Are screwed on pot handles an indication of quality?
Is the use of screwed on handles any indication of the quality of a pot?
What determines the choice of screws versus rivets or welds?
Best Answer
Briefly, no. Screwed on handles usually are found on cheaper cookware, but it doesn't necessarily mean the pan overall is of poor quality.
There used to be a contention that riveted handles were the strongest and an indicator of quality cookware. Also, welding and various screw attachments (which frequently also contained welds) used to fail more frequently.
But in cookware that's manufactured now, it's really a design choice. Some people like the traditional look of rivets, while others find them annoying to clean. And many cheap manufacturers now use cheap steels for rivets, meaning in some cases they're just as likely (if not more likely) to fail as other constructions.
Screwed on handles are generally used on cheaper, lower-quality pans, but not exclusively. They can take a number of different forms, sometimes screwing onto a base that is welded to the pan (and thus creating more points of failure), sometimes screwed onto a base that sticks out but is manufactured from a single piece of metal with the pan, and occasionally screwing directly into the side of a pan. The biggest problem with screwed on handles is that they're generally more vulnerable to coming loose. On the other hand, when they do come loose, they can often be more easily tightened and thus repaired than welds or rivets (which would generally need to be sent out for a specialist repair). Also, on cheaper pans, the handle materials tend to be cheaper too and may crack and warp over time, so a screw attachment can make it much easier to simply buy and install a replacement handle yourself.
The key is just being conscious of screwed on handles and tightening them if they ever start to wobble even a bit. (You do not want a pan or pot handle to ever come off unexpectedly while moving boiling hot food around.)
Unless you're talking about unusual pans (particularly very heavy pans, like thick copper) or unless you tend to fling your pans around with a lot of force (like if you love to do the "saute toss" repeatedly every day with a fully-loaded skillet), most methods for attaching handles can function fine.
Pictures about "Are screwed on pot handles an indication of quality?"
Why do saucepan handles have holes?
The hole in a pot or pan handle has a purpose \u2014 two, in fact. While it's commonly used to hang pots or pans from the wall, it can also be used to hold the utensil you're cooking with.How are handles attached to pots?
Rivets and welds are by far the most popular choices for fastening handles onto lids and cookware. Screw and body-extension handles are other common ways of affixing handles to cookware. I would recommend welded handles whenever it's within your budget.What makes a good saucepan?
A saucepan should be made of thick high-quality stainless steel and have a heavy bottom that ensures even heating. This is important especially for making delicate egg-based custards but also comes in handy for everyday cooking tasks like making oatmeal and rice.Which substances make the best pot handles?
Metals like cast iron, aluminum, and stainless steel have high heat conductivity. That is why handles are covered with cooling materials (like plastic) to prevent your hands from scalding or burning.The Pot Handle Is Loose
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Images: SHVETS production, Georgi Petrov, Alexey Demidov, Валерий Линк