A common way in the past was to have a handle similar to a bucket's attached to the pot, often made from a thickish wire (e.g. baling wire).
Classically this was called a billycan , and meant that you could suspend the billy over the fire by the handle using just a stick, either cantilevered over the fire, or suspended like you might find in a spit-roast.
You can then pick up the billy by the handle, either using a stick or a bit of handy cloth and tip with another stick pushing the bottom of the billy.
outdoors.stackexchange.com/users/17886/bob1
I use a small cotton towel, such as a tea towel, folded a few times in to a long strip.
If the pan is small and light you can wrap the towel round and hold the ends tightly together to form a handle.
Otherwise use 2 hands.
You do need 2 layers, and synthetic fibres can melt or ignite (if they brush against part of the stove, for example - at least some can handle boiling water).
When travelling light it can be worth carrying something like this.
It's obviously good for drying things (you might not need to dry dishes
but you can dry yourself with it, perhaps starting with a small synthetic towel)
but it's grey useful for handling hot things if everything else you've got would melt or conduct heat fast enough to burn you.
I carry one when bike camping, for example.
A muslin (as used for babies) would be a little lighter.
My (as yet untested) very light cooking system relies on cooking everything in a mug with a handle.
That doesn't get as hot, so if it's a little uncomfortable to hold, any glove would be OK.
outdoors.stackexchange.com/users/2529/Chris H
I canoe camp, and I bring lightweight canvas or cotton gloves (leather dries too slowly) to prevent paddling blisters.
(There's a picture in my answer to https://outdoors.stackexchange.com/a/6996/163 )
They are also fantastic as "work gloves" eg carrying logs and when you need to handle something hot, like a pot.
They're small enough to fit in a pocket and to be nearby whenever you need them.
I have tried and failed to buy these online; your best bet is a store for farmers (eg The Co op, a hardware store in a farming area, etc) and a little patience.
outdoors.stackexchange.com/users/163/Kate Gregory
Small pair or two of channellock pliers or locking vise grips.
The locking vise grips are a little more multi purpose but either or both are handy to have (grab, grip, clamp in the case of the vise grips, tighten bolts, etc)
outdoors.stackexchange.com/users/14021/ivanivan
I use tin cans as pots.
I put a nail hole in opposite sizes just under the rim and string a chunk of bailing wire about 1.5 can diameters.
Twist at each end.
Most cans now have a thin liner of plastic -- essentially a layer of varnish.
While nominally food grade, when it burns it becomes uncertain.
Burn the can in a campfire or your wood stove before making a pot out of it.
The inside of the lip can have a sharp bit where the can opener finished.
Burnish the inside of the cut with the shaft of a screwdriver to press any jaggies flush.
Anyway: In camp, I can use a leather mitten, or a stick to move a pot on/off the fire.
When I have to actually hold something hot, I get out my leatherman -- which is part of my repair kit.
A small pair of channel lock pliers works better, but, hey, the ounces add up.
In practice the leatherman in plier configuration is mostly used to pour coffee or hot water from pot to cup.
outdoors.stackexchange.com/users/2157/Sherwood Botsford
How do you deal with handling hot pots / cups without using a pot grip (see the picture for an example)? It's inexpensive and rather light-weight, but why add gear if you can use what you already have? :) I've been usually using a small Leatherman and a stick to stabilise the pot, but it's not particularly convenient and I've had a few mishaps (a whole cup of hot water ending on the ground...)
How to improvise or make pot grip / pot handle
outdoors.stackexchange.com
<cooking>
outdoors.stackexchange.com/questions/23054
outdoors.stackexchange.com/users/14952/Alexander
Tin cans can be used as pots and wire can be used to make handles. Pliers or grips and even a strip of tea towel or gloves may also be used to handle pots. Gloves, pliers, tin cans, handles and cotton towels can be useful.
Gloves, pliers, tin cans, handles and cotton towels can be useful.