How many times have you watched cooking shows and seen professional chefs at the stove with large metal pots and pans and the ever-present potholders to avoid getting burned with the handle. The reason?
In a professional kitchen where large portions of food are often being prepared at one time, large-sized cookware is often used. This kitchenware typically uses metal handles which are longer than usual. This change in design is made to mechanically support the larger dimensions of the cookware itself and also the bulk of weight of dishes being prepared.
It is therefore clear that in a professional kitchen metal is widely used with the consequent need for pot holder handle covers when cooking to avoid burns.
On the other hand, higher attention to the characteristics of the handle cannot be ignored in a domestic kitchen. In that context, which tends to be a more practical kitchen, users are often cooking quickly and have little time for food preparation. In fact, we are talking about everyday cooking. It is typical of a frenetic, fast-paced life with multiple commitments, work and children to manage; therefore, having products that guarantee practicality, ease of movement and safety is essential. In a domestic kitchen, it is therefore important to focus on the handiness, practicality, and functionality of the products. These also include the fact that the pot can be placed directly into the dishwasher and even more important it does not constantly need pot holder handle covers during cooking. Thus, among the factors that contribute to the ease of use of these products is undoubtedly the fact that the handle does not overheat.
Domestic kitchen cookware has three main solutions for fittings available to the end-user.
1. Thermoset Pot Handles
For reasons of practicality, safety, handiness and design most cookware for domestic purposes uses thermoset handles. Why? This kind of handle does not need pot holder
2. Silicone Pot Handles
Silicone handles represents a valid alternative since they provide a natural protection as if they had pot holder handle covers already incorporated into their design. Silicon handles allow for thermal insulation and a soft sensation in the grip. F.B.M. has a qualitative and distinctive silicon handles: the Soft Line.
3. Metal Handles
Finally, we have metal handles that have a much lower insulating property and can overheat very easily. Generally, when cooking with pots with metal handles, pot holder handle covers are needed. They are needed to prevent the hand from coming in contact with an overheated surface. This type of cookware is undoubtedly more uncomfortable to use in a daily domestic context because it has a higher risk for overheating and requires more attention and control on the part of the user.
In order to ensure safe home cooking and proper materials there is a specific standard. The European Regulation EN 12983-1, specifies the safety and performance requirements for cookware items intended for domestic use. It provides a specific test called Thermal Hazards that indicates the maximum temperature limits for fittings that must not exceed 55°C for metal and 70°C for plastic. However, if the temperature of the handle exceeds these limits, the manufacturer is obligated to indicate that the use of adequate protection is required to ensure safe handling of the cookware.
These temperatures are related to stove cooking, if you want to know more about options for oven cook handles you can read more here.
The method used to attach a handle to a pot or lid has a direct bearing on its thermal level reached. If handles have a wide metal brackets and have direct contact with metal, they may conduct heat more easily. In contrast, handles with ferrules (metal bands designed to strengthen joints) have a higher level of protection. They have a smaller point of direct contact with the metal from the pot or lid and are less exposed to overheating.
When you want the best in design, innovation, and, (of course), certified quality in cookware handles and pans, look no further than F.B.M. We have been in business for more than half a century, and during that time, we have been working with customers from various locations worldwide.
Our focus has been on providing high-quality products without ever sacrificing one ounce of creativity.
Contact us today if you have questions about any of our other products or to arrange a consultation.