Welcome to my Lodge Silicone Hot Handle Holder Review.
Hot handle holders can be very useful for protecting your hands when you need to hold on to the handle.
Cast Iron handles get very hot, and you need some type of protection when grabbing them.
But is a silicone handle holder the best kind to use?
Let’s find out.
Table of Contents
Lodge Silicone Hot Handle Holder Review
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Product: Silicone hot handle holder
Brand: Lodge
Price: See Amazon
Length: 5.13 in.
Width: 2 in.
Height: 0.87 in.
Weight: 0.12 lbs.
Protects: Up to 500°F
Made in: China
Fits: Traditional-style cast iron handles
Great For: Protecting hands
What Are Hot Handle Holders?
Hot handle holders are sleeves to cover metal handles that get hot when cooking. Some people put one on before they start cooking, and leave them on and others wait to slide it on after they are done cooking to move the pan safely. It replaces a potholder, towel, or oven mitts. They aren’t made to put in the oven, and they will melt or burn if they get too close to the flames.
A Little About Lodge
Lodge Cast Iron is located in South Pittsburg, Tennessee, and has been around since 1896.
It began as Blacklock Foundry but burned to the ground in 1910.
However, Joseph Lodge didn’t give up but soon rebuilt down the road. The new facility was called Lodge Cast Iron.
Lodge survived the Great Depression and the invention of Teflon.
Although cast iron took a hit when Teflon was all the rage, it has revived in recent years.
In 2002, Lodge began pre-seasoning their pans, and it soon became the standard among cast iron manufacturers.
As the business continued to grow, another foundry was built. The new foundry enabled Lodge to increase its manufacturing capacity by seventy-five percent.
Lodge makes cast iron and carbon steel cookware, though cast iron remains their primary production.
They offer both a classic and a premier line of cast iron. Lodge’s premier line is called Blacklock, named after the original foundry.
Additionally, Lodge carries enameled cookware, bakeware, collections (or series), all of which are cast iron.
And many accessories.
Today, Lodge continues to be a leading manufacturer throughout the world. They make close to 2 million pans every month.
Answering Your Questions
Can I leave it on while cooking?
I had an assist handle (not Lodge brand) that melted, so I haven’t used my silicone handle holder while cooking. Others also said theirs melted or got too hot to hold onto. However, some do leave theirs on and have had no problems. So, yes, you can leave it on, but be aware it might get hot or melt if you’re using a large burner or cooking at higher heat.
Can I leave it on in the oven?
Lodge says it’s not recommended for oven use. Besides, it defeats the purpose. If the holder gets too hot from being in the oven, you will still need to use something else to pull the pan. A few people said just slip it on when you’re ready to remove the pan, but I have to wonder if they have tried it. The silicone handle doesn’t slip on easily like the fabric hot handle holder does. I always have to grab the other side of the pan when sliding mine on.
Do the handle holders slide on and off easily?
Not really. At least not for me. I have to grab the other side of the pan to slide my mini one on and off. I think that’s why some people leave theirs on while cooking because they wouldn’t be able to easily slip it on a hot pan. “Slide on and off easily” is a bit subjective, though. Some people think it does, and a few people even had the handle slide off while holding. I can’t even imagine that happening with mine.
Does this fit all cast iron handles?
Lodge has two sizes: one for cast iron traditional-style handles 9-inches and up, or a mini one for handles 8-inch and down. I have the mini one, and it fits my 6-inch skillet snuggly. I can slide it on my 3.5-inch pan easily, and it works, but it is obviously too big.
Will the handle fit other cast iron brands?
I can’t say for sure it will fit all cast iron brands, but it will definitely fit some. Any pan with a similar-type and size handle to Lodge’s will fit.
Is the silicone handle holder better than an oven mitt?
It depends on who you ask. Some people (like myself) prefer oven mitts. But that doesn’t make them better. It is a matter of preference.
Does it have a loop or hole for hanging?
Yes, it has a hole at the top on the back.
Can I put it in the dishwasher?
Lodge says it’s dishwasher safe. However, it may get ruined over time, according to one reviewer.
Will the handle holder protect my hand from the heat if I slip it on after removing the pan from the oven?
I got this answer from a reviewer who says it will protect your hand for about four seconds. They make a pizza in a 12-inch skillet and slide the holder on after taking it out of the oven. He also uses a potholder for extra protection.
