How to Store Oven Mitts and When to Replace Them

Oven mitts and pot holders should be stored away from the stove and oven, in a dry, well-ventilated drawer or on a hook, since mitts hung right next to the stove get dirty from splattering oil and run the risk of catching fire. Why are oven mitts often stored improperly? In many kitchens, mitts and holders are hung right next to the stove for convenience, but that spot leaves them open to splattering oil and to catching fire from an open flame. Mitts left hanging in a damp spot, near the sink, for instance, keep absorbing moisture over time and can develop mold and a bad smell. The lining inside a mitt is not visible from the outside, so it often stays in use long after it has gotten dirty; but the lining picks up as much oil and moisture as the outer fabric, and without regular washing it can become a good environment for bacteria to grow. How should they be stored? Mitts and holders should be kept at least a meter away from the stove, either folded flat in a dry drawer or hung on a hook mounted on the wall; that distance protects them from splattering oil as well as direct heat. If they got wet, from washing dishes, for example, they should be dried fully before hanging rather than being folded away damp. If you have more than one pair, keeping the frequently used pair somewhere easy to reach and any spare pair in a separate spot makes it easier to notice and replace the most worn pair sooner. Cotton mitts should be machine washed about once a month, and silicone-coated ones every few months, to keep them clean. When should they be replaced? If the outer surface shows small burn holes, or patches that have thinned or gone stiff, the mitt no longer offers enough heat protection and should be replaced right away; a mitt that looks fine on the outside but is worn through underneath can hide the risk of a burn. Cracking or bubbling on silicone-coated holders is the same kind of signal to replace them, since heat can seep through the cracks. Does care differ by material? Cotton mitts soak up water and oil directly, so they need washing more often, though they are also easy to clean in a washing machine. Silicone-coated holders do not absorb moisture, so they can go longer between washes, but the silicone can stiffen and lose its flexibility over time; when that stiffening shows up, the heat insulation has weakened too and the holder should be replaced. Should you keep silicone and cotton mitts on hand? Silicone mitts grip slightly less well than cotton ones on wet or greasy surfaces, which is why some kitchens keep both types around. Silicone generally withstands higher temperatures than cotton, but when it loses its flexibility its protective power can drop off faster than a cotton mitt does. Regardless of brand or model, making an annual check a habit keeps wear and tear from going unnoticed. Giving the mitt a quick shake to let it air out after each use is another small step worth taking before folding it away in the drawer. Does mitt length affect safety? A long-cuffed mitt that covers the wrist keeps the inside of the forearm from brushing against a hot surface when reaching into the back of an oven; short-cuffed models offer less protection there and call for extra care in deep ovens. Stitching coming loose at the fingertips is another early sign of wear; when the seam opens, the inner padding can slip out, and heat insulation in that spot drops noticeably.