Folded dish towels are not the safest choice when it comes to handling hot items in the kitchen. Better protection is required while working with hot pizza stones, sizzling cast iron for fajitas, boiling water for pasta, and heavy Dutch ovens packed with chili. You can choose a pot holder or oven mitt that complements your kitchen decor, fits your hand well, and protects you from burns.
1. Best Overall Oven Mitts: Homwe Extra-Long Professional Silicone Oven Mitt
Our Favorites
- Protect your hands and forearms by covering them.
- The texture ensures a firm hold.
- Reduced bulk and increased pliability
Disliked Features
- It’s important to maintain a dry interior to prevent excessive heat transmission.
Silicone has become more common in recent oven mitt designs. Thick, cumbersome, and awkward-to-use gloves may arise from this. On the other hand, these mittens are a lot more pliable and thin than you’d imagine. You’ll have all the dexterity you need to master any culinary task. They’re easy on the body and can take a beating and keep on ticking.
Having a surface with a subtle pattern, they provide excellent grip. The design provides enough overall coverage to shield your arms, hands, and wrists from the oven’s heat and hot cookware. This set will more than meet your needs while you’re at camp.
Machine-washable? Yes | Silicone and polyester construction | 11 by 5.5 by 0.7-inch dimensions
2. Best Overall Pot Holders: Ritz Royale Collection 100 Percent Cotton Terry Cloth Pot Holder
Our Favorites
- There are eight different hues to choose from.
- Can be cleaned quickly and easily
- Construction that can be relied upon
Disliked Features
- There’s a chance it has to be changed out soon.
Using heavy cookware increases the risk of injury.
The modern trend in pot holders and oven mitts is toward more high-tech materials and creative patterns, but purists will appreciate this relic from the past. The ones your grandma has used since before you were born will come to mind.
When it comes to keeping the heat off, nothing beats the fluffiness of terry cloth. It moulds comfortably to the grip of a pot handle, so even while holding something heavy and hot, you won’t have to worry about losing your grip. The terry cloth can withstand cast iron skillets that have been in a 500 F oven, so it’s not too fragile. If you need to clean this pot holder, you may do it in the washing machine and dryer. Extra benefit? The simple square may serve as a trivet as well as an heirloom piece.
Cotton construction; 8.5 by 8.25 by 0.25″; machine washable
3. Best Silicone: Oxo Good Grips Silicone Pot Holder
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- Multipurpose design of a potholder and oven mitts
- Grip made of textured, slip-resistant silicone
- In a washing machine
Disliked Features
- Items are sold separately, not as a set.
Compared to similar silicone pot holders, this one is far more pleasant to use. Also, it’s very nimble in your grip. In spite of the fact that it cannot be washed in the washing machine, any splatters or spills may be quickly cleaned with a damp cloth and hung on the included silicone ring.
If you’re looking to add a splash of color to your kitchen, the OXO Good Grips Silicone Pot Holder is offered in three different colors: black, white, and cherry red. You may also use it as a trivet, much like other pot holders.
Machine-washable? Yes | Silicone | 9.75 x 7.5 x 0.25 inches
4. Best Hybrid: Ritz Royale Terry Cloth Mitz
Our Favorites
- Multipurpose design of a potholder and oven mitts
- Beautiful color scheme.
- Packaged in sets of 4 and available for purchase here.
Disliked Features
- Potential discomfort for those with bigger hands.
Not sure if you need oven mitts or pot holders? By combining features of both oven mitts and pot holders, this design provides the best of both worlds. It provides greater protection than a normal pot holder while yet being simpler to use than an oven mitt. Easy on and off is another perk. It’s machine washable and dryable thanks to being made from thick cotton and terry material.
Cotton construction; 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.75-inch dimensions; machine washable
5. Best for Large Hands: Big Red House Oven Mitts
Our Favorites
- Gloves made of sturdy cotton and coated with a silicone grip
- All hand sizes are accommodated.
