On the Cutting Edge – With Silicone Potholder / Trivets!
Written: May 31 '04 (Updated Nov 10 '07)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: silicone, flexible, heat-resistant to 675-degrees F., dishwasher safe, lots of color choices
Cons: Awkward as a potholder – Best trivet I’ve used!
The Bottom Line: These silicone potholder/trivits are a great investment. And they last!
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| dlstewart's Full Review: Silicone Trivet/Potholder |
My mother is the supreme collector of kitchen gadgets. She loves the new and unusual. So you can imagine what happened when she saw these silicone potholders in the Betty Crocker catalog last year. Not only did she order silicone potholders for herself ... but she thought ahead to the holidays and purchased potholders and other silicone cookware for family members.
Description
This silicone potholder resembles a floppy 7" square that is 1/8" thick. The potholder feels rubbery and is smooth with the exception of 1/2" circular bumps on both sides. Even the bumps are smooth to the touch. The bumps are in a grid pattern that is 6 bumps x 7 bumps. In the corner where the 42nd bump should be, instead there is a 1/2" circular hole for hanging.
Designed to withstand, 675-degrees F., these potholders are excellent protection for both hands, countertops and other surfaces. They are also dishwasher safe.
These potholders come in a variety of colors. My mother purchased a pretty yellow for herself and me, a forest green for my sister-in-law (which matches her cookware color), and also purchased the green for my aunt. Not every store offers all the colors available for these silicone potholders. Betty Crocker catalog color choices include: blue, red, yellow, black, forest green, lime green, white and clear. Amazon.com also offers: gray, orange, purple and light blue. Kitchenetc. Com also offers a light jade green.
My Experiences
potholder
This is not my favorite potholder. The silicone square feels awkward in my hand. It’s an excellent potholder in that it provides great heat protection. However, I find it cumbersome to hold and prefer cloth potholders to this one.
trivet
My favorite trivet! When a hot dish is headed for the countertop or table, I grab this silicone potholder. It protects the Formica countertops, wooden tabletops as well as cloth and vinyl tablecloths from hot cookware and dishes. The raised bumps are also great if dishes weep condensation. The condensation drops between the bumps and stays there rather than puddling beneath the dish. I choose these silicone potholder/trivets over any of my other trivets.
non-skid grabber
Sometimes mixing bowls, cutting boards or cookie sheets go sliding across the table when I’m trying to keep them still. If I place the mixing bowl, cutting board or other cookware on these trivets, the item stays put. These silicone squares are excellent non-skid pads that also resist high heat.
jar opener
I own rubberized jar openers as well as metal openers that work great. However, these jar openers are usually buried in a drawer. My silicone potholders hang on the refrigerator and are easy to grab. Holding the jar in one hand, and the silicone potholder in the other hand, it is easy to twist a troublesome jar lid open.
spoon rest
This silicone square makes an excellent spoon rest. Granted, it is not as pretty as other spoon rests that I’ve seen. But this large 7" surface can accommodate a variety of spoons. Best yet, the silicone is dishwasher safe. Even hand washing, these silicone pieces are easy to clean.
vibration cushion
When I use my Braun Coffee Grinder on the Formica counter, the motor vibration causes it to dance across the counter surface. However, if I place the grinder on the silicone potholder, it stays in place ... no doing the jig across the countertop.
Likes
* Best trivet I’ve used
* Heat resistant up to 675-degrees
* Non-skid rubberized surface
* Flexible material
* Versatile for other uses
* Easy to hang or store in a drawer
* Can be rolled closed if needed
* Dishwasher safe; easy to clean
Dislikes
The only problem I have with these silicone potholders is that I find them difficult to hold and manipulate as a potholder. The few times I have used them, the heat has not penetrated the silicone – my hands are safe. It’s just awkward for me to use them. I don’t feel I have complete control over what I’m holding. When using them as potholders, I find they are best used to grasp hot pan handles rather than trying to pull something out of an oven. Other people may not feel this way, though. So experiment to see if silicone or cloth potholders are best for you.
Cleaning & Storage
The manufacturer states these silicone squares are dishwasher safe. I have never cleaned them in the dishwasher. However, they clean very easily with a swish of Dawn liquid dishwashing soap. Storage is easy, too. I have a magnetized hook on my refrigerator. Four of these potholders fit on the one hook. Should you need to store them in a drawer or pack them for moving, picnics or camping ... these flexible silicone potholders will lay flat or roll into a tube.
Purchasing
My mother bought these silicone potholder/trivets from the Betty Crocker catalog. Purchasing from the Betty Crocker catalog, you can purchase items outright or obtain a discount by also using Betty Crocker points. (I’ve written a detailed review about the Betty Crocker Catalog and using the points.) Here is Betty Crocker’s pricing:
Buy any 2 colors for $13.99 (with points $10.49)
Buy any 3 colors for $19.99 (with points $14.99)
Buy any 4 colors for $25.99 (with points $19.49)
The Betty Crocker catalog also sells a special 2-piece silicone set that I have not seen elsewhere. The set consists of one 7" square and one 11 1/2" square. The squares come in the same color and are available in blue, red, forest green and clear. This set sells for $21.99 (with points $16.49).
These silicone potholders are now available from a variety of sources. Kitchenetc.com and Amazon.com sell them for $6.99 each. I’ve also seen the silicone potholders in local department stores.
Update -- November 10, 2007
These silicone potholder/trivits are still like new. They aren't even showing stains. I mostly use them as trivits, and they work great.
Summary
When my mother bought these silicone potholders, silicone products had not yet reached the popularity they now hold. If you haven’t yet experimented with silicone products in the kitchen, I recommend trying the potholders first. They are versatile and a joy to have in the kitchen. My mother must have anticipated loving them since she purchased four yellow potholders for herself, and also bought them as gifts for others. To date these potholders have been used on a daily basis and still look like new. They are a must for my kitchen!
I hope you have found this review useful.
Enjoy your day,
Dawn
http://dlstewart.com
Please read my other reviews:
Kitchenetc.com (online store)
Braun Coffee Grinder (and flax seed)
Farberware Cutting Board
Pyrex Round Storage Bowls
Rubbermaid Stain Shield Round 1.1 Quart Storage Container
Mini Measuring Cup
Pyrex 4-cup Measuring Cup
Amco 4-cup Stainless Steel Measuring Cup
Rubbermaid Space-Saver Dish Drainer
West Bend Automatic Egg Cooker
Le Creuset Bean Pot with recipe
Maytag Gemini Double Oven Range
Copyright 2004 Dawn L. Stewart
Recommended:
Yes
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