The right kitchen safety gear can help limit any Thanksgiving scars to