Lotus Rock QC #7 – Handle Resistance To Burning Test
As was explained in the previous blog post, the sharp, protruding edges of a gas stove require a high quality cooking utensil to have a tough, strongly constructed outer coating to withstand chipping and highly visible scratch marks. However, cooking on a gas stove also necessitates a high quality handle because often the flame from the gas stove can, in certain cases, reach up the side of the pan and come into contact with the handle. This would be especially the case for high heat cooking methods, such as stir frying, or making a delicious, crispy crepe (all of which a Lotus Rock pan is very suitable for doing).
The kitchenware industry commonly uses a test, from BS EN 12983-1 2023 cookware standard regulations, to assess how flammable the material of a handle is to a candle flame set underneath it. For a pass to be awarded no visible sign of molten or burning material should have melted or dripped off the handle, after it has been heated for 30 seconds. In addition, once extinguished the handle material should not spontaneously re-ignite.
BS EN 12983-1 2023 Handle Resistance To Burning Test Procedure
Resistance to burning
The underside of the handle or any insert or inlay there, consisting of organic material, shall not drip molten material or keep burning when tested according to Annex A. Any burning shall self extinguish within 15 s of the removal of the flame. once extinguished the handle material shall not spontaneously reignite. Each material shall be tested at its position.
The handle resistance to burning test procedure, according to BS EN 12983-1:2023, is as follows: Step 1=Attach cookware to the rigid base. Step 2 = Position the burner, alight with air hole closed, so that the tip of the flame just touches the underside of the end of the combustible part of the handle. By means of the gas flow adjust the flame height to 30mm +2mm. Ensure that the air hole is closed throughout the test. Step 3 Expose the handle to the flame for 30 s +1s, remove the flame and allow the handle to burn either until any flame self-extinguishes or for 15 s, whichever occurs first. observe whether any molten or burning material falls from the handle during this period. Step 4 Measure and record the length of time the handle continues to burn following the removal of the flame.
Evaluation
On 15th January 2025, in an Acton testing laboratory, the Lotus Rock bakelite Titlis handle passed the above resistance to burning test. This handle, along with many others designed and patented by Lotus Rock, is safe to use over a gas stove for numerous high heat cooking methods. Whether moving a crepe pan sideways to get the mixture spread around the pan for a delicious, crispy texture, or to quickly toss vegetables and thinly cut pieces of meat inside a stir wok, a Lotus Rock pan has the handles which are safe and non-flammable to do this.
