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Mittens can take a pair of self-respecting grown-up hands and render them mostly useless save lightly gripping ski poles or waving from across a snow bank. But when that same infantilizing design holds something hot while cooking, the opposite is true. This kind of protective gear is used by adults in the kitchen who know a slightly damp rag is not enough against a searing hot sheet tray. The best oven mitts save skin during those precious moments between the oven, stove, and cooling countertop. It’s a critical role that should only be served by the best.
Oven mitts are a requisite for taking a scalding pan of cookies out of the oven, a pan of bread, or handling a cast iron skillet. Favored by many chefs due to their versatility, durability, and ability to maintain heat, the handles of cast iron skillets can get very hot because they’re typically made from a single piece of metal. Not skin-friendly blazing at a few hundred degrees.
Still, using oven mitts can feel like a cumbersome inconvenience, like the digitized paws evolution has gifted us have been rendered lobster claws. It makes sense why a lot of chefs don’t use them and opt for folded cotton dish towels for insulation in a pinch, with more control and dexterity. As cool as that looks on cooking shows, in home kitchens where cooks lack the finesse, it is best to use something multi-layered that doesn’t shift position easily.
“All oven mitts are generally heat-resistant, but some mitts are much better at withstanding higher temperatures,” professional baker and recipe developer Laura Kasavan told SPY. Cotton is the classic material used to make oven mitts due to its low thermal conductivity. Unless it gets wet, heat passes through cotton very slowly.
Silicone oven mitts are a more modern innovation because of their water resistance, flexibility, and easier grip. On top of the added maneuverability they provide, silicone is environmentally friendly.
Depending on what you’re cooking, as well as variables like budget and comfort preferences, a good pair of oven mitts can cost anywhere from $10 to $30. But even at a lower price point, making the wrong purchase can leave you burned.
What the Experts Say
Experts in the culinary world agree that cotton and silicone oven mitts should be able to provide enough heat protection for most meal preparation, up to about 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
“For most home cooks, a basic quilted cotton oven mitt with an insulated lining is a good economical choice,” Anca Toderic, a private chef and recipe developer, explained. “Silicone oven mitts are more expensive but can provide better heat protection and durability over time.
The biggest difference is that it takes more layers of cotton to properly insulate cloth oven mitts, making them bulkier, whereas the low thermal conductivity of silicone allows for the same protection with a thinner layer. This can provide more flexibility in the mitt, which is another important factor to consider. “Grip comes down to how flexible mitts are, along with how well they fit,” Kasavan said. Fit can be tricky to nail, as everyone has different hand sizes. But most oven mitts are around 12.5 to 14 inches in length, for adequate forearm coverage.
For heat above 450 degrees, such as cooking over a fire, which can get above 2,000 degrees, materials like leather can be used for grill gloves. However, some home chefs find them less convenient because the rough texture attracts food scraps and they’re hard to clean.
Despite the brand name, Kevlar and other synthetics like Nomex are not bulletproof and less heat resistant than silicone. And oven mitts made out of Neoprene, a type of rubber, have been found to melt at temperatures as low as 400 degrees. So, play it safe and stick to cotton, silicone, or a combination of the two, Kasavan and Toderic advised.
For this story, SPY spoke to Kasavan, Toderic, and Lauren Allen, cookbook author and founder of Tastes Better From Scratch about how they protect their hands in the kitchen. They shared their favorite mitts to recommend to amateur chefs, and how to handle the heat of cooking.
BEST OVERALL
HOMWE Extra Long Professional Silicone Oven Mitt
Longer oven mitts are typically better, because they prevent more surface area from being burned. “Pro tip: Select a set of oven mitts that are long enough to protect your forearms from hot oven racks,” Kasavan said. And at nearly 15 inches, the HOMWE mitts are the longest mitts experts recommended.
The HOMWE mitts are also highly rated for their heat resistance, and cotton-line silicone is favored for its functionality. “They’re flexible enough for great control,” Allen said. Like the OXO oven mitts, the HOMWE mitts are lined with 100 percent cotton, but a cotton-polyester blend. Unlike the OXO mitts, there is no 30-day money-back guarantee. And like many other oven mitts, some Amazon reviewers found the product to be too small, others found it too big and bulky, but a lot of people with small and large hands found their pliability to be just right.
On the upside, the HOMWE mitts are by far the most versatile in terms of the ways they can be cleaned, either by hand, in the dishwasher, thrown in a load of laundry, or washed by hand. Like many other oven mitts, some Amazon reviewers found the product to be too small, others found it too big and bulky, but a lot of people found their pliability to be just right.
This set currently costs $20.49, so for $10 a mitt consumers get the added coverage of 14.7 inches. When it comes to full protection, there is no beating HOMWE mitts on the long game.
BEST VALUE
Big Red House Oven Mitts and Pot Holders Set
Big Red House’s combined set of oven mitts and potholders is one of the best values out there because it comes with four very versatile sources of heat protection. Mitts are a must, but as Toderic pointed out, “Potholders are useful for quick jobs like grabbing hot pans off the stove. I’d recommend having both.”
Aside from being a bargain, these mitts and potholders are great for anyone who misses traditional cotton oven mitts. These mitts and potholders are made of insulated cotton, so they have the same feel, but they have silicone striping that gives them the grip of a more modern oven mitt. The terry cloth lining adds to the comfort, and potholders can be used as trivets in a pinch.
Since the cotton can still get wet and make mitts hotter, these oven mitts are best for baking and light cooking. But at $22.49 for the entire bundle, which comes out to less than $7 per mitt and less than $5 per potholder, it is going to be difficult to cook up a deal better than that.
