I will give the same suggestion I gave to an elderly friend - increase your weight training and develop more upper-body strength. My friend said she had to waste money buying 1/2-gallon jugs of milk instead of a gallon because she could no longer easily lift a gallon anymore. I suggested she fill two gallon jugs with water and do some simple curls with them EVERY day for several repetitions in order to maintain her muscle mass - a mini weight-lifting workout. I suggest she start out with them 1/2 full and increase the water in them when she felt she was stronger. She did just that. Eventually she was able to do a press with them over her head. After a few weeks she was back to buying milk in a gallon jug.

Build those muscles by doing some weight-lifting/resistance exercises. Get advise from your physician if you need to first. There are sooooooo many benefits, especially as we get older. As Winston Churchill said, "Never give up."

You can also ladle the liquid out of the "candy pot".....

-Grainlady

Look for a lighter pot with a helper handle. This 3 1/2 quart Cuisinart has a large helper loop handle, and is 4 lbs. It also comes in 5 1/2 quart.

Anodized aluminum is also lighter.

Lighter pot with 2 handles isn't applicable? Giving more specific parameters would have helped shape the answers you (apparently) fruitlessly sought out.

Good luck and stay safe with that hot candy.

mimipadv, sorry, I meant more exercise is not applicable for me. You are right, a lighter pot is a must.... thank you. Two handles sound really helpful even though I need an extra hand to scrape the pot. But perhaps I can do it when most of the pot is empty. Not a thought of giving up my sweet tooth. lol

I have a few small saucepans that work for me the once a year i make caramel.

One has a long handle and a loop handle on the other side. Still gets tricky having only a few seconds to pour so i understand.

Smaller batches and taller pot might be needed. Taller is much easier to pour as not much lifting off the stove is needed.

I make peanut brittle in a tri-ply large saucepan or small dutch oven -- at least a 3 or better a 4 qt pot. and I have used both single and double handles. The single is easier for holding with one hand and scraping out with the other, but you can use two handles and pour out most of the hot candy and then use one hand to scrape. You may wind up with a little on the handles or side of the pot, but it soaks right off just like anything left inside the pot. I have All-Clad as well as Cuisinart tri-ply, and most of my pieces were bought at Home Goods or TJ Maxx at deep discounts.

Another thing you could consider would be making smaller batches. If you cut your recipe in half, you could use a smaller and lighter pot as well have less weight in it. And for peanut brittle in particular, it seems like most people who make it use the microwave now. I don't, but in your situation, I might give that a try -- smaller amount in a glass bowl or large measuring cup. I don't know if you could adapt other recipes as easily.

Hubby is the peanut brittle maker in the family and he uses a 2-quart Pyrex bowl or 2-quart Pyrex measuring cup (the glass measuring cup weighs more than the bowl but it has a handle that makes it user-friendly) and uses a recipe for the microwave - an option mentioned by lascatx above. He likes to make peanut brittle "pucks" in small portions he gives to his friends, so he ladles the molten mixture onto a Silpat (silicone mat). The brittle doesn't stick to the mat and each "puck" simply peel off when cool. In fact, many candy recipes have microwave versions, which might make it easier to retire your heavy candy pot rather than replace it.

Sorry you didn't like my suggestion to get stronger. FYI: Elderly Strength Training - http://eldergym.com/elderly-strength.html  My friend was an arthritic 87-year old when I suggested strength training for her. From your post I had NO idea what your age was, nor your physical condition. I'm 63 and have suffered with arthritis for 50-years, so I'm familiar with it's effects since I've dealt with it since I was 13-years old.

-Grainlady

A smaller pot is certainly one idea, but would not help at holiday time when I am making many candies for gifts. A pot with two handles is another good idea if the pot is large enough - more than a quart. Don't know about results with a microwave as we don't use one. This is a fun search for me with helpful ideas from you. Thank you.

PWM, I suggest you borrow Bud to scrape the pan, and he'd happily help you "clean up" the spoons and pan of all residue too!

Barring a strong young grandchild with a sweet tooth who loves to be in the kitchen when candy-making is going on, I agree with prior posts about stainless steel pans with helper handles. The candy can be mostly poured out using both hands, and then it's much lighter for scraping out the last bit.

That's what I do with fudge, my carpal tunnel issues make it painful to lift and pour batches of hot candy in a pan with a single handle. Thankfully Bud and the Princess are always happy to help me cook, especially candy, so I often have a pan scraper readily available. When I don't I use that stainless pan with the helper handle. I've also taken Grandma's advice and put the lid to an old wood stove burner on my gas stove racks. It distributes the heat more evenly and keeps the candy from scorching, and I don't have to remove it from my stove top until it's cool so I'm not juggling a hot piece of cast iron. Only necessary on gas stoves, of course. :-)

Annie

Thanks to everyone who helped. Will search now for a SS pan with 2 handles and the size that is most useful for me.

annie1992: When is Bud free to come help me? I love grandchildren and have 6 greats.

Never say "too old"...My mother in law was not 90+...just nearly 90 when she moved into assisted living and a supervised 3 times a week physical therapy program. I saw how in about 3 months her frozen shoulder un-froze her strength and stamina in creased amazingly, her arthritic knees became much less painful, but alas it did nothing for her mind.

PWM, just tell him there will be candy and he will be available immediately, LOL. Don't tell your grandkids or great grandkids, though, or they'll all come to help you scrape that pan!

Annie