If you’re a person who loves to bake, then you should purchase high-quality baking utensils such as baking sheets, cake pans, muffin pans, and many more. You may have bought all the different kinds of baking utensils to perfect your skills in baking; however, there’s one thing you should never forget – oven mitts.
Some of you might have pulled something from the oven by improvising such as using only a towel, cardboard, or anything you can use to protect your hands from the heat. Unfortunately, that won’t grant you absolute safety. With the best oven mitts, you can offer total protection for your hand.
With that, we’re going to share with you the things you have to consider when buying oven mitts. We’ve also made reviews of several oven mitts we find in the market.
How to Choose the Best Oven Mitts
Since oven mitts are important to keep your hands protected while baking, it only makes sense that you should know how you can pick the right one. Without further ado, here are the factors to consider in choosing the right oven mitt:
Safety
Safety should always be your first priority. Identify what material the oven mitt is made of. Some materials such as those with carcinogen react badly when exposed to high temperatures, and they tend to produce radiation which can be hazardous to your skin.
Also, examine if an oven mitt can truly withstand extreme heat. Some oven mitts in the market are made of very thin cloth that can barely protect your hands from getting burnt.
Comfort
It is important to know if an oven mitt can provide you with the right amount of comfort when using. The right comfort will make it feel as though you’re still using your bare hands when handling hot dishes.
Aside from that, a comfortable oven mitt prevents the stress on your wrists and fingers. On the other hand, an uncomfortable oven mitt can deform your fingers and cause you to suffer chronic pains on your wrists.
Grip
This is a very important quality an oven mitt should possess. You should have a good grip on anything you’ll handle in the kitchen when wearing an oven mitt, especially handling those that are very hot. Having a good grip reduces the risk of accidentally dropping heavy dishes. If they drop, there is a huge chance that they might land on your foot or leg and cause injury, or worse, painful burns.
Flexibility
A flexible oven mitt allows your hands and wrist to rotate with ease. Oven mitts that aren’t flexible and very stiff only allow very minimal movement with your hands and wrist, thus making work in the kitchen very inconvenient and unsafe.
Ease of Cleaning
Oven mitts that are easy to clean can save you a decent amount of time. It also makes it easy to remove tough stains such as oil. Oil stains have to be removed when cleaning an oven mitt as it can cause fire accidents in future uses, and the risk of suffering from painful burns increases.
Type
Oven mitts are available in different types according to their design. They are as follows:
Mitten
The most common design, it only has one large slot for your four fingers and another small slot for your thumb. It’s okay to use when handling dishes that don’t require a maximum grip.
Double oven mitt
This is a pair of oven mitts sold as one. It’s very useful when handling dishes that require the support of both of your hands. However, it is still useful even when handling dishes that only require one hand to ensure safety.
Fingered oven mitt
This type of oven mitts is designed with individual slots for each of your fingers. Using this gives you a more comfortable and safer grip when handling dishes. It also comes in pairs.
Long oven mitt
This oven mitt design resembles a towel. It has two pockets on both sides wherein you can slip in your hands. This kind of oven mitt can make handling dishes very inconvenient. However, it is fine to use with dishes that only have minimal heat and only need to be handled on its sides.
Material
It goes without saying that you need to pick an oven mitt which is made of a durable and long-lasting material. Also, the material should be capable of providing you with the right amount of protection. That said, oven mitts on the market are often made of the following materials:
Rubber
Rubber provides you with superior grip when handling dishes. It enables you to hold your dish for an extended period of time because the heat cannot breathe through the material. However, mitts made of rubber are often very stiff and only allow minimal movements.
Cotton
This is no doubt the most common material used in making oven mitts. Cotton allows you to freely move your hands and wrists unlike those that are made of rubber. The downside of cotton is that heat can pass through it, and you’ll feel the heat on your skin after seconds.
Silicone
Silicone is the most flexible material used in making oven mitts. It allows you superior movement with your hands and wrist. Mitts made of silicone allow you to hold a hot dish for 30 seconds or more, and it can even withstand temperatures of up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
Best Oven Mitts
All Clad Textiles Heat and Stain Resistant Oven Mitt
Provides a Secure and Easy Grip on Either Hand
This oven mitt is made of cotton and twill treated with silicone on both sides. Its silicone material gives you superior grip in handling dishes, and it can be used for both your left and right hand.
It is resistant to heat of up to 500 degrees, protecting you from harm in handling a hot dish. It is easy to clean by machine-washing it cold with non-chlorine bleach.
- Comes in different colors to choose from
- Made of 100% cotton
- Provides superior grip and safety
- Might be too big and bulky
OXO Good Grips Silicone Oven Mitt
Superior Protection Down to the Forearm
This oven mitt is made of silicone and measures 13 inches to include protection for your forearm. Its surface is patterned with flexible diamonds to avoid slippage, and it’s also resistant to heat and tough stains.
It gives you a much needed comfort due to its soft fabric liner which also provides added insulation. Lastly, it is easy to clean by just wiping it with a damp cloth.