What Others Are Saying
The majority gave the silicone hot handle holder high marks. Here are some of the things they liked most:
- Its heat resistance: the silicone does not get hot as long as you use the correct size burner
- How easily it slides on and off
- Comfortability
- Easy to clean
- The red color is a visual reminder
- Protection: so you don’t grab a hot handle and burn yourself
- How well it fits on medium and large skillets
- The grip
However, not everyone liked the product. Here are some of the things people didn’t like:
- Its poor fit: It slides around inside and doesn’t feel safe when carrying
- You can’t get a good enough grip to use the pour spout to drain liquid
- How difficult it is to slide on and off
- Poor quality: it can’t handle the heat
- Burns or melts
As you can see, some people liked it, and other people didn’t. If you use the right size burner and don’t leave it on when cooking at higher heat, you should be okay.
Some people said they used both the silicone handle holder and a potholder. They thought the silicone gave a better grip than the handle alone. So, they put the silicone holder on first and then used a potholder to move the pan.
What Did I Think?
When I started writing this review, I thought I had the regular-size handle holder, but as it turns out, I have the mini one.
So, I would have said I didn’t like the silicone handle holder, but now I think it’s okay.
I slid it on my 10.25-inch cast iron skillet when I first got one. It didn’t go on easily. And when I tried to take it off before washing my pan, it wouldn’t budge. So I left it on.
The holder stayed on for maybe a month before I decided I needed to remove it even if I had to cut it off. I did some research and learned I wasn’t the only one who had this problem. Did this other person also put a mini holder on a larger skillet without knowing it? I’ll never know…
But I did find out how they got theirs off using pliers. However, I was unsuccessful when I tried pliers. Finally, by sliding a screwdriver inside and turning part of it inside out, I was able to get it off.
I also learned if you oiled the handle before putting it on, it would slide off easily. So, I oiled my handle and put it back on (after cleaning the rust formed on the handle). I had tried not to get it wet, but I guess I wasn’t entirely successful.
However, I still had a tough time trying to slide it back off. I couldn’t believe people actually liked and used these things. I put it in the drawer where it has sat until today.
Today, I put it on my 6-inch pan, and it slid on and off quickly. I was surprised it wasn’t too long. That’s when it hit me: maybe I had the mini handle holder, and that’s why I had so much trouble.
What I learned through all this is a mini hot handle holder does not work on a 10.25-inch skillet. But it does work okay on a 6-inch pan.
I don’t understand why some people say it grips really well and others complain about it. I don’t particularly like the grip, but it’s not that bad. I will use it again now that I know it will slide on and off. But I still need to use two hands.
And I’m still an oven mitt girl at heart.
That being said, I recommend this product for use on the stovetop.
RELATED > > > > > Cast Iron Hot Handle Holders – Are They Necessary?
Pros
- Lodge Cast Iron is a reputable manufacturer
- Many high reviews
- As long as you know how to use it, it will work (and as long as you use the right size, lol)
- It keeps you from accidentally grabbing a hot handle
- Easy to clean
- Added protection and grip if using a potholder (oven mitt or towel) too
Cons
- can be dangerous if the pan slips and falls
- the silicone is prone to burning or melting if it gets too hot or near the flame
- not everyone thinks it fits properly or has a good grip
- you can still burn yourself if you aren’t paying attention to how hot the silicone gets
Cast Iron Handle Cover Review
Final Thoughts
I hope you have enjoyed my Lodge silicone hot handle holder review.
Silicone is known for its heat resistance, so it’s a good choice for a handle holder.
However, it can still get hot so you must pay attention and not assume you can pick it up after it’s been near heat for any length of time. Even then, it would be better than grabbing the iron handle.
It can also melt if it gets too hot or close to the flame. But the risk should be minimal as long as you use the correct size burner, and don’t leave it on the pan when cooking with high heat.
Moreover, the ability of the holder to grip the handle is debatable. Some say it does, and some say it doesn’t. I say the mini handle holder does have a good grip on the small, less heavy skillet.
Not everyone is sold on silicone, but most seem to like having one or more.
Admittedly, I may not like it as well as fabric handle holders or an oven mitt, but I can still see its value.
Therefore, I recommend the Lodge silicone hot handle holder for stovetop use.