When choosing an oven mitt, it’s good to keep in mind the length and width (some don’t provide nearly enough coverage while others can be too cumbersome, but that depends on your own limbs) and the material. There are several oven mitts to consider—some even with fingers!—from silicone to cloth, each with its own pros and cons. Here are the best oven mitts to keep by your stove. Big Red House’s oven mitts might just be the only ones you need to have in your kitchen. They’re affordable and available in bright cheery colors like turquoise and red, plus a terry cloth lining makes them comfortable to wear, too. These 12.5-by-7-inch cotton mitts are ribbed with silicone strips to help you securely grip any hot item. Silicone typically withstands more heat than cloth, but these flexible Big Red House oven mitts can still handle high temperatures. Should these get dirty, they can be thrown into the washing machine and air-dried.Price at time of publish: $15 for a pair These Homwe silicone mitts earn rave reviews from the Simply Recipes team. “I’ve had a pair of these silicone quilted oven mitts for 2.5 years, and they are, quite simply, the best. Truly, the oven mitts of my dreams,” senior editor Cambria Bold says. At 11 inches wide, these are a great option for those with bigger hands and a textured palm allows anyone to get a confident grip on heavy items like cast iron skillets. Length options of 13.7 and 14.7 inches mean they’re longer than most oven mitts, ensuring that you also have extra coverage on your arms. “Oven mitts play an underrated but crucial role in any kitchen,” says Nik Fields, chef and founder of Chic Chef. “Aesthetically, many cotton and fabric mitts adorn a kitchen to match a certain style. However, the mitts on the market that are best to withstand the heat from hot ovens, cookware, and bakeware are made from silicone, a hybrid between plastic and rubber. Silicone mitts rate as some of the most durable and heat-proof tools made for your kitchen. The Homwe oven mitts are not only affordable but also durable. They’re also easy to clean and effective at withstanding the heat.” Users also like that the silicone part of the Homwe mitt is waterproof, an especially great feature when you’re gripping the sides of a heavy pot to dump out boiling water or taking off a lid to release steam. These are easy to wipe down with soap and water, but can also be thrown into the washing machine.Price at time of publish: $14 for a pair If you want the coverage provided by a mitt with the ability to actually grip the hot item, you need an oven glove. And if you know that you’ll be reaching into extremely hot ovens with an open flame, you need a glove made of the same flame-resistant material firefighters wear. Measuring 12 by 7 inches, this Crate & Barrel oven mitt is your pretty standard oven mitt. It’s cloth with polyester fill and a straightforward design, but if you’re looking for an oven mitt that will get your baking sheet from Point A to Point B without burning your hand, this one will get the job done. Since this only comes in a light gray, it’s a great neutral to have in your home, especially if you haven’t decided on your color palette yet. Users like the plush quilted design and find these mitts to be pretty durable, though note that it’s only one mitt. You’ll need to purchase two for a pair. They’re machine washable and can be put through the dryer. If you’re working regularly with grills, smokers, and oil or air fryers, you know that oven mitts and gloves can be put through a lot. Not only is the food extremely hot, but also you might need to move your cast-iron grate at the last minute or have to preheat your carbon steel skillet. That’s when you need gloves like these. For the home chef who wants their hands to look stylish while pulling those perfect cookies out of the oven or placing the hot pot on a trivet, the Five Two silicone oven mitts are a worthy splurge. They measure 15 by 7 inches and come in beautiful hues like smokey red paprika, blueberry, and blush pink rhubarb. A loop at the top makes the mitts easy to hang up and put on display if you can’t bring yourself to shove them in a drawer. These aren’t just eye candy. The mitt part of the gloves is made of silicone so you can easily grab that cast iron Dutch oven. And they’re machine washable.Price at time of publish: $40 for a pair If you don’t need the arm coverage but want more hand protection than a potholder, then consider the mini oven mitt. Cuisinart’s mini mitts, made of cotton with a silicone grip, are made to quickly slip over your hands when you need to grab something out of the oven. The small mitts aren’t bulky but still offer enough protection from the heat, and are useful for kids as they learn their way around the kitchen. They also take up less space in the kitchen and come with a metal hanging loop, an added bonus for those with tight spaces. It’s recommended you hand wash these and lay them flat to dry.Price at time of publish: $16 for a pair
What to Look for When Buying Oven Mitts
Materials
Oven mitts are usually made from silicone, cotton, polyester, aramid fibers, and other materials. Silicone oven mitts are popular for their heat resistance and grip. They are durable, but they’re not as flexible as other options. Cotton, polyester, and other soft fabrics are comfortable and flexible, but they don’t provide as much heat resistance as some materials. Synthetic materials, such as aramid fibers, Nomex, and Kevlar, are strong and have high heat resistance. However, they can be bulky and more expensive.
Sizes
Oven mitts are usually one-size-fits-most. If you have smaller-than-average hands, look for kitchen gloves available in “ladies” size or try out mini oven mitts. Both will prevent your hand from getting swallowed up by the glove and becoming unwieldy to handle. Larger-than-average hands should also look at kitchen gloves or for “oversized” mitts. Oven mitts also vary in length, with around 12 inches covering up to your wrist. For maximum protection, opt for an oven mitt that covers part of your arms, usually around 14 inches or more in length.
Cleaning
Food and grease can build up on your oven mitts, so you should wash them regularly. Cotton oven mitts can be put in the washing machine with regular laundry detergent in the cold or warm water cycle, and then line dry. Similarly, silicone oven mitts are dishwasher-safe, just wash them on the top rack.
What’s the difference between oven mitts and potholders?
Oven mitts are shaped like gloves or mittens, providing more hand protection and sometimes arm protection. Potholders are smaller square or rectangle linens, made from quilted cotton or silicone, and are only meant to protect your fingers and palms.
Can you hang oven mitts on your oven door?
Yes, you can safely hang oven mitts on the outside of your oven door. This is a functional and practical way to store your oven mitts while keeping them nearby for when you need them. It’s also decorative.
Can silicone oven mitts catch on fire?
Silicone oven meats are extremely heat resistant and fire-resistant. The melting point of silicone is extremely high. However, you should avoid exposing your silicone oven mitts to open flames for safety purposes.
Why Trust Simply Recipes?
Lia Picard writes for outlets like The New York Times, Food & Wine, and HuffPost, in addition to Simply Recipes. She’s also constantly reaching for her oven mitts in the kitchen and has been burnt once or twice thanks to poor construction. She doesn’t want anyone else to go through that! Read Next: The Best Toaster Ovens