- Available at a very affordable price
- Comfortable to use and prevents slippage
- Resistant to heat and stains
- Some customers complained about the mitts being too small for their hand
Homwe Silicone Oven Mitts
Easy to Put On and Off Your Hands
This oven mitt is made of silicone with a quilted cotton lining. Its silicone material is BPA-free and is approved by the FDA. For starters, it gives you a superior grip without the risk of slippage, and its non-skid textured palm ensures stability when handling dishes. It is designed with a wide opening so that it’ll fit for individuals with larger hands.
- Its versatility allows you to use it for holding hot dishes and even as a pot holder
- Provides stability and good grip
- Fits well on any hand size
- Its cotton lining might be too thin compared to the other products on this list
Grill Armor Extreme Heat Resistant Oven Gloves
The Perfect Protection from Extreme Heat
At first glance, this oven mitt/glove looks like a goalkeeper’s gloves. It can withstand temperatures of up to 932 degrees Fahrenheit. It can also be used as a barbeque glove and pot holder. Thanks to its superior quality materials, you can expect it to be durable and long-lasting.
It has silicone flexible slots for each of your fingers for better grip. Despite its thickness, it is very light, making it comfortable for your hands. It is machine-washable and has a hook for hanging it to dry. Lastly, it is insulated with P-ARAMID and M-ARAMID fabrics, making it resistant to melting or burning when exposed to flames.
- Can withstand extreme heat
- Provides superior grip
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Available in different colors and sizes
- Its appearance might not be somewhat offputting
- The protection it offers is only limited to the wrist
Cuisinart Oven Mitt with Non-Slip Silicone Grip
FDA-approved Heatproof Mitt
This oven mitt from Cuisinart is made of cotton fabric, with the palm layered with rubber and silicone. The palm is designed to provide you with a secure grip, stability, and slip prevention. Aside from that, it also gives you absolute safety due to its heat-resistant construction which is designed to withstand extreme temperatures of up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. The outer layer silicone is BPA-free and 100% FDA-approved.
- Provides you with a secure and stable grip
- Can withstand extreme heat
- Comes in pairs
- BPA-free and FDA-approved
- Handwashing is recommended
- Its hand puppet design might feel unnatural and uncomfortable at times
Mastrad Orka Plus Oven Mitt
Heat-resistant Mitt with a Simple Design
This oven mitt is made of a silicone outer shell that can withstand boiling temperatures. It provides a secure, non-stick grip, eradicating the risk of slippages. Despite its appearance, it’s actually capable of withstanding temperatures of up to 480 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, you can even take the inner cotton lining for easy cleaning purposes.
- Can withstand boiling temperatures with ease
- Provides you with a good and stable grip
- Its unique design allows you to hold onto things effortlessly
- The cotton lining might come off from the silicone layer if not attached properly
Frux Home and Yard Silicone Oven Mitts
Best for Small and Big Hands Alike
This oven mitt is made of BPA-free and FDA-approved silicone on the exterior, providing you with an easy and safe grip due to its lifted pattern. Its interior is a quilted liner made of 50% polyester and 50% cotton. It’s capable of withstanding temperatures of up to 482 degrees Fahrenheit for superior heat protection. Its measurement covers the hands down to the forearms for added safety.
- Can withstand high temperatures
- Features a long length that also covers the forearms
- Comes with a silicone exterior for superior protection
- Can be machine or hand washed
- Not ideal for those with small hands
BIG RED HOUSE Oven Mitts
Great Heat Resistance along with Flexibility
This oven mitt is made of cotton and has silicone stripes for a secure grip. It is very flexible, allowing your hand and wrist to move and rotate freely. That aside, it can withstand heat temperatures of up to 480 degrees Fahrenheit. The mitt is a combination of cotton and silicone which are BPA-free and approved by the FDA.
- Flexible and comfortable to use
- Provides you with a secure grip
- Can withstand extreme temperatures
- BPA-free and FDA-approved
- Does not ensure ease when washing it
Honla Silicone Oven Mitts
Heat-Resistant Mitts that Offer a Secure Grip
The Honla oven mitt is made of twilled cotton and patterned silicone for superior flexibility and a secure and non-slip grip. The silicone patterns are tailored on both sides for efficient use with either hand. Additionally, the materials are FDA-approved and BPA-free.
Its length covers your forearm for maximum protection, and it can withstand temperatures of up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Its silicone exterior allows you to securely grip things
- Maximum protection down to the forearms
- Can withstand extreme heat
- Easy to clean
- Only available in one size which might either be too big or small for you
OXO Good Grips Silicone Pot Holder
Easy to Slip In and Out of Your Hands
This potholder is made of silicone and comes with a patterned design for a secure and easy grip. It is resistant to flames and stains, not to mention it’s very easy to put on by slipping your hand in the back pocket. It also provides comfort and added insulation due to its soft fabric liner. Lastly, it is easy to clean/wash with a damp cloth and washing machine.
- Its non-slip silicone pattern allows for a secure and improved grip
- Resistant to flames and stains
- Available at a very affordable price
- Its pad-style design might not be ideal for you if you prefer glove-style mitts
Final Thoughts
Although oven mitts don’t improve the taste, texture, and overall quality of your dishes, it is still important to own at least a pair or so. After all, oven mitts contribute to your protection while you enjoy doing work in the kitchen – and nothing’s as important as your own safety while cooking.
