The Real Reason Your Frying Pan Handle Has a Hole in It

The hole at the end of a frying pan or saucepan handle does let you hang the pan on a wall rack, but it has a second, arguably more useful job: it is a built-in spoon rest. Slot the handle of a wooden spoon into the hole and the spoon head hovers over the pot, so drips fall back into the food instead of onto the stovetop.

Isn't the hole just for hanging pans?

Hanging is one real function. Walk into a professional kitchen and you will see pots hanging from the ceiling, so it is natural to assume the hole exists strictly for wall racks. For years, I assumed exactly that. But there is another reason for that little hole, and it completely blew my mind when I finally learned about it.

How does a pan handle work as a spoon rest?

The hole is designed to hold your cooking utensils. Picture stirring a pot of marinara sauce or thick soup with a wooden spoon. When you need to set the spoon down, you either balance it on the edge of the pot (where it inevitably slides off and gets hot), or put it on the stovetop and leave a messy puddle of sauce to clean up later. A dedicated spoon rest is one more dish to wash.

Instead, take the handle of the wooden spoon and slot it directly into the hole at the end of the pan's handle.

The hole acts as a built-in, angled spoon rest. With the spoon handle inserted, the head of the spoon hovers over the pot. Any sauce, soup, or oil that drips off the spoon falls right back into the food you are cooking, saving your stovetop from a sticky mess.

What should you keep in mind when trying it?

A few quick tips before you run to the kitchen to try this out:

• It works best with wooden spoons: Many modern spatulas or metal utensils have handles that are either too thick to fit through the hole or too heavy, causing them to fall out. A classic, slim-handled wooden spoon is usually the best fit.
• Check the angle: Depending on the design of your pan's handle, the spoon might sit at a slightly different angle. Make sure the head of the spoon is securely hovering over the open pot and not resting against the hot metal side.
• Watch out for heat: If you are using a gas stove with a high flame, be careful that the handle of your spoon isn't resting too close to the heat source, especially if it's made of wood or plastic.

Is the trick worth trying?

Yes, the next time you're making dinner, give this little trick a try. It's one of those incredibly simple design features that has always been right there in front of us. It can spare you from wiping down the stovetop after every meal, and honestly, I think it makes cooking just a tiny bit more fun!