I know we’ve all been there—you’re cooking something on the stove or you just pulled a pan from the oven, and you instinctively reach for the hot handle without thinking. A few seconds later, the heat reminds you that it was just simmering at high temperatures. We learn this lesson the hard way, but we keep making the same mistake.

Recently, I stumbled upon a wine cork hack that serves as a simple, effective reminder that your pot lid or handle is hot. This trick allows you to grab it without burning your fingers, and what’s more, it gives a second life to an otherwise discarded cork.

Los Angeles-based creator Sidney Raskind, known for his engaging content on TikTok and Instagram, shared this gem in his series "Things I Didn’t Know Until I Was in My 30s." Intrigued by the idea, I decided to test it out myself.

How to Use a Wine Cork as a Heat-Resistant Handle Extension

In his quick video, Sidney demonstrated how to position a wine cork between your hand and the hot handle of a pot or pan. This technique minimizes your chances of burns by providing a buffer.

On my own kitchen trial, I didn’t have the precise corks he used, but I experimented with a regular red wine cork and a cork from a sparkling Italian wine. I wanted to see how well they fit and whether they could help with heat insulation.

What I Discovered

Overall, the concept does have merit, but its effectiveness highly depends on the type of cork and the shape of your cookware. Some combinations felt secure and stable, but others were too loose to provide reliable protection.

The regular wine cork did not fit well at all, whereas the larger sparkling wine cork had a decent fit. However, while lifting the pan, it tilted, and I faced a slight burn from the escaping steam.

Tips for Using a Cork to Prevent Burns

1. Choose a Larger Cork: The wider the cork, the better. Corks from champagne bottles, which have a mushroom-like top, provide a more stable grip.

2. Opt for Shorter Handles: This hack works best on pots with handles that are closer to the pot itself. The shorter handles tend to hold the cork securely in place.

3. Test the Fit: Don’t wait until your pot is hot to try this out. Always ensure that the cork fits securely on a cool pot before using it.

4. Use with Caution: While the cork can serve as a visual indicator, don’t rely solely on it for heat protection. It’s wise to keep a kitchen towel nearby for added safety.

Final Thoughts

While this wine cork trick has a lot of creativity behind it, in practice it offers mixed results. It’s certainly worth trying if you love kitchen hacks and already have corks handy. Just remember to be cautious and keep other heat protection methods in reach.

For those curious about other useful culinary hacks, you might also enjoy this article on how to clean a dirty pan with a potato.