The Best Oven Mitts Are Made of Silicone

Jun 05, 2023

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Swapping out dish towels and fabric oven mitts for mitts made of silicone has been a huge blessing.

I've never understood the lack of oven mitts in professional kitchens. Instead, all I see are chefs using folded up dish towels to grab hot dishes from the oven and maneuver scalding hot pots and pans across the stovetop. Then again, I'm no restaurant chef. I am, however, proficient in an apartment kitchen, and I can say the lack of burn scars on my hands and forearms is all thanks to one, er, two things: my silicone oven mitts.

Brands make a bunch of items designed to help cooks touch hot items: heat-resistant gloves, pot holders, fabric mitts and the like. I've tried them all. None can hold their own against my silicone oven mitts because none gives me the dexterity and heat resistance, while also being easy to clean. One pet peeve I've had with fabric oven mitts is that they're so hard to clean. On numerous occasions I've dipped the thumb into a sheet pan of oil, which is not only a pain to clean, but soaks through the material. If I make that same mistake with silicone oven mitts, I can wash them in the sink like I would wash my hands, and they're good as new. I have a similar cleanliness qualm with dish towels, which also decrease the dexterity I get from oven mitts.

When it comes to heat-resistant gloves, I always find myself struggling to get them on and off in a reasonable amount of time. Plus, one size fits most doesn't work as well when it comes to gloves versus mitts. Which brings me back to the GOAT of heat protection in the kitchen. Silicone oven mitts will never let me down, which is why they're my go-to gift for people who use anything else. Buy a pair, and you'll never have to buy aloe vera gel to soothe any more hand burns.

Five Two's oven mitts are probably the best to buy. They can withstand up to 650 degrees Fahrenheit with their flexible and durable silicone construction. The fabric forearm protection is longer than most others on the market providing greater protection, and they feature a side slit to make it easier to put on and take off. And if you've ever had trouble finding a place to store your mitts, these have a magnet in them so you can hang them on your oven or fridge.

These silicone oven mitts have a diamond pattern that increases heat protection and offer non-slip abilities. They have a taper fit that makes them stay on tight, but can be a bit of an annoyance if you're trying to slip them on really quick. Make note that these come sold as single units, which is good if you only want a single mitt.

These wallet-friendly oven mitts offer heat protection up to 484 degrees Fahrenheit, while their honeycomb pattern increase slip resistance. The silicone extends up the forearm, rather than opting for fabric, which further increases their waterproof capabilities.

KitchenAid's oven mitts have a vertical ribbing, and they're good for temperatures upt o 500 degrees Fahrenheit. They're a little shorter than the other oven mitts on the set, so be extra mindful of your forearms when you're reaching into the oven. On the bright side, they are quite affordable.