Many of these may have escaped your notice, but you'll be shocked by how handy these small, subtle designs really are.

The hole in a saucepan handle

While it's obvious use is to hang it up on a rack, there is another handy reason why most saucepans feature a hole at the end of the handle.

Next time you're stirring your tomato soup and need somewhere to place the mucky wooden spoon, use the hole to prop it up over the pan.

I mean, for the longest time, I figured the hole in a pot handle was just a convenient way to hang it from a wall hook or rack. You’ve had the same thought, right? But as it happens, that humble feature has a couple of hidden surprises up its sleeve that can actually make your time in the kitchen a whole lot easier.

Let’s discuss the actual purpose of the pot handle hole. Spoiler: it’s so much more than just for storage.

It’s Not Just for Hanging — But Most Begin There

Let’s get the obvious one out of the way first. Yes, the hole in the pot handle does indeed come in handy to help hang your pots from a wall hook or pot rack. It frees up space, helps organize things, and imparts that lovely “chef’s kitchen” feel if you dig that aesthetic.

But if you stop there, you’re not using it to its full potential. Because that hole? It’s the Swiss Army knife of your cookware.

Spoon Rest (Seriously So Genius)

This one was a game changer for me. That hole? It’s just the right size to cradle the head of your stirring spoon. Rather than drip sauce all over your counter or constantly search for a spoon rest (which I always forget to clean), you can simply slide the spoon into the hole in the pot handle so that the head of the spoon hovers above the pot — and boom, drips are returned to the pot where they belong.

And best of all, it’s immensely satisfying. You look like you have it all together when someone notices your spoon hanging out like that in your kitchen. My kids were very impressed. Just saying.

Superior Grip and Handling (Even with Baking Gloves)

How about attempting to carry a hot saucepan off the stove with oversized oven mitts or wet hands? Not the most elegant of experiences. That little hole is there in case you want something extra to hang onto for a little more control. This one was a surprise for me too!

Run your finger through it to give yourself extra leverage when tilting the pot to pour — or even to steady it when scraping out the final bits of sauce. It’s especially useful for heavier pans or those that become slippery with steam and condensation. And if you’ve ever struggled to balance the pot with one hand while scraping out contents with the other, you know that an extra point of grip can be very beneficial.

It Can Help You Weigh Ingredients (Yup, That’s Right)

All right, this blew my mind a bit. Some pot handle holes — especially in pasta pots — are designed to hold exactly one serving of spaghetti. Just slip a bunch of dry pasta through the hole until it fits snugly. That’s your portion. It’s not always precise to the gram, but it’s a good guideline and it’s pretty small if you’re trying not to be too carb-heavy. (Though let’s be real — is too much pasta even possible?)

Controlled Pouring of Liquids

Ever tried pouring soup or sauce out of a pot only to end up with half of it all over the stovetop? Same. You can actually use the pot handle hole to prevent making that mess.

It’s a little trick that goes something like this: Thread the handle of a long-handled implement (say, a wooden spoon) through the hole and drape it over the rim of the pot. It serves as a funnel to help channel the liquid and minimize the splatter.

It’s a small hack, but it makes a big difference when you’re dealing with liquids or large pots. Who knew you could pour anything with the help of that hole?!

The Kitchen as Multi-Tool Mentality

The whole thing got me wondering: how many more kitchen gadgets do double duty without our even knowing? It turns out — a lot. Like, you’ve definitely thought, “What the hell is up with that weird misshapen paddle lifty thing in the rice cooker?” It seems it’s not just for dipping. You can see the unexpected purpose of a rice cooker paddle here. Spoiler alert: it has something to do with science.

And that cheese grater, don’t get me started. You know that fourth side you never use? It’s not just a decor. Here’s what it does, actually. These gadgets contain a wealth of clever design elements, and when you see them, it’s as if a whole new world of kitchen magic opens up as you bear witness to what goes on behind the scenes, to all the secret, clever little devices at work.

More Underrated Uses (Because Why the Hell Not?)

The pot handle hole is even more versatile if you use your imagination:

Steam Vent Hook: I actually saw my mother-in-law do this – balancing a spoon through the hole to prop a pot lid open just a little bit to let off a little steam without removing the lid entirely. It’s about using what’s on hand and getting a little bit creative with it. And she’s a creative woman alright!

Drying Hooks: Thread one dish towel or small drying cloth through it when you’re low on towel hooks.

Tagging Pots: A cook’s string can be passed through the hole to tag one of their pots (mainly in restaurants).

Why They Don’t Want to Tell It to Manufacturers

Honestly? Because it’s such a small feature, the vast majority of cookware brands don’t even bother to call it out. It’s like an Easter egg. You just kind of find it when you’re cooking and suddenly realize, “Wait a minute…” And there’s no going back once you do.

Small Hole, Big Deal

So, yeah, sure, you may think that little pot handle hole is like some little minnow in the sea of cube-shaped holes, but trust me, it is not.

Try it in the kitchen the next time you’re there. Make your friends try it! Make everyone try it! Stick your spoon in, poke the hole, perhaps measure your spaghetti.

And while we’re on the subject of genius kitchen hacks, I’m pretty sure your kitchen contains many more sweet patents just waiting to be discovered. The right cool tools can end up working with you and never against you because hey — when your tools want to play nice, cooking is really much more fun.