whether you opt for a rustic wall-mounted rack, an overhead hanging bar, or a modern magnetic strip with hooks, using the handle hole for storage is a smart, aesthetic, and practical choice.
3. Controlled Pouring: A DIY Spout Hack
Ever tried to pour soup or sauce from a pot and ended up with more on the counter than in the bowl? We’ve all been there.
Here’s a clever workaround: insert a wooden spoon or long utensil into the handle hole and hold it firmly against the pot while you pour. The utensil acts like a guide or spout, helping to direct the flow of liquid and giving you more control over the pour.
This is especially useful for liquids with thicker textures, like stews, chowders, or homemade gravy. It’s also a neat trick for when you’re portioning food into meal prep containers or transferring liquids into narrow jars.
4. A Rough Measuring Guide (Surprise!)
It’s not an exact science, but the hole in a pot handle can occasionally serve as a makeshift measuring tool.
The size of the hole varies from pot to pot, but some are close to the size of:
A standard serving of uncooked spaghetti
A teaspoon to tablespoon quantity of dry goods
For example, certain pasta pots are designed with a handle hole just large enough to measure one serving of spaghetti — simply gather the noodles, insert them through the hole, and voilà: portion control without a measuring cup.
While you wouldn’t use this for precision baking, it’s a handy visual reference when cooking on the fly.
5. Improved Grip and Safety When Handling
Have you ever tried to lift a heavy, hot pot while wearing thick oven mitts or using a towel? It’s awkward — and potentially dangerous.
The handle hole offers a unique grip point for your fingers, giving you extra leverage and stability. By inserting a finger or thumb through the hole (with care), you gain more control, especially when:
Stirring a thick sauce
Carrying a full pot of soup
Draining pasta over the sink
It’s a simple but effective grip enhancement that makes your cookware safer to use — especially when it’s hot, heavy, or both.
