For years, I had a horrible habit of grabbing the nearest kitchen towel when it was time to remove something from the oven. I must admit that method resulted in a few mishaps, including mild burns.
I finally decided it was time to buy oven gloves. However, it wasn’t as simple as I expected it to be. Things have changed in recent years, and there are now many types to choose from. After some research, I finally settled on the best oven gloves for my needs.
If you are searching for an oven gloves, this will guide you on your journey.
Materials
First, let’s take a look at the different types of materials oven gloves are made from. These range from cotton to aramid. Which is best for you will depend on your preferences and how you intend to use them.
1. Cotton 
Pros:
- Classic
- Inexpensive
- Machine washable
Cons:
- Bulky
- Not water resistant
- Not as heat resistant as other options
- Only available as oven mitts
Best for:
This type of oven mitt is a good option if you cook casually. If you are on a tight budget, or you like to stick with the classics.
Unfortunately, they are not typically available as oven gloves.
Cotton oven mitts were the type your mother had. Of course, she didn’t have a choice, either. Cotton mitts are still popular today, and with good reason.
They are inexpensive, and have a classic look. They can be made in any type of cotton fabric, which creates endless design options.
Cotton oven mitts will provide some protection from heat, but not as much as other types of material. In fact, cotton catches fire at 205 degrees. Today’s cotton mitts have a fire resistant coating.
They are typically bulkier than other types, because more cotton is needed to protect your hands. This bulkiness and the smoothness of the fabric can make gripping items more difficult.
2. Terry Cloth Oven Mitts
Pros:
- Soft and comfortable
- Better heat resistance than cotton
- Provides better grip than cotton
Cons:
- Not ideal for very high temperatures
- Not water resistant
- Only available as oven mitts
Best For:
If you enjoy cotton oven mitts but want something less bulky, or a mitt with a bit more grip, terry cloth oven mitts are for you.
I love terry cloth towels, but terry cloth oven mitts? That was a surprise to me. It turns out that terry cloth actually stands up to heat better than flat fabrics.
The terry cloth material grips better than cotton, and feels less bulky when in use. Best of all, terry cloth feels wonderful on your skin.
Terry cloth is more absorbent than cotton, but it doesn’t provide actual water resistance. Most terry cloth mitts can withstand temperatures of 400 degrees or more.
3. Neoprene Oven Gloves
Pros:
- Flexible
- Offers higher dexterity
- Better heat resistance than cotton
- Waterproof
Cons:
- Unpleasant smell
- Not good for prolonged heat exposure
Best For:
Neoprene oven gloves are perfect if you work with high heat, steam, or boiling oil.
Neoprene is a surprising material for oven mitts at first glance. After all, you probably think of neoprene diving suits when you hear the word. However, it is both waterproof and heat resistant.
It’s also highly flexible. If you want a form fitting mitt that provides you with grip and dexterity, neoprene is a good choice. Neoprene oven gloves are typically rated to 500 degrees.
One of the best aspects of neoprene is the ease of keeping them clean. They don’t absorb stains like cotton or terry cloth. You’ll never need to wait for them to dry. Just wash with soap and water, and they are good to go.
The downside of neoprene gloves is they aren’t good for extended heat resistance. If you are moving a hot pan, for example, they are a great choice. However, if you need to hold the hot pan for several minutes, they will not work well for you.
The smell can also be off putting. It does go away with time, but it can be a bit unpleasant.
4. Silicone Oven Gloves
Pros:
- Water resistant
- Reasonable heat resistance
- Easy to clean
- Easier to find than neoprene gloves
Cons:
- Uncomfortable without cotton lining
- Not as flexible as neoprene
Best for:
Silicone gloves are a good option if you want more protection than cotton offers.
Silicone oven gloves are similar to neoprene varieties. They are not quite as flexible as neoprene. When it comes to heat resistance, silicone performs fairly well. They are heat resistant to 450 degrees.
Silicone gloves can become dry and stiff over time. However, this requires a lot of use.
If the mitts are made of only silicone, they can be difficult to take on and off. Silicone isn’t particularly comfortable when worn, either. However, silicone mitts with a cotton lining overcome these challenges.
Of course, you are sacrificing some flexibility, but they still provide a good grip, similar to neoprene.
Like neoprene, they are water resistant. This makes them easy to clean with soap and water. They also keep you safe from boiling water and grease splatters.
5. Aramid
Pros:
- Good heat resistance
- Waterproof
- Durable
Cons:
- Not as common
- Not sold as mitts
Best For:
Aramid gloves are good for those who work around high heat and need durable oven gloves.
You may not have heard of aramid, but you are sure to know it by its other name, Kevlar. Most aramid gloves also contain a similar material, known as nomex.
This combination gives excellent heat resistance, to at least 500 degrees. It also protects against steam and hot oil, because it is water resistant.
6. Leather Oven Gloves
Pros:
- Best heat resistance
- Flexibility
- Highly durable
Cons:
- Requires regular care and maintenance
- Generally, the most expensive type of oven mitt
Best For:
Leather oven gloves are great if you grill or handle very hot items. This makes it worth the extra expense.
