What is potholder: what is it intended for and where is it used

In any kitchen, you can find just a lot of different accessories and utensils that fulfill specific functions. In fact, you can even figure out the purpose of each of them by their appearance.

However, in the kitchen everything is always clear, and most of the items are known to all of us and are even quite intensively used in everyday life. Of course, we all know what an oven mitt is, but if you are still not familiar with this useful and practical product, this article is for you.

Potholder - what kind of animal is it?

A potholder is an accessory designed to grip an object, usually hot. Usually this is the handle of a frying pan or pots, a baking sheet, a turkey and other kitchen utensils in which we cook any dishes. This is ideal when you need to remove a pot from the stove or take a sheet out of the oven.

The potholder is an indispensable tool in every kitchen. Its main task is to prevent a person's hands from being burned in contact with hot surfaces.

instagram viewer

You can buy it both in stores and make it yourself - sew, knit. There are so many options that your eyes simply run up - for every taste, wallet.

The reason for the appearance and who invented it

It is unlikely that this discovery was included in the annals of history, so we will not know for sure the name of the discoverer. Although it can be assumed that something similar appeared when a person began to cook food on an open fire. Realizing that taking a hot pot is not so easy, someone very resourceful, probably grabbed some piece of fabric and off we go.

It is absolutely not necessary to exclude that once the potholders were made of animal fur and skin, or even something more unusual. But this will forever remain a mystery. The main thing is that the idea not only found its implementation, but also reached our time, having significantly improved.

In the past, such a household item was made with their own hands, and for this they used pieces of yarn, materials, various fabric trimmings.

Around the 1920s, the potholder lost its practicality, because for its creation used lace, which was not entirely rational and was more intended for decoration than for protection from burns.

Over the course of the 30s, the product received a new life, since various patterns, patterns and ornaments began to be embroidered on the potholders. Already in the 40s, whole sets appeared in kitchens: aprons, baskets, towels, small pillows, potholders, curtains, which were made in the same style and in the same color scheme. All this significantly changed the interior of the room and added coziness.

The 50s were just a breakthrough for such a primitive product as an oven mitt. It was then that patterns and knitting patterns appeared in magazines, thanks to which it was very easy to create your favorite version with your own hands. Passionate housewives and needlewomen quickly picked up the idea and began to create exclusive models that adorned kitchens. At the same time, they began to sew potholders in labor lessons at school.

Potholder in modern times

Today, the accessory can be found in almost every kitchen. The potholder has taken on a more aesthetic appearance and is made of durable materials. There are models made of textiles or silicone. The latter options are much more practical and durable, but also more expensive - these are heat-resistant novelties that can be washed in dishwashers and used for as long as possible.

In general, this is a pretty useful and practical thing that will surely find application in any kitchen. This is not only a pleasant and original decor, but also excellent protection against burns and injuries.