When you’re cooking with fire, there’s a chance you could get burned!
To minimize this risk and keep your hands and arms from sustaining an injury, you’re going to want a quality pair of oven mitts.
These are my top picks. They’ll keep your hands (and arms) nice and safe when cooking with this high heat material. Check them out at Amazon.
If you frequently cook with a cast iron pan, it’s a good idea to look for oven mitts that can withstand the high heat conducted by cast iron.
Learn about the best budget-friendly cast iron cast iron cookware.
Don’t get burned—use oven mitts with cast iron!
Cast iron cooking can seem like a daunting task. If you aren’t familiar with the intricacies of cast iron cookware. Once you get a hang of it, you’ll quickly come to understand the level of heat you’re dealing with.
To prevent this high heat from causing burns, I recommend investing in a pair of oven mitts specially designed for cast iron cooking.
The best oven mitts for cast iron should be resistant to heat above the regular temperature threshold for oven mitts. Your standard cloth mitts aren’t going to cut it! They might also be longer than your typical oven mitt to prevent forearm burns, which many cooks are prone to getting when they deal with oven baking.
Why do I need a different oven mitt for cast iron cooking?
For regular cooking and baking at the usual 350° to 450°F, many commercially produced oven mitts are sufficient to ensure your hands are protected as you handle hot pans, pots, and baking sheets fresh out of the oven.
With cast iron cooking, you’re usually going to be dealing with higher temperatures that come close to or exceed 500° to 550°F!
This level of heat is going to require a much more protective oven mitt, so you don’t land yourself a one-way ticket to the emergency room on account of a second or third-degree burn.
If the oven mitts at your local stores don’t seem to be thick enough to protect you from burns, you might consider ordering from online retailers. Many carry oven mitts specially designed for high-temperature cooking. These specialty oven mitts are heat-resistant to temperatures above 500°F, setting them apart from other mitts that are likely to crumble (or burn or catch fire) at those temperatures.
What qualities will a great oven mitt for cast iron have?
For cast iron cooking, picking an oven mitt that has these features will help ensure your safety in the kitchen:
- An oven mitt designed for cast iron cooking should be able to withstand the heat of a very hot oven. Ideally, the mitt will be able to withstand the high heat for at least a few minutes before heating up inside the glove (and therefore heating up your hand). An oven mitt that disperses heat well enough to keep you from being burned within seconds is a good oven mitt for cast iron cooking.
- The oven mitt should be long enough to go up the forearm. The best mitts protect that area of skin, not just your hand. Long mitts are perfect for when you’re lifting a heavy cast iron pan out of the oven in an uncomfortable or irregular position.
- The mitt should be durable but also designed for hassle-free cleaning. It goes without saying that every cook knows it’s almost impossible to keep a pair of oven mitts clean. However, having a pair that can be easily cleaned in the event of a sticky or messy spill is a great feature.
Materials
Oven mitts made for cast iron cooking will be made of a thick material that slows down the transfer of heat from the pan to your hand. The material these mitts are made of may vary.
Kevlar
Some mitts are made of Kevlar (yes, the same material from which bulletproof vests are made). Kevlar is extremely flame- and heat-resistant but does not lose its form when exposed to high temperatures. This material is light and easy to manipulate, so you won’t feel constricted as you’re lifting a heavy cast iron pan from the oven.
Silicone
Others are made of a silicone exterior and a cotton lining. A removable, machine-washable lining makes cleaning the oven mitt much easier. This type of oven mitt can be helpful if you anticipate your cooking getting messy and splashy. Additionally, silicone is great for gripping the cast iron.
Welding gloves
If silicone gloves or other insulated oven mitts haven’t been able to stand up to the cast iron test, you might be interested in an unconventional alternative. Many hardware stores stock gloves designed for welding. These gloves are highly durable, extremely heat-resistant, and let the user move their hands around inside the glove. They also make excellent oven mitts for handling cast iron pans.
Recommendations
G & F 1682 Dupont Nomex Heat Resistant Gloves
These gloves by G & F are made from DuPont Nomex and Kevlar heat- and flame-resistant fibers. They are designed with cooking, grilling, baking, and even using a fireplace, in mind. Able to withstand temperatures up to 480°F, the long design ensures your wrists, as well as your hands, are protected.
Its heat-resistant and flexible mitt glove that provides grip on fingers and can withstand extremely high temperatures. It is suitable for use in stovetop, barbecue, oven, and grill. It has its exterior made of aramid and cotton lining on the interior that is sweat-resistant and breathable thus enhancing your perspiration. Don’t use it when wet as water would conduct heat to the inside.
Both sides feature a silicone palm to provide extra heat resistance and help you maintain a good grip. A five-finger design gives you added control as you cook, bake, and grill. One thing I particularly like about these gloves is that they are suitable for righties and lefties.
These also include a breathable, sweat-resistant cotton and polyester blend lining, so you perspiration isn’t an issue. The G & F gloves are machine-washable.