- Protects better against extreme heat and weight
Disliked Features
- Washing machines may cause silicone to peel.
The roomy inside of these mittens makes them ideal for use even by those with large hands. The oven mitts were created by a chef who researched what features cooks at home would find useful. They are great for multi-cook homes since they are accommodating to both large and tiny hands.
They’re made of a comfortable blend of silicone and cotton, making them ideal for handling even the hottest of goods, including steaming supper casseroles. The terry fabric interior makes them not only more resistant to heat, but also more comfortable to wear.
Cotton and silicone construction; machine washable; 12.5 by 7 by 2 inches.
6. Best for Small Hands: Le Creuset Fingertip Pot Holders
Our Favorites
- Slimline construction
- Teflon-coated nylon resists steam and grease
- Is it OK to use the washing machine on this?
Disliked Features
- Not sleeveless or wrist-length
Even while oven mitts designed for bigger hands may be helpful for many chefs, those with smaller hands may find that they are cumbersome and difficult to use. Because your hand is occupied with holding onto the glove, you can’t obtain a good grip on the pan or pot you’re attempting to transfer. These tiny potholders contain pockets on the top and the bottom for fingers to slip into above and a thumb pocket below for a more natural grasp. The potholders retain heat resistance with Teflon-coated nylon, lined with a thick cotton terry cloth cushioning. Measuring eight inches long and five inches broad, these potholders are intended to fit snuggly in the palm of your hand.
Cotton and nylon construction; machine washable; 8 by 5 by 0.6 inches.
7. Best With Fingers: Grill Armor Gloves Extreme Heat-Resistant Oven Gloves
Our Favorites
- Able to withstand a great deal of heat
- Shaped like gloves rather than mitts
- Protective sleeve cuffs for the wrists and upper arms
Disliked Features
- Stains are more noticeable on lighter colors of cloth.
Thick and durable, yet lightweight, these oven gloves will allow your fingers feel free. Silicone grips line the edge, allowing you to hold on to the handles of your pots and pans without slipping. You may safely reach inside your oven at any temperature to adjust the racks or remove items.
The cuff will also shield your wrists from harm. These are perfect if you’ve ever found that an oven mitt limits your dexterity and makes it difficult to grip hot pots and pans. Keep in mind that they, like other oven mitts and pot holders, aren’t waterproof, increasing the risk of burns if they get wet.
Cotton and silicone make up the machine-washable material, sizing in at 12 by 7.5 by 1 inches.
Verdict and Conclusion
The Homwe Extra-Long Professional Silicone Oven Mitt (see at Amazon) is a great option for anybody looking for a durable oven mitt that won’t break the bank. The Ritz Royale Collection Terry Cloth Pot Holder (see at Amazon) is a classic alternative that can be washed in the washing machine and provides more protection from heat than flat textiles.
Features You Should Search for in a Kitchen Towel
Comparing the Pot Holder to the Oven Mitt
When it comes to the kitchen, most people have a strong preference for either pot holders or oven mitts, depending on which provides a more firm grasp. Traditional pot holders are a sensible option for those who like the convenience of kitchen towels but find they need additional insulation. An oven mitt is a sensible precaution for anybody who often burns their hands when handling hot dishes. This choice should be made based on personal preference and an assessment of your level of risk. It’s prudent to have both on hand for a range of contingencies.
Material
Cotton, usually in the form of terry cloth or a quilt, is the material of choice for making pot holders and oven mitts. Today, many decisions are still made in this way. Silicone, with its great heat resistance, resistance to water and oil, and nonslip surface, is a modern alternative. For added durability and safety, silicone gloves are sometimes lined with cotton, and thicker cotton mitts and holders may also be coated with silicone. Furthermore, some gloves are constructed from materials such as Teflon-coated nylon to provide an extra degree of protection from harmful elements like steam and grease.
