Metal pan handles get hot because they are made of a metal material that absorbs and conducts heat better than plastic. Metal is an excellent conductor of heat, meaning it quickly transfers the heat from the stove or oven to your hand when you touch it. Plastic, on the other hand, is not as good at conducting heat; instead, it tends to insulate and trap the heat in the object rather than transferring it away. As such, when a pot or pan handle is made out of plastic, its temperature does not rise as quickly or become as hot as one made out of metal would be under similar circumstances. This difference makes plastic handles much safer for users since they can remain cool even after being exposed to excessive temperatures.