HOMWE Silicone Oven Mitts
For a 100% FDA Approved & BPA Free silicone option, check out these mitts by HOMWE, approved for temperatures of up to 450°F. The silicone is non-slip and waterproof, so you shouldn’t have an issue keeping a hold on your cast iron pan. They are also easy to clean, as you can throw them into the dishwasher along with your pots and pans. A quilted liner provides extra comfort and heat protection.
The product protects you from burns and scalds while cooking. It’s long with a soft liner that prevents scalds especially while cooking on the stovetop. It’s heat-resistant, and it can withstand a temperature of 450 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s made of FDA-certified silicone materials thus it is waterproof and non-toxic. The exterior is rugged hence enhancing the gripping power to enable your fingers to grasp perfectly.
The HOMEW gloves feature an extra-long design and measure a little over 14 inches, so your wrists and arms will be safe from steam and flare-ups. The only downside is that they don’t employ a five-finger design, instead opting to use the more traditional mitt-shape.
Grill Armor Oven Mitts
You may not be jousting or saving princesses, but when you cook with cast iron, you need armor. The ambidextrous Knight’s Armor oven mitts tolerate an impressively-high temperature: 932ºF! Kevlar and Nomex fibers and an interior cotton liner offer superior protection, and the silicone grips give you the non-slip control you need.
Grill Armor oven mitt provides the highest heat protection when baking, grilling and cooking. It has a unique design with a perfect body made with high-quality materials that protect the hand from the unwanted burns and uncomfortable heat. Knight armor oven mitt comes with elegant design and is easy to clean, machine washable, and has a hook for easy storage. It is comfortable, thick but light in weight. The five finger designed glove is insulated to avoid catching fire when exposed to an open flame.
These gloves aren’t quite as long as some of the other models out there, but they do cover your wrists. If you are using cast iron on a grill, you should certainly consider grabbing a pair! They also double as a Trivet Mat.
LauKingdom BBQ Grilling Cooking Gloves
LauKingdom also produces gloves approved for heat up to 932ºF. This is possible owing to a layered design that combines heat-resistant fibers, latex, and cotton for superior thermal protection. The Armid fibers are similar to those used by professional firefighters, though the manufacturers don’t recommend sticking your hand in an open flame. (Seriously, don’t do that).
Don’t worry lefties, these gloves can be used on either hand.
The Laukingdom BBQ gloves can withstand extreme temperature up to 932 Fahrenheit. This represents a true innovation in heat protection for an oven, stovetop and outdoor grill. Its material consists of Nomex and Kevlar fibers which when combined can slow the rise in temperature when handling hot items. They are preferred for handling super-hot items in the kitchen for example while smoking, grilling, baking or cooking.
Whether you’re cooking bread in a cast iron Dutch oven or tending the grill, these gloves will protect your hands and forearms as you handle super hot items in the kitchen and outdoors.
Grill Armor Extreme Heat Resistant Oven Gloves
Grill Armor makes excellent heat-resistant gloves, perfect for cast iron cooking. They have the highest heat resistance available, up to 932°F, due to its durable construction with Nomex and Kevlar fabrics. They’re guaranteed to not melt or catch fire when exposed to an open flame. They’re also insulated with cotton lining for maximum comfort and heat absorption.
While they’re fairly thick gloves, they are still very flexible and are designed with dexterity in mind. With five individual fingers and silicone grips around the exterior, handling heavy cast iron cooking jobs isn’t an issue for these gloves.
It consists of a composite yarn knitted fire resistance. The gloves do not melt or drip when exposed to open flame. It’s an excellent heat protector and has a good performance which is stable and does not minimize as time goes by. It is heat-resistant designed to keep hands comfortable and protected when in contact with extremely hot flames.
These oven mitts come in a range of sizes, including long cuff for extra arm protection – a great idea if you’re cooking with oil especially. They also come in four colors: black, red, gray, and blue.
These gloves are machine washable and come with a hook for storage. They also have a money back satisfaction guarantee. This is a great purchase of a reliable, durable product.
Grill Master Gloves BBQ/Grill Gloves
These grill gloves from Grill Master offer the same extreme heat resistance as the last pick, up to 932°F, as they are made of the same materials firefighters use in their suits. You can be assured that these gloves will perform in just about any high heat situation.
They’re also lined with cotton and are slightly thinner than the above option, making it easier for your hands and arms to breathe and be comfortable while cooking with cast iron. This also makes them much easier to get on and off.
This pair of gloves is machine washable and comes in blue, black or gray. Your purchase comes with a free book of barbecue recipes as well – an awesome added bonus for anyone who enjoys a day out on the grill.
Simdevanma Oven Gloves Heat Resistant Cooking Mitts
These cooking gloves from Simdevanma offer the perfect balance of performance and affordability. Although they have one of the great value for the price points on the list, don’t let that deter you! These gloves are highly rated by users and one of the best selling products at Amazon.