BEST SINGLE MITT
OXO Good Grips Silicone Oven Mitt
There are a lot of silicone oven mitts on the market with decent thermal protection but “the OXO Good Grips are my top choice,” Allen said. For one, the reinforced stitching and enclosed edges make them more durable than mitts without these features, and the textured palms help prevent slipping. The diamond patterned effectively dissipates heat and the “beveled shape allows better freedom of movement, and the wide wrist opening also keeps forearms safer,” Allen added.
The OXO Good Grips are lined with a soft cotton-polyester lining, and they’re machine washable as well, making them a convenient choice for shoppers who are not finicky about synthetic fabrics. The sleek black also color keeps them stain-free.
People with especially large or small hands seemed to have the most issues with comfort and fit, according to Amazon reviews. This mitt sold solo, so to protect both hands consumers need to buy two at $16 a piece. That is slightly pricey compared to other mitts, but it comes with the brand’s guarantee that anyone who is unsatisfied with their products can return them for a full refund within 30 days.
For a more affordable way to get in on the OXO heat protection is with a silicone pot holder, for only $12.99. However, they’re not as effective for holding heavier skillets and pans and the company will not refund your forearm hair. But for anyone looking for heat protection first and foremost, the silicone mitts are a great option.
Best for hot and heavy things: Gorilla Grip Heat and Slip Resistant Silicone Oven Mitts.
HOT & HEAVY THINGS
Gorilla Grip Heat and Slip Resistant Silicone Oven Mitts
Without the proper protection, it’s easy to drop a hot skillet on the floor. That is where silicone oven mitts lined with cotton really come into play. “I personally bake with silicone oven mitts lined with cotton,” Kasavan noted. “They offer a nice mix of insulation and durability from the silicone, and comfort from the cotton lining.”
Such comfort makes home chefs safer in maneuvering around hot skillets, roasting pans, and handling the grill. Reddit users agree with Kasavan, particularly for those with smaller hands (no judgment), describing Gorilla Grip mitts as “slim, sturdy, easily rinseable. They’re very good for the price.”
On the other hand, one of the more consistent complaints among Amazon customers is that it is harder to clean the cotton lining because they are not machine washable, unlike the OXO brand.
Still, for a price point of $20.90 for a 12.5-inch pair, or about $10 a mitt, home chefs can confidently hold their hot skillets with both hands. Interestingly, the 14.5-inch pairs are currently on sale for a lower price of $18.94, and Kasavan suggests longer mitts for added coverage.
Just make sure to wash them before and after each use, to keep the lining as fresh as possible.
BEST FIT
Sur La Table Large Tile Oven Gloves
In a bit of a twist, Toderic’s favorite oven mitt isn’t a mitt at all. It’s a glove. She uses her Sur la table silicone-tiled gloves more than all of her oven mitts, mostly because they fit best. “Gloves cover each finger individually, providing better dexterity,” Toderic explained. “This can make it easier to grasp and handle hot items with precision, enhancing control in the kitchen.”
Aside from the glove style, the Sur la Table gloves are available in small and large pairs, for more precise sizing and even better maneuverability. The gloves themselves are made of a cotton-polyester blend with a unique aramid shell, a synthetic fiber that is generic for Kevlar, and feature silicone tiling for grip and thermal protection. More stylish and less bulky than grilling gloves, they are available in three colors — gray, deep red, and washed blue.
As a higher-end product, these gloves require more care and can only be washed by hand, and they won’t protect from heat until they are fully dry. As the most expensive pair of hand protectors at $28 a pair, or $14 a glove, it is worth noting that they are the only recommendation that doesn’t come with a hanging loop. However, the more streamlined design makes them easier to store in a kitchen drawer, without taking up the same amount of space as mitts.
For anyone new to the kitchen, or who is on the clumsier side, the added dexterity might be worth it. Ultimately, a glove could make the difference between dinner on a plate and dinner on the floor.
Frequently Asked Questions About Oven Mitts
How Many Oven Mitts Do You Need?
Unfortunately, there is no uniform way to buy oven mitts. Like the OXO brand, they can be sold one at a time, or like the Big Red House brand, be sold in bundles with potholders. This makes it challenging to infer what a kitchen novice needs to get started, but Kasavan recommends having at least two different pairs, aside from potholders, or four mitts total. That way, there is always a pair on hand, in case the other is in the wash.
When is it Time to Get New Oven Mitts?
Even if it says that oven mitts are dishwasher safe or machine washable, all three experts recommended hand washing mitts to extend their lifespan. With proper care, oven mitts can last a year or so, Allen said, but pay attention to how they’re holding up. “Replace mitts once the protective layers show signs of wearing thin or if the grip becomes compromised from extensive use.”
Are Funny Oven Mitts OK to Use?
When it comes to cotton oven mitts these days, it’s hard to find one that is not attempting to be clever. From ones that read “I’ll Feed All You F–kers” to perhaps even more embarrassing ones that say “B–ch I am the secret ingredient,” these try-hard mitts are everywhere. But because they do not incorporate silicone into the design, they’re not going to save your hands (or sense of humor).
“Novelty mitts likely won’t offer the durability, grip, or heat resistance you need day after day,” Allen said. “I’d stick to more heavy-duty options for practical use.”
In other words, buy kitschy wall art and graphic tees you must, but leave heat protection out of it.
The Best Way to Store Your Mitts
One of the most inexplicably irritating aspects of owning oven mitts is how much room they take up in drawers. In terms of evolving kitchen innovations, it seems as if designers have figured out a way to break down almost every piece of cookware down for simple storage, except for oven mitts.
Oven mitts and gloves do tend to be bulky to store in a drawer,” Kasavan acknowledged. For a space-saving hack, she recommended installing hooks inside of the cabinet closest to the oven or stovetop, for easy access, kind of like this.
After all, oven mitts are for cooking, not for eating up storage space.
