After sanitation (always begin with washing hands!) and knife handling, one of the first things I taught my son about kitchen safety was how to avoid burns. When we’re cooking with two or more pots and pans on the stovetop, things can get hectic and accidents are more likely to happen. One simple adjustment can make a world of difference—it’s something even pro chefs can slip up on when multitasking in a busy kitchen.
How Pan Handle Placement Can Cause Accidents
It’s easy to fill a pan with water and set it on the stovetop to boil, leaving the handle turned inward toward the center of the stove or, worse, outward toward you and hanging over the front edge of the stove. Both of these scenarios pose serious danger. Especially when another pot or pan is placed onto a neighboring burner.
This is high-school cooking class 101: Always ensure your pot and pan handles are facing outward or away from the center of the stovetop and back or away from where you’re standing in front of the stove. When handles are facing you and sticking out over the edge of the stove, it’s easy to accidentally bump them and flip a boiling pot of water or scalding food onto yourself.
Pointing handles to the back or the side drastically reduces the chance of accidents. This also prevents handles from heating up after resting too close to another burner that’s on. Gas stoves add another dangerous element where flames from burners can accidentally heat up an inwardly placed wooden or metal handle and cause burns when touched.
Important Pan Handle Safety Practices
- Handle orientation: Pot and pan handles should point toward the back of the cooktop, not sticking out over the front.
- No overlapping: Don’t position handles over another burner, as they can get hot, catch fire, or be touched and cause burns.
- Clear space: Keep the area around the stove free of clutter. This technique frees up space and reduces the chance of knocking over hot contents.
- Keep kids and pets away: Keep children and pets at a safe distance from the stove while cooking.
- Avoid snags: Try not to wear loose hanging clothing while cooking and keep kitchen towels away from pan handles and hot burners.
These simple habits greatly lower the chance of accidents, burns, and spills, making the kitchen safer for everyone.