In terms of materials, there is really no bad choice. Keeping gloves dry is the most crucial thing to remember while wearing gloves of any material. They lose most of their heat resistance if they become wet, increasing the possibility that you may suffer burns even while wearing them.
Coverage
Oven mitts, in comparison to pot holders, protect the hands and wrists more thoroughly. If you often burn yourself in the kitchen, you may want to invest in a longer pair of oven gloves. You may use a pot holder as a palm holder, but some also include finger pockets for further protection.
Cleaning
In general, you may wash your oven mitts and pot holders in the washing machine, but you should be careful while drying them. Line drying is the safest alternative since most are produced with cotton components that may shrink in the dryer. Know that burns and stains on your mittens will eventually become permanent. The longer your holder lasts, the stronger it has to be initially.
FAQs
Where do you keep your pot holders and oven mitts?
Storing oven mitts and pot holders next to the stove is ideal, and you may do so by hanging them on a neighboring wall or placing them in a drawer beneath the counter. You could put them in the mystery drawer beneath the stove, but it may be a bad idea. Some ovens feature drawers that may be used just as storage, but anything you put in them must be able to endure lengthy exposure to potentially high heat. To keep food warm or to broil it, you may use the other drawers in your oven. If that’s the case, you run the risk of burning whatever’s inside by pressing a button or turning on the heat. This situation poses a fire risk.
Eventually, all potholders and oven mitts will catch fire. Keep them in a secure place away from the stove, yet near enough to reach. Most include a loop so you can hang them up and save counter space.
In what ways do oven mitts and pot holders vary, and what do you use them for specifically?
The surface area covered by oven mitts and pot holders is the primary distinction between the two. Square pieces of fabric with a hook for hanging and occasionally a pocket on the reverse are known as pot holders. They are not as effective in preventing burns as full-length oven gloves, but they are considerably simpler to use. In addition to their obvious use as potholders, these tools may also be used as trivets for securing dishes that have been placed directly over a heat source.
Oven gloves cover your whole hand, wrist, and upper arm to prevent burns from making contact. Although they’re thicker than pot holders, they provide much-needed safety when handling hot dishes like steaming lasagna or gooey brownies straight from the oven. If you’re trying to avoid carrying about anything too bulky, they come in a range of sizes.
Can an oven mitt ignite?
Although heat resistance is a key factor to consider when shopping for oven mitts, it is crucial to remember that all materials are combustible when exposed to an open flame or sustained high heat. Even high heat-resistant materials like neoprene, silicone, and aramid can burn if left unattended near an open flame, and fabric oven mitts are especially flammable.
Is cast iron too hot for silicone oven mitts?
Silicone is an excellent material for oven mitts because it can withstand the high temperatures generated by cast iron cookware. Silicone oven mitts are great for use with cast iron since they can withstand temperatures of 500 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, much over the typical 400 degrees that other gloves can withstand.
Silicone oven mitts are dishwasher safe and can be cleaned easily.
Always refer to the manual provided by the manufacturer. Silicone, however, is quite durable and may be safely washed on the dishwasher’s highest setting. Both durability and resistance to high temperatures are design priorities in their construction. Most cotton liners in silicone mittens are detachable and machine washable. When washing mitts, be careful to squeeze out all of the water to prevent mold and mildew development and lingering smells.
What kind of wear and tear would necessitate replacing oven mitts?
Proper maintenance may extend the life of your oven mitts for many years. Whenever they grow worn or the quality of the material deteriorates, you know it’s time to get rid of them and get new ones. Don’t simply toss them away because they’ve thinned down; they’re still useful for a little longer. Instead of throwing them away, oven mitts may be reused as dusters throughout the home.
How high of a temperature resistance do oven mitts need to have?
It’s important to use oven mitts that can resist temperatures of at least 400 degrees Fahrenheit for a minimum of 10 seconds. If you use cast iron or other high-temperature cooking methods often, you may want to choose a material with a temperature range of 500 to 550 degrees.
