Hot Pot Holder: A Kitchen Essential

A pot holder is a piece of textile or silicone used to cover the hand when holding hot kitchen equipment, such as pots and pans. They are usually made from polyester or cotton, and sometimes wool, which is flame-resistant. They are often square-shaped, with rounded corners and a loop for hanging. Pot holders are also used as a symbol of cultural movements, such as the United States Abolitionist Movement.

Materials used to make hot pot holders

A pot holder is a piece of textile or silicone used to cover the hand when holding hot kitchen equipment, such as pots and pans. They are often made from polyester, cotton, or wool, and sometimes feature a rubber surface on one side to improve grip.

When made from textile fabric, pot holders typically have an inner layer of thermally insulating material sandwiched between more decorative outer layers. The most common type of pot holder is square-shaped, with slightly rounded corners and a textile loop at one corner for hanging.

Cotton

Cotton is a commonly used material for pot holders. It can be used to crochet pot holders, or as a fabric for quilted pot holders.

Polyester

Polyester is another frequently used material for pot holders. Like cotton, it can be used for crocheted or quilted pot holders.

Wool

Wool is a unique material for pot holders because it is flame-resistant. It has a high ignition temperature of over 1,000°F (537°C) and does not spread flames. When wool is heated, it forms a protective char on the outside, which can be wiped off when it cools.

Silicone

Silicone is a popular choice for pot holders because it is heat-resistant and non-slip. It is often used for oven mitts and hot pads.

Quilt Batting

Quilt batting is a type of insulation material that can be used to make pot holders. It is typically made from cotton, polyester, or a blend of the two.

Insul-Bright

Insul-Bright is a highly insulating polyester material that is specifically designed to be heat-resistant. It is often used as the insulating layer in quilted pot holders.

Fabric Scraps

Fabric scraps can be used to make DIY pot holders. Heavier fabrics, such as denim, cotton, linen, or canvas, are ideal. Lightweight fabrics should be avoided as they do not provide sufficient heat protection.

Old Dish Towels

Old dish towels can be used as an alternative to quilt batting for the insulating layer of a pot holder.

Leather

Leather loops can be added to crocheted pot holders to make them easier to hang.

The history of hot pot holders

The hot pot holder, or pot holder, is a piece of textile or silicone used to protect the hand from hot kitchen equipment. They are often made from polyester, cotton, or wool, and are designed to be heat resistant.

The history of the hot pot holder is tied to various cultural movements and spans centuries. While the exact origins of the hot pot holder are unknown, the earliest records in the United States date back to the early 1800s, when they were made from lace, crochet, and embroidery. During this time, geometric patterns began to emerge, replacing the use of lace.

In the mid-19th century, the first homemade potholders appeared during the Antislavery Bazaars, adorned with the phrase "Any holder but a Slave Holder." This marked the beginning of the pot holder as a symbol of political expression and a way for women to associate themselves with the abolitionist movement.

The popularity of pot holders grew with the proliferation of magazines, which began featuring patterns for "teapot holders" that closely resembled the modern pot holder. However, early models had limited insulation capabilities, and it wasn't until the 1970s that quilting and applique-made pot holders with better insulation became popular.

Throughout the 20th century, pot holders became a common household item, often associated with home crafting and needlework. They were regularly featured in advertisements, showcasing a trendy young woman using pot holders to handle hot pots and pans.

During World War II, Japanese Americans interned in camps created pot holders from various coloured fabrics, reflecting their culture and adding a touch of colour to their otherwise bland surroundings.

Today, pot holders continue to be an essential kitchen tool, providing protection from heat-related injuries. They come in various materials, colours, and designs, and can be found in kitchens around the world.

Common uses of hot pot holders

Hot pot holders are used to cover the hand when holding hot kitchen equipment, such as pots and pans. They are usually made from polyester, cotton, or silicone, and are designed to offer protection from high temperatures. Here are some common uses of hot pot holders:

• Protection from Heat: Hot pot holders are primarily used to protect your hands from hot surfaces when cooking or handling kitchen utensils. They are made of heat-resistant materials, such as silicone or quilted fabric, to provide a barrier between your hand and hot cookware. This helps prevent burns and makes handling hot items safer.
• Grip and Handling: Hot pot holders often have a textured or rubberised surface that improves your grip on pots, pans, and other kitchen utensils. This feature allows you to handle hot items with greater control and stability, reducing the risk of accidents or spills.
• Versatility: Hot pot holders can be used for various tasks in the kitchen. They can be wrapped around pot handles, used to grip oven trays, or even placed under hot dishes as trivets or coasters. Some hot pot holders are flexible enough to be used as jar openers or to grip hot lids.
• Kitchen Decor and Gifts: Apart from their functional purposes, hot pot holders can also be decorative items in your kitchen. They come in various colours, patterns, and designs, adding a touch of personality to your space. Homemade hot pot holders are often given as gifts, and they are popular items for home decor.
• Commercial and Professional Use: In addition to domestic kitchens, hot pot holders are used in commercial kitchens and by culinary professionals. They are a form of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and help protect kitchen staff from heat-related injuries. However, it is important to note that pot holders can be a source of cross-contamination if not sanitised properly between uses.

How to make a hot pot holder

A pot holder is a piece of textile or silicone used to cover the hand when holding hot kitchen equipment, such as pots and pans. They are often made of polyester and/or cotton, and sometimes silicone. They are also frequently crafted from wool, as it has a high ignition temperature and is flame-resistant.

Now, let's get into how to make one!

Materials:

• Cotton or linen fabric scraps
• Lightweight cotton quilt batting
• Thermal batting (like Insul-bright)
• Bias tape maker & Wonder Clips (optional, but easier!)
• Coordinating thread

Steps:

Cut out the following pieces from your fabric:

• Cut two 9″ squares from fabric
• Cut two 9″ x 6 1/2″ rectangles from fabric
• Cut one 9″ square from thermal batting
• Cut one 9″ square and one 9″ x 6 1/2″ rectangle from quilt batting
• Cut and make 1/2″ double-fold bias binding about 45″ long (2″ wide when unfolded)

• Place the squares of fabric wrong sides together, and sandwich the squares of thermal batting and quilt batting between the layers. Quilt through all layers by sewing horizontal lines, spaced about 1 1/2″ apart, across the width of the potholder.
• Place the smaller rectangles of fabric wrong sides together, and sandwich the rectangle of quilt batting between these layers. Quilt through all layers by sewing horizontal lines, spaced about 1 1/2″ apart, across the width of the potholder. This will be the pocket piece.
• Trim the uneven edges of the quilted pieces using a rotary cutter. Straight, even edges are more important than perfect 9″ squares. If you need to make them a little smaller to even up the edges, that’s okay!
• Add bias binding to one long edge of the pocket piece. Place one raw edge of the bias binding right sides together with the pocket edge. Stitch with a 1/2″ seam allowance, in the first fold of the bias binding. Press the binding up.
• Fold the binding over and line up the folded edge on the back of the pocket so that it covers the stitching line from the front and extends about 1/8″ beyond it. Clip or pin it in place. On the front side of the pocket, stitch in the ditch (where the seams meet), catching the back side of the binding in the stitching. This can be tricky, so it may be best to hand-stitch the back side of the binding.
• Place the pocket on the square potholder piece and pin it in place. Begin sewing the binding to the top left corner of the potholder, right sides together as you did on the pocket. At each corner, stop and fold the fabric 90° and tuck it under the presser foot. Make a couple of stitches, catching the folded corner. Leave the needle down, and pivot the potholder. Move the binding so that you don’t catch any extra layers as you round the corner. Continue sewing the binding until you reach the first corner. Stop and backstitch right at the edge of the first line of binding.
• Trim the corners, then press and fold the binding to the back, lining it up about 1/8″ past the first line of binding stitching, as you did with the pocket. Use sewing clips or pins to secure. Trim the beginning of the binding to meet the edge of the potholder, and trim the end, leaving a 6″ tail. Tuck the beginning edge into the tail binding, and fold the end of the binding tail around and tuck it in the corner to form a loop.
• Hand-stitching the back of the binding is preferable, but you can also machine stitch. If you machine stitch, topstitch along the folded edges of the tail and tuck it back in. Machine stitch on the front of the potholder, in the ditch, all the way around, stopping to make nice tucks in the corners as you go. Alternatively, hand-stitch the back of the binding using a ladder stitch. You can also tack down the corners with little hand stitches. When you get to the loop, hand-stitch all of the loose edges, including the inside of the loop.

And there you have it! You now know how to make a simple, square hot pot holder. Feel free to experiment with different fabrics, colours, and patterns to create a unique, personalised pot holder.

Where to buy hot pot holders

Hot pot holders are a form of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) used in kitchen settings to protect hands from hot kitchen equipment such as pots and pans. They are usually made from polyester, cotton, or silicone, and are available in a variety of colours and designs.

You can buy hot pot holders from a variety of retailers, including:

Amazon

Amazon offers a wide range of hot pot holders, including:

• KitchenAid Ribbed Soft Silicone Water Resistant Pot Holder Set, Milkshake, 2 Piece Set, 7"x9"
• Lodge Silicone Hot Handle Holder, Dishwasher Safe, Red, 9 Inches+
• Joyhalo 4 Pack Pot Holders for Kitchen, Grey
• Ritz Terry Potholder & Hot Pad, Black, 2-Pack
• KitchenAid Beacon Two-Tone Non-Slip Pot Holder Set, Milkshake/Beige, 7"x10", 2 Piece
• All-Clad Premium Pot Holder & Heating Pad, (2-Pack), Pewter
• Rorecay Silicone Pot Holders Sets, Gray, Pack of 2
• OXO Good Grips Silicone Pot Holder, Black
• KitchenAid Albany Pot Holder 2-Pack Set, Charcoal Grey, 7"x10"
• YEKOO 2 PCS Gray Pot Holders Sets for Kitchen, 8"x8.5"

Etsy

Etsy offers a range of handmade and personalised hot pot holders, such as:

• Sublimation Hot Pad, Sublimate, Pot Holder Blank, Sublimation Blank, Oven Mitt, Hot Pad, Cricut Blank
• Turkish Handmade Decorative Trivet Pot Holder, Kitchen Counter Top Hot Pad, 7" /18cm Ceramic Trivet Scratch Proof Heat Resistant Housewarming Gift
• Personalized Pot Holder, Hot Pad, Oven Mitt, Custom Kitchen Pot Holder, Gift Set With Baking Mix And Spatula, Modern Kitchen Mitts
• Cloth Hot Plate Pad, Handmade Hot Mat Trivet, Hot Pot Holder, Cook Gift, Handmade Pot Holder, 9"x13" Hot Mat, Fabric Pad

Target

Target offers a range of oven mitts and pot holders, including quilted oven mitts and silicone oven mitts. They also offer oven mitt and pot holder sets in the same pattern.

Frequently asked questions