Perhaps this is because these gloves are built to withstand any and every tough cooking situation. They offer forearm protection and impressive heat protection (that 932°F maximum mark), but also cut resistance, which is a unique and useful feature for cooking gloves. This lets you work with large, sharp knives without worry as you’re cooking your cast iron dinner.
These gloves come with the same amount of dexterity you’d expect from other oven mitts, but they are surprisingly lightweight. They also have safety silicone grips for easy transport and safe handling.
Use these gloves as traditional oven mitts, barbecue mitts, fireplace setup, wood burning stove projects, dutch ovens, or even welding. They are machine washable, so any stains you get from these projects will be gone in no time. These gloves are one of my favorite picks on the list.
Grill Heat Aid Extreme Heat Resistant Grill Gloves
These gloves are also super heat-resistant, making that mark of a maximum 932°F mark. Feel free to use these with charcoal, propane, oil, wood, the fireplace, and more!
Both of these mitts are made with aramid fabric, which is the material used in most of the above-mentioned gloves as well that gives them this superior heat protection. It also makes them incredibly durable.
These gloves from Grill Heat Aid come in a wide variety of colors, and can’t be beat when it comes to their satisfaction guarantee. They will either refund or replace your set if you’re not completely happy with the performance of your gloves!
VlixIt BBQ Oven Gloves
Another great set of heat-resistant gloves are from VlixIt. These are super thick, but lightweight gloves made from that aramid fabric that makes them very heat-resistant. While these don’t seem as heat-resistant as the rest (reviewers say they perform up until about 450 degrees), they are still great for light cooking jobs with your cast iron. The manufacturer also guarantees that they will not catch fire when exposed to an open flame.
They also cover up a large portion of your wrist and arm, giving them a great advantage over others. Their silicone grips around the edge ensure safety when handling cookware, and they are very easy to wash. Just toss them in the washer, and hang them up to dry. These gloves are highly rated and recommended among owners and users, so this should be a great purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the recommended way of washing the oven mitts?
I would suggest you remove your oven mitts in laundry machine or with hands. Use the cotton 40 degrees program on your device. When cleaning the gloves, use hot water with your preferred laundry detergent. The essential consideration is to make sure that grease and food gunk doesn’t build up on the gloves, as it would cause a hot spot on the mitt. However, if it happens, you need to clean them most preferably by use of a washing machine.
What standard material is used in making oven mitts?
Oven mitts are designed to withstand high cast iron temperatures. Some are made of Kevlar materials that are resistant to flame and heat. Kevlar material is also used in making bulletproof vests, and it maintains its form when exposed to extremely high temperatures. Also, silicone is used in making the exterior of oven gloves. It is easier to clean since it has a cotton lining that is washable by machine. Oven mitts made of welding gloves are extremely heat-resistant, durable, and they are perfect in handling the cast iron
What is the best way to dry oven mitts for cast iron?
After removing the gloves from the washing machine, wring it thoroughly but very lightly to remove excess water and place it on a hanging line or a drying rack to air dry. The heat will eventually penetrate the gloves if used when it’s not completely dry- therefore ensure it is air dry before use.
How should I remove stains in my oven mitts?
To remove stains entirely on your gloves, you use a stain remover to dab it over the stain and let it rest for several minutes. Depending on the pre-wash stain remover used, the time it takes to remove the stain will vary, and so I would recommend you to follow the instructions for the stain remover. Also, you can use a soft toothbrush the rub of the stain.
What are the features of a fantastic oven mitt for cast iron?
A perfect oven mitt should withstand extremely high temperatures. It should withstand high heat for some minutes before heating the inside and eventually your hand. If it can disperse heat uniformly to keep you from the danger of being burned, then it makes a right mitt for cast iron. Also, it should be able to protect the skin but not just the hand. Long oven gloves are excellent especially if you want to lift heavy cast iron skillet. Besides, it should be durable and easy to clean.
Most importantly, be safe!
Stay safe in the kitchen! Cast iron cooking requires you to exercise caution whenever you work with hot temperatures.
In the mood for Italian? See my recipe for cast iron skillet pizza and calzones cooked on the grill in a cast iron skillet.
Image credit via Flickr Creative Commons: Nic M. and Naotake M.
I have used leather welding gloves and leather hot pads for years with my cast iron cookware and bakeware.
I have always been very pleased with the safety from using leather products.
Hello Amy,
Which of the gloves/mitts did you tested personally?
I am looking for a pair of gloves/mitts that withstand 500F from a cast iron skillet (each one of the Lodge 3.2qt combo cooker) for at least 8 seconds.
I bought a pair of gloves that were labeled resistent at 482F for 21 seconds but at that temperature I could feel the heat after 4 seconds.
Thanks.
Domenico: Thanks for responding. We tested all the gloves and mitts personally. The Grill Armor Extreme Heat-Resistant Gloves have the highest heat-resistant available–over 900F, which should protect your hands (and wrists, as the gloves extend further up to protect them, too) for at least 8 seconds holding a 500F cast iron skillet. I hope these work out for you–you can check out these gloves on Amazon (link above in article). Good luck!