The Best Trivet

Buying Guide

Congratulations! If you know what a trivet is, you’re officially an adult — at least when it comes to the kitchen. We’ve all been to a big family dinner and seen those cloth mats or squat iron platforms that were used to keep hot pots and casserole dishes off the sensitive wood of the tabletop. You may have noticed them, but didn’t care enough to ask what they were called. But cook enough meals for enough people, and you’ll realize how essential they are.

In terms of functionality, trivets have historically been a one-trick pony. As long as it can keep burn marks off your table, it’s an effective trivet. But as kitchens and storage needs evolved, modern trivets picked up the ability to multitask.

That’s especially true for silicone trivets, which are a great everyday solution for busy families. Most food-grade silicone can withstand temperatures well above 400 degrees or below -50 degrees Fahrenheit. That means that it can easily protect most surfaces from food coming straight out of the oven or freezer, and you can even use it in the microwave. And while microwave trays don’t really need heat protection, many people use a silicone trivet to protect the tray from stray spills and spatter.

That heat resistance also means you can use it as a potholder if the trivet is ergonomically designed. For your own safety, make sure you only try this with thicker silicone.

Mind you, old-school cloth trivets make great potholders as well, but they lack the best feature of quality silicone: Cleanability. That may not be a real word, but it’s the only one that fits when it comes to silicone’s non-stick properties. You can rinse the material clean from all but the worst stains, and it’s usually safe in the dishwasher.

Still, most silicone trivets do lack something when it comes to presentation. If you’re looking for something that will elevate your dishes both literally and aesthetically during formal dinners, you may want to look for a traditional cast iron trivet. Many families still pass them down as family heirlooms, since they’re durable enough to outlast generations. Handle with care, though: The metal can scratch tabletops.

The same goes for wooden or ceramic trivets to a lesser degree. Bamboo in particular has great heat resistance and the look is a perfect fit for rustic kitchen decor. Cast iron, ceramic and bamboo can take up more space in your cabinets and may require a little more care when cleaning, but they’re good to have around when company shows up for dinner.

If storage space is scarce, silicone trivets aren’t the only ones that are easy to stow away. Cloth trivets have a very homey feel, and work just fine with smaller, lighter cookware. Cork is another thin material that can take the heat, though it is more prone to fray at the edges. For both cloth and cork, you may want to buy a trivet with reinforced borders.

Antique trivets are an heirloom for many families, and they can still find practical use at Thanksgiving or other special meals. Just make sure to handle them with care, especially when it comes to brass or copper. These metals were popular choices for decorative trivets in the early 1900s, but they can be delicate. Both can be washed in warm soapy water, and a light scrub with a toothbrush can remove stains that accumulate in any grooves. If you choose to polish, just make sure you’re not dealing with lacquered brass. Polish can remove the lacquer and leave behind an uneven finish.