Stop Tossing Old Frying Pans: Turn Them Into Unique Pendant Lights

Many frying pans have a limited life span. Once nonstick pans start getting scratched, sticky, and damaged, they really shouldn't be used for cooking anymore, because that's pretty unhealthy. But don't throw out old pans without trying a fun and creative DIY to create unique pendant lights.

This specific DIY comes from YouTube creator Mr. Amazing Works, though you can adapt it in many ways. He used a rotary wire brush to remove all of the gunk that accumulated on an old pan. Then, the creator used a drill to add a hole in the center, fed a light bulb socket through it, and covered it in paint. The result? A unique pendant light made of an old pan. For this DIY, look for pans that are curved on the bottom, like a wok or stir frying pan. Look for models that don't have handles or with handles that can be unscrewed (avoid those that come in a single piece, like a cast iron). And if the pan you're using is only minimally damaged or just slightly covered in rust and grime, you could probably get away with using a bit of sandpaper instead of the rotary wire brush.

This isn't the prettiest lamp shade you'll ever see, but it's a clever way to turn what would otherwise be trash into something fun. So, if you're wondering how to dispose of old pots and pans, this is a clever solution that would look great in a garage, shed, or craft room. It's also something you could use outside — for example, on a covered patio or deck. 

To turn an old pan into a modern metal lampshade, start by unscrewing the pan's handle from the body. When that's done, clean and soften the pan using sandpaper or the rotary wire brush, depending on how dirty it is. During this step, make sure to wear a protective respirator and goggles to avoid inhaling toxic residue. This step doesn't need to be perfect, since you'll be covering the pan with paint. Next, make a hole at the center of the pan that's big enough for your light bulb socket. 

To decorate the pan, spray paint is easiest, but you can also use liquid paint and a brush. A simple approach would be to cover the outside of the pan in black or a dark color, and the inside in white to reflect the light. You can totally change it: Cover the inside with a bright color, or use metallic-finish paint instead. Or, use small paint brushes to create designs, patterns, or write inside the pan. 

Let the paint dry overnight before assembling the DIY. The simple way to go about this is to feed the socket through the hole, attach the bulb inside the pan, and hang the lampshade with the wire on top. Or, you can also wrap the wire with rope to make it look more aesthetically pleasing. And to avoid the pan weighing too heavily on the wire, you can add a metal chain, glued to the bottom of the pan and hooked to the ceiling. Another option is to drill smaller holes in the back of the pan for the chain. This will keep the weight off the wire, which can prevent it from fraying or snapping prematurely.