Pot holders

The word potholders—also correctly written as two words pot holders—exactly describes their purpose: something that helps you hold on to a pot. I suppose it might be even more accurate if they were called hot pot holders.

It is interesting that potholders first appeared commercially at anti-slavery bazaars in the mid-19th century. These crafts were illustrated with various designs and advertised the phrase 'Any holder but a Slave Holder.’ Abolitionists proudly displayed these potholders in their kitchens.

If you search for pot holders today, it is usually the silicone type oven gloves or a simple single silicone pot holder that ranks highest, especially on consumer review sites like Wire Cutter. I have never used a silicone pot holder so I can’t really rank those myself, though I have never been a fan of oven gloves or mitts. I don’t like the idea of my hand reaching for a hot pan while encased in a glove that would not be easy to get out of if the glove doesn’t work as expected. Research shows that a potholder needs to be able to withstand a temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit if it is to protect the user’s hands.

I like a simple pot holder. As a child I was entranced with making pot holders. These were the type where you buy a bag of jersey or cotton loops and weave them on a simple four sided little loom. I don’t know who taught me how to do this—either my mother or my older sister most likely. I loved making these colorful squares that had a useful function.

For a period of time, I made potholders as my first childhood business. I would walk around our neighborhood with my colorful array and sell them to our neighbors. The going price was 25 cents apiece. I didn’t make the Forbes list but it kept me in pot holder loops.

I learned (painfully) firsthand the importance of using a potholder. It was the night before my sabbatical was starting and I guess I was excited and distracted. I opened the oven and with my bare hand grabbed a very hot pan. The pan went flying and I was close to crying. I was alone that evening so I struggled to put ice on my burned fingers until I could drive to the nearby pharmacy and get some bandages and neosporin salve. It hurt worse the second day but I left on sabbatical and my crispy fingers healed. I took a photo of my burned hand to remember that my sabbatical had a very hot beginning!

When we lived in Vermont we had friends who made beautiful quilts. Once a year they would invite friends to their home for the St. Grody’s celebration. You brought your old potholders and tossed them in the bonfire in their backyard and then got to select beautiful new potholders from the stacks they had made with their quilting scraps. Three years later we are still using some of those potholders though they are getting close to needing to be tossed in a bonfire. Covid has put a halt to St. Grody celebrations—plus the fact that we now live 962 miles away. That’s a long way to drive, even for St. Grody!

My granddaughter has learned the potholder making craft and she selects beautiful colors. I have to admit that I treasure the potholder she made so much that I don’t use it, but keep it neatly tucked into the drawer with some older cousin potholders.

I don’t make potholders these days but it could be a hobby I might take up once again some day. I gave away my original little red potholder loom but I think it won’t be difficult to replace it. I think they are sold through the Vermont Country Store catalog or at one of the Mast General Store locations. My little loom was just like the one in the photograph here; the hook was used to finish off the sides.

Yes, pots still get hot and potholders are still a fine and needed addition to any kitchen.