I tried to find some really thin stainless wire at home depot and lowes, but they did not have anything small enough. They were out of one type, but the tag on the shelf did not say what size it was. I would like to try a wire bail handle. The only draw back is that it would not stay up in some cases. The handle on this pot did not get hot when I boiled 16 oz water over an alch stove, but I do not want zinc exposure. I may just have to live with it. I am considering not using a pot stand anyway- in which case the pot would be held with a stick through the handle and the wire would work better. Who knows. Maybe a bear will get me before the zinc does.