How We Tested Oven Mitts and Pot Holders

How We Tested Oven Mitts and Pot Holders

We researched highly rated oven mitts and pot holders in a variety of sizes and styles and tested eight varieties to try out in our home kitchens kitchen. Each product was rated on design, performance, ease of cleaning, and overall value. Comfort, grip, and heat transfer were assessed by holding the handle of a saucepan with boiling water for 15 seconds and taking a heated baking dish out of the oven.

What to Look for in a Pot Holder or Oven Mitt

Pot Holder vs. Oven Mitt

People tend to prefer either a pot holder or an oven mitt when cooking, based mainly on what feels most comfortable to use with a secure grip. For some people who like the ease of kitchen towels but find they need more insulation, a traditional pot holder is a rational choice. For those who find themselves getting singed going in and out of the oven or pouring sauce out of a pot, an oven mitt is the safer option.

The decision ultimately depends on how much protection you’re looking for and what feels the most secure. For instance, if you're pulling things in and out of a wood-burning pizza oven, you might consider using something designed for super-high temperatures, like Rapicca welding gloves. Also, it’s a good idea to keep both handy for different situations so that you’re covered. 

Material

Traditionally, pot holders and oven mitts are made with cotton, either in one thick layer of terry cloth or quilted. This is how many options today are still made. A more contemporary option is silicone, used for its slip-resistant grip, water and grease resistance, and high heat capacity.

Typically silicone gloves are lined with cotton for additional protection, or thicker cotton mitts and holders have a silicone coating. Domenica Lazo, Chocolate and Cocoa Applications Chef at Barry Callebaut, prefers silicone for oven mitts and recommends sourcing sustainable silicone since "it is very sturdy and usually lasts a lifetime. You’ll also know you’re helping the environment by not having to buy new ones every year or so.”

Additionally, some mitts are made with materials like Teflon-coated nylon to provide a thick layer of protection that helps resist steam and oil. 

There is no wrong option when it comes to material. The most important thing to remember when using gloves made of any material is that they should be kept dry. If they get damp or wet while you’re using them, their heat resistance is severely diminished, and you risk getting burnt through your mitt.

Coverage

As a general rule, oven mitts provide more hand and wrist coverage than pot holders alone. Oven mitts come in different lengths, which you should consider if you’re prone to burning yourself while cooking. If you're mainly pulling things in and out of a countertop oven, then you may not really need mitts that extend past your wrists.

Pot holders fit in the palm of your hand, but can also provide extra coverage with pockets for fingers. Rebecca Bloom, Baker and Founder of Piedaho Bakery, advises that you "get oven mitts that are long and come up your arm. The longer the mitt, the better, as I always hit my arms on hot pans.”

Cleaning 

Most oven mitts and pot holders are safe to clean in the washing machine, although care should be taken when drying. Since most are made with cotton components, they have the potential to shrink in the dryer, and line drying is the safest option. Realize that your mitts will likely stain and get burnt over time, which will never entirely wash out. The sturdier the holder you begin with, the longer it should last.

FAQs

How do you store oven mitts and pot holders?

The best spot to store oven mitts and pot holders is close to your stove, either hanging on an adjacent wall or in a convenient under-counter drawer. You may be tempted to store them in that mysterious drawer under the oven, but beware. Some ovens have drawers that are simply storage, but whatever you store there must be able to withstand prolonged exposure to possibly high heat.

Other oven drawers are warming or broiling tools. If that is the case, you may accidentally push a button or activate the heating function and cook whatever is in there. In this case, it is a fire hazard.

Ultimately, all oven mitts and potholders are flammable at a certain point. For safety reasons it is best to store them away from the oven, but close enough to grab easily. Most come with a loop for hanging, taking up less real estate in your kitchen.

What are the differences between oven mitts and pot holders, and what are their uses?

The biggest difference between oven mitts and pot holders is the coverage area. Pot holders are squares of material, usually with a hanging loop on the end and sometimes a pocket on the backside. They do not cover your hands or arms to protect you from burns but are much easier to maneuver than longer oven mitts—especially "mini" or fingertip-style pot holders, which are handy for quick grabs to move pots around on the stove or remove a hot lid. Pot holders also make great trivets for hot dishes.

Oven mitts encapsulate your whole hand, wrist, and part of your arm, fully protecting your skin from contact burns. They are bulkier than pot holders but offer security in the kitchen when pulling a pan of bubbling lasagna or fudgy brownies out of the oven.

They also come in various lengths if you are looking for something less cumbersome. Conversely, there are also double oven mitts that are connected by a long piece of heat-resistant fabric that can wrap around a bulky stockpot and protect your torso.

For added protection in the kitchen, also consider a quality apron.

Can oven mitts catch on fire?

Heat resistance is an important consideration when choosing oven mitts, but no matter what temperatures the material withstands, all are flammable when exposed to an open flame or long-term high heat. Fabric oven mitts are more likely to catch fire if left near open flame, but even high heat-resistant neoprene, silicone, and aramid will burn eventually if left unattended

Can silicone oven mitts handle cast iron?

Cast iron cookware conducts very high heat, and silicone is a great choice for oven mitt material to handle extreme temperatures. Most silicone oven mitts are heat-resistant beyond the normal 400-degree threshold, which makes them an excellent option for cast iron’s range of 500 degrees or more. 

Can you wash silicone oven mitts in the dishwasher?

You should always check the manufacturer's instructions. That said, silicone should easily withstand the top rack of a dishwasher. They are crafted to be highly heat-resistant and durable. If your silicone mitts have a cotton liner, it is often removable and can be machine-washed. Be sure all water is drained from the mitts once the wash cycle is finished to avoid unpleasant odors or bacteria growth.

What heat resistance do you need for oven mitts? 

To be safe, make sure your oven mitts can withstand temperatures starting at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 10 seconds. If you cook often with cast iron or extreme heat, look for material that is more in the 500- to 550-degree range.

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