The reason for long-handled pots years ago / myLot

Rockingham, Australia

October 18, 2025 5:14am CST

While in the Westonia Museum, I saw some saucepans with very long handles like the one in the left-hand image. I was wondering why the handles were so long but after seeing the open cooking range at Mangowine Homestead, I understood the reason. It would take a lot of heat for a pot to come to the boil over an open fire like that in the other image. If the handle wasn’t long, you’d have great trouble getting a saucepan away from the heat.

11 people like this

11 responses

Anna

@LadyDuck (485186)

• Italy

11h

I am sure that this is exactly the reason why they had very long handles.

1 person likes this

Judy Evans

@JudyEv (364274)

• Rockingham, Australia

It's very logical once you think of it.

1 person likes this

Anna

@LadyDuck (485186)

• Italy

@JudyEv - Yes it is, particularly if you needed to use them on a fireplace.

Xavier Bage

@franxav (14280)

• India

10h

That's exactly the reason. In fact, we still use long handled saucepans, though not that long. I prepare my first morning cup of tea in a long handled saucepan.

1 person likes this

Judy Evans

@JudyEv (364274)

• Rockingham, Australia

What with gas burners and electric hotplates such long handles aren't really necessary nowadays. I can understand the reason for them now.