12 Types of Pot Holders [And How To Choose]

Pot-holders are an important protective device for the kitchen. These handy little textiles have been protecting hands since the mid- 19th century. Early renditions of this item were made from lace, crocheted yarn, or embroidered. Today we have many more materials to pick from. From cotton to kevlar, there are so many ways to make a potholder. There are also numerous qualities that you need from this item. A potholder should:

• Have high heat resistance.
• Be easy to wash.
• Have good gripping ability.
• Be convenient to store.
• Be long-lasting.

Without these qualities, a potholder can cause physical harm by melting, catching on fire, or not blocking enough heat. Picking a potholder is both about picking something that matches your kitchen as well as standing up to the demands of the kitchen. Now that you know what makes a good potholder let's look at the 12 different types of potholders and what makes them good for your kitchen.

1. Cotton Pot Holder

Cotton potholders are a classic choice. These potholders can either be found in 100% cotton or a blend of cotton and silicone. Cotton potholders have to be insulated with other materials so they can withstand heat. This means that there can be a wide range of temperatures that each potholder can withstand. A typical cotton potholder should withstand anywhere from 400 degrees up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cotton potholders also come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. Although, the typical shape is a square with sides measuring between 5 and 10 inches.

Check out this cotton potholder set on Amazon.

2. Aramid and Kevlar Pot Holder

Aramid is a heat-resistant and strong synthetic fiber. Kevlar and Twaron are common brand names for aramid. These fibers make for incredibly durable and protective potholders. Holders made from aramid are capable of withstanding 500-degree heat for 30 seconds. While these numbers will differ slightly for each product, any kevlar pot holder is designed to withstand hard work. These potholders are also easy to clean, with most aramids being machine-washable.

Check out this kevlar material hot pad on Amazon.

3. Neoprene Pot Holder

Neoprene is a synthetic rubber that has a wide commercial use. This versatile material is great for pot holders because of its high resistance to heat. Neoprene potholders are capable of withstanding 500 degrees Fahrenheit. This type of potholder has fewer design options than a cotton or silicone potholder would have. While it does have high heat resistance, it isn't that much better than silicone potholders.

Check out this neoprene potholder and oven mitt set on Amazon.

4. Silicone Potholder

Silicone potholders are a very common and popular choice. This type of potholder can be found as just silicone or a combination of materials, like cotton. While specifics will vary by product, silicone can withstand at least 500 degrees and up to 650 degrees Fahrenheit.

This product has excellent grip-ability. Materials like cotton can be difficult to grab a pot without it slipping. You don't have the same problem when using this material. Silicone potholders come in many different colors and sizes. Some popular shapes include circles, squares, and ovals.

Check out this silicone potholder on Amazon.

5. Quilted Pot Holder

Quilted potholders can easily be made at home. These can be made in any variety of shapes, sizes and can have any patterns. This type of potholder can also be made from most types of fabrics. Just make sure you use enough batting, so it actually protects against heat.

Depending on the type of batting used, quilted potholders can withstand around 400 degrees Fahrenheit. While there are potholders with higher heat resistance, quilted potholders tend to have more unique designs. This product can get dirty easily; however, it's also easily cleaned and can be put into the washing machine.

Check out this insulated batting for potholders on Amazon.

6. Crocheted Pot Holder

Crocheted potholders are another classic option. Designs for these potholders have been around since potholders were created. This option is better if you're looking to make your own rather than buy. Crocheted potholders can come in a large variety of colors, shapes, and designs. These can be as simple as a square or even in different shapes. When looking for crocheted potholders, look for a yarn that uses 100 percent natural fibers. These have a high resistance to heat. This type of potholder is also very easy to clean and is relatively durable.

Check out this Lion Brand yarn on Amazon.

 

7. Terry Cloth Pot Holder

Terry cloth, terry cotton, or terry toweling, is a fabric that is woven with little loops of thread. This product has a large range of heat resistance. Some holders only able to withstand 300 degrees, while others can tolerate 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Regardless of heat resistance, a terry cloth potholder is easy to clean. They also come in a variety of shapes and colors.

Check out this terry cloth potholder on Amazon.

8. Fingertip Pot Holder

Fingertip potholders are designed to protect your fingers when grabbing the edges of a pot or pan. While this style can come in fabric, silicone is a popular material choice. Fingertip potholders have an interesting design.

They usually look like lobster claws. This interesting design can make them difficult to store. However, sometimes a loop is designed on them for easy hanging. This product also doesn't protect anything other than your fingertips. While you should have a superior grip, more of your hand and arms are susceptible to burns.

Check out these heat-resistant finger grips on Amazon.

9. Mini Potholder

Overall, potholders have a typical size range of 5 to 10 inches. Mini potholders fall on the smaller end of that scale. These types of holders can measure anywhere from 3 to 6 inches. Mini potholders are usually found in the typical oval or squares.

They can also be found in a variety of materials. So, their heat resistance will vary. These holders are easy to store because of their smaller size. However, many have a loop for hanging storage. The size is both a benefit and a detriment. Small potholders can be uncomfortable for people with larger hands.

Check out this "fingertip" potholder by Le Creuset on Amazon.

10. Extra Long Pot Holder

With traditional potholders and mitts, you need two products to cover your hands, and your forearms are susceptible to burns. Not only does the double oven mitt protects your forearms, but it is also good for protecting your counter from the heat of large-sized dishes. These products can be made from multiple types of materials. The most common kind being a cotton and silicone combination. The size of these makes them harder to store. However, it's common to hang these on the door handle to the oven.

Check out this double oven mitt on Amazon.

11. Trivet Pot Holder

A trivet is an object, sometimes with "feet," that protects a table from heat damage from serving plates. Trivet potholders lack the traditional legs of a trivet. These potholders have a ridged or honeycomb design. This interesting feature makes them useful for more than just protecting your hands from heat. Trivet potholders can be used as a drying mat, a hot pad, to open cans, and even to peel garlic.

Silicone and cotton thread are popular design choices. These can come in a variety of shapes, squares, and circles, being the most popular. Depending on the style, trivet potholders can be difficult to store. However, their versatility means that you may not store them for very long.

Check out this silicone trivet pot holder on Amazon.

12. Pot Handle Holder

Handle holders are perfect for protecting your hands against heat, specifically from the handles of pans. While other potholders have a wide range of uses, you're fairly limited with this type of potholder. Typically made from silicone, it does have high heat resistance. They are easy to store. You can either leave them on your handles or hang them up. If you have cookware with hot handles, then this is a great choice for you. However, you may need additional potholders for other areas of your kitchen.

Check out this set of 8 pot handle holders on Amazon.

Before You Go

Picking a potholder for your kitchen may seem easy at first. However, there are a lot of factors that go into making a good potholder. You need a material that is easy to clean, won't melt or burn, and will protect your hands and surfaces from heat. Thankfully there are a lot of items available that can meet those needs. Whether you prefer unique and different or a more simple square, there is a potholder out there for you.

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