Years ago I picked up these silicone potholders at the Crate & Barrel outlet in Carlsbad, CA. I was excited about them until I got home and tried to use them to take things out of the oven. And then I really didn’t like them at all. They were unwieldy and tricky to work with, and they eventually found their way to the bottom of the potholder drawer.
In our latest move, however, I pulled them out again. And the other day, as I used one of my oh-so-handy silicone potholders to open up a tight lid on a jar, I realized I actually use them all the time now and am kind of in love.
They’re pretty handy little multi-taskers:
- As I already mentioned, silicone potholders are GREAT for opening tight lids on jars. When we got married, we got this little blue silicone thing that was made for that express purpose…I loved it, but this has replaced that tool in the kitchen since the potholders can do other things, as well…like…
- Securing a cutting board so it doesn’t slide around the counter. I’m constantly sticking these things under my wood cutting boards to keep them in place while I knead/roll/cut/whatever! Since they’re nice big squares, they keep the cutting board level as well.
- They can be used as a trivet.
- And, of course, you can use them to take things out of the oven. I already mentioned, I actually don’t love them for this purpose, I still prefer my cloth-based potholders. But you can use them for this if you want.
So, there you have it. I finally appreciate my silicone potholders.
Crate & Barrel carries different ones now that I don’t like the looks of as much. Mine are made by MIU and you can get them on Amazon in red, green, yellow and blue. And, this is not why I wrote the post, but come to think of it, these would be a great stocking stuffer!
Ha! I have a pair of these too and hate them. But I’ve only ever used them for their intended purpose, so I’ll have to start thinking outside the oven, so to speak.
so funny we had the same experience with them! 🙂 yes, think outside the oven! 😉
They have finally invented something that replaces a husband! No more “honey, can you please open this jar for me?” Whoa.
between this and a can opener (you HAVE to click the link below), husbands have been rendered obsolete.
https://thisweekfordinner.com/2009/01/15/kitchen-tip-opening-jars/
😉
too funny! i have one of these too, and i don’t think i’ve ever used it to remove something from a hot oven. mostly it functions as a jar opener! 🙂
great minds think a like! 😉
I use them as trivets but I also find them handy when I have to touch hot food directly. On Thanksgiving I flipped my turkey (as recommended by a Cooks Illustrated recipe) and used them. I have also used them to shuck hot corn on the cob (I roast the corn in the husk and it is much easier to shuck). I like how easy they are to clean! Great idea about holding the cutting board steady, I will have to try that.
oh, yes yes! that is a PERFECT use for these puppies because you can just rinse them off in the sink after, love it!! thanks, nancy!
I have one too… I used to have two, but a couple of years ago I was putting something hot back into the oven and somehow one had gotten stuck to the bottom of the hot pan. Can you say oven fire? It was a memorable day for us all.
um, yeah, I would say that’s memorable! goodness!!! I’ll be sure to keep an eye out for stowaway potholders!!
I couldn’t live without these I have a glass top stove and they keep hot and cold things from direct contact to hot and cold glass. Lke taking a hot pan from oven to cold glass top. I have also used them to insulate hot foods going into fridge glass shelves. Also between hot and cold foods on way to picnic. They should never have been called pot holders as they are way to clumsy for that purpose.
those are great uses! and you’re right…total misnomer. we should come up with a new, schnazzier more accurate name! 😉
In the commercial kitchen we don’t really use pot holders of any type. The most common replacement for such a kitchen tool is a towel. However, after having read the above article and the many uses of silicone potholders I am tempted to go purchase a few for the uses mentioned other than removing hot pans from my oven.
As a chef and caterer its important to have the right tools for the job at hand.
I always wondered if these were worth it! thanks for the heads-up…although I could see myself using them at the table, underneath a dish that’s still hot from the oven…Thanks for sharing…
Cathy b. @ brightbakes
thank you! thank you! I have these, and they’re so awkward to use as potholders! What a great uses. I have used them as trivets, but to open jars? Brilliant! And for securing some of my lightweight cutting boards! thank so much
you’re welcome! I know just how you feel, obviously! 🙂
I have these, too, and they are impossible for grabbing hot items.
Just dropped in to say your site is lovely, as are your photos. I’m looking to improve my food photography (aka Upgrade from my 6.5 mpix point-and-shoot to something of Higher Quality), and was wondering what camera you use? I’m looking to purchase a DSLR, and would love any input!
I will be stopping by soon for further recipe inspirations!
Thanks,
Lindsey
lucky you! I just wrote a post about a month or so ago about the camera I just bought and why I bought it https://thisweekfordinner.com/2010/10/28/my-new-camera-and-why-i-bought-it/
once you read that, let me know if you have any questions – hope it’s helpful!
for food…I love having a 50 mm lens, either f/1.4 or f/1.8 (much less expensive than the 1.4)…anyway, that’s a great lens to have for food photography 🙂