Features of silicone potholders

When preparing food both on the stove and in the oven, you cannot do without the use of oven mitts to protect your hands from exposure to high temperatures. This accessory is found in every kitchen in more than one copy and is used almost every day. In the past few years, in modern kitchens, you can increasingly find potholders and holders for hot dishes made of silicone.

For many years, potholders have been made from lined fabric. They could be sewn on their own, or purchased from any hardware store.

But rags are short-lived and require constant washing, after which their appearance deteriorates. And since potholders, in addition to their direct purpose - to protect hands from high temperatures, sometimes also perform a decorative function, fabric potholders that have lost their neat appearance after washing or from contact with food often have to be changed.

In order to understand whether it is worth buying a silicone oven mitt for hot, or leaving the fabric options for oven mitts, you need to know what are the advantages of kitchen products made of modern material.

A number of factors are most often attributed to the positive characteristics of silicone potholders and stands:

1. they are able to withstand temperatures up to 250 degrees;

2. do not get wet;

3. do not absorb unpleasant odors;

4. have a soft surface, it is convenient to take them in hand;

5. are available in various forms, can complement the design of the kitchen;

6. retain their original shape and color for a long time;

7. easy to clean;

8. the ability to clean silicone products in a dishwasher using any dishwashing detergent;

9. low cost;

10. the opportunity to purchase at any supermarket;

11. long service life.

The disadvantages of silicone potholders can be identified only if a low-quality product with an admixture of plastic is purchased. Such specimens most often have the following negative characteristics:

• sharp unpleasant odor;

• lack of a ribbed surface on the palm;

• high rigidity of products, it is uncomfortable to bend the arm in them;

• uneven tack contours, nicks and cracks at the seams.

In order to avoid discomfort and disappointment, it is necessary to avoid purchasing low-quality copies. Therefore, you need to buy silicone kitchen accessories only in a large chain supermarket or a well-known home appliance store, as well as on multi-brand Internet sites.

Modern stores offer a huge range of heat-resistant silicone potholders and mittens. In order to fully equip the kitchen with convenient accessories, to give it individuality, it is worth purchasing several varieties of potholders of a certain color or shape. There are several common options.

• Potholders in the form of various animals, for example, butterflies, frogs, cows, dogs. This version of the product has the shape of an animal's mouth with protruding eyes and a nose. The thumb is placed in the lower part of the potholder, and the other four are placed in the upper part. With the help of potholders in the shape of animals, it is convenient to remove pots and pans from the stove, but they are not suitable for use in the oven, since they only protect the fingers and part of the palm.

• In order to get the baking sheet out of the oven and not burn your hands on the hot parts, you can use silicone mitts in the shape of gloves. Their height can cover the arm up to the elbow, which will protect it from contact with the walls of a hot oven.

• Silicone gloves with different holder options. These can be small holes, loops, or magnets. It is convenient to place such accessories on hooks, and potholders with magnets can take their place on the refrigerator door and always be at hand.

• Combined silicone tacks with inserts made of fabric with a beautiful ornament.

Many well-known brands are engaged in the release of silicone kitchen accessories. Among the most popular and frequently purchased products are potholders made of modern heat-resistant material from several companies.

• IKEA. The Scandinavian brand produces practical models of silicone pot holders with unusual decor in several colors. You can purchase products on the official website of the manufacturer.

• MARMITON. Heat-resistant silicone accessories of various shapes are produced under this brand. You can buy the products of this company in the Leonardo chain supermarkets.

• HOME. Produces good options for potholders. These accessories are sold in the LENTA trade network, they are distinguished by an interesting design and low cost.

• TERENBERG. This company produces interesting models of butterfly-shaped pot holders. There are magnets in the center of the butterfly. When using silicone holders for their intended purpose, the butterfly must be divided into 2 parts to grip the plate from different sides. And during storage, you can decorate the refrigerator with such butterflies.

In order to choose the optimal set of silicone tacks for the kitchen, it is necessary to compare several options for products of various shapes, choosing exactly the model that is most suitable. There are several criteria based on which you can purchase the desired model:

• the potholder should be soft, easy to put on the hand and not constrain movements, since using a hard and inappropriate product can be not only inconvenient, but also dangerous;

• that part of the product that is in contact with the hot handles must not be slippery, must have a ribbed surface;

• it is better to purchase several options for potholders, some to use when working with an oven, others for hot pots, and still others as a decorative element;

• purchase products from only a trusted manufacturer;

• when working with the oven, it is better to purchase a pair of silicone gloves, this will provide a more comfortable grip on a heavy baking sheet;

• the price of a quality tack cannot be less than 150 rubles, this is due to the fact that cheaper options are made from a mixture of silicone and plastic.