Leather is known for being a strong, durable material. However, you may not be aware that it’s also very heat resistant. Leather oven gloves are generally heat resistant to 572 degrees.
Many materials will provide heat protection for a few seconds, and then begin allowing some heat to transfer through. However, leather doesn’t seem to have this problem.
In addition to being used in cooking, some factories use leather gloves for their heat resistance. Another advantage is that the mitts don’t have to be thick and bulky to be effective.
Oven Gloves By Function
When it comes to oven gloves, you may consider the material you prefer first. However, if you need oven gloves that offer a specific type of protection, it can be helpful to think of them by function.
7. Cut Resistant
Pros:
- Great heat protection
- Protection from cuts and other injuries
- Blend of materials
Cons:
- Can be difficult to find
- Usually more expensive than other types
Best For:
Cut resistant gloves are great if you do a lot of cutting or slicing.
Cut-resistant gloves offer protection when using a knife in the kitchen. If you’ve ever accidentally cut yourself while cooking, you may want to consider cut-resistant gloves.
These gloves offer the best of both worlds. They will protect your hands from heat, while also ensuring that you avoid cuts and injuries when cooking.
These are typically made from two or three different materials to provide all the protection you need.
8. Water Resistant
Pros:
- Protection from hot steam or oil
- Easy to clean
- No need to dry
Cons:
- Some are not machine washable
Best For:
Water resistant gloves are best if you need protection from hot steam or grease.
Water resistant gloves offer several advantages. They will protect your hands from steam and hot oil. They are typically easy to clean, because they don’t absorb water or other liquids.
Most types of oven gloves are water resistant. However, cotton or terry cloth mitts are not.
9. High Heat Resistant
Pros:
- Can withstand temperatures up to 900 degrees
- Flexible
- May also be cut resistant
Cons:
- Fewer style options available
Best For:
These gloves are best if you are working with high heat or open flames. They are also great if you need to hold hot objects for an extended amount of time.
Most oven gloves range in temperature protection from 300-500 degrees. This is perfect for most kitchens. However, if you find yourself working around open flames or very high temperatures, you’ll need high heat gloves.
If you need to hold hot objects for an extended period of time, you may also find these useful. Most oven gloves are designed for short contact with hot surfaces.
Oven Glove Alternatives
Oven gloves are great to have. They allow you to use your fingers, and grip hot objects. However, they aren’t right for every situation.
It takes a few moments to slip gloves on and off. Oven mitts are typically faster to put on, but don’t provide dexterity.
In addition to standard oven mitts and oven gloves, there are a few other alternatives you may want to have in your kitchen.
Pot Holder
Pros:
- Don’t have to take them on and off
- Place under hot pots and pans
- Plenty of designs and options to choose from
Cons:
- Can make it difficult to hold onto objects
- Can result in burns if not used properly
Best For:
These are the best option if you want something inexpensive that you can grab instead of slip on.
Pot holders are a classic option, and are actually used by many chefs. Instead of slipping gloves on and off, you simply grab the potholder.
One advantage of pot holders is that you can place them under hot pans, and then sit them on your counter.
This does have some disadvantages. They provide no protection for your wrist and forearm. They can make it difficult to hold onto objects. If the pot holder slips, or doesn’t cover your hand properly, a burn can happen easily.
They are typically made from cotton, which offers less heat protection than other materials. However, they can also be made from silicone.
Mini Oven Mitt
Pros:
- Easy to put on
- Inexpensive
Cons:
- Not as much protection as gloves or full mitts
Best For:
Mini oven mitts are a good choice if you have a difficult time putting on regular oven mitts or gloves.
Mini oven mitts are essentially half oven mitts. Instead of covering your entire hand, they cover your fingers. This makes them easier to put on than traditional oven mitts.
The disadvantage is that they don’t provide as much protection, since they don’t cover your entire hand.
Towel Mitt
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Use as a towel and pot holder
- Attractive color options
Cons:
- Limits dexterity more than gloves
- Doesn’t provide high heat protection
Best For:
A towel mitt is best if you don’t want to put on gloves or a pot holder. It’s also a good idea if you have limited space in your kitchen, since it does more than one thing.
A towel mitt is a cross between a towel and an oven mitt or pot holder. They are typically towel sized, and designed to withstand heat. They have pockets on each corner that allows you to slip your hands inside, similar to a oven mitt.
These are surprisingly useful. If you don’t want to put on oven gloves but need the protection they offer, consider this option. The larger size can also protect your body from heat when removing things from the oven.
Many can be used for drying dishes, placing hot pans on, and removing hot foods from the oven.
Pinch Grip
Pros:
- Easy to put on
- Provides a good grip
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- Doesnt provide full hand protection
Best For:
Pinch grip mitts are best if you don’t want to wear gloves or mitts. They are great if you want a strong grip.
Pinch grip mitts are another type of mini oven mitts. Mini oven mitts are typically made of cotton. This type is made from silicone. Like mini oven mitts, they fit over your fingers, and leave your hand exposed.
The good thing about these mitts is that they provide a great grip. They are made from silicone, and have a textured surface to help you hold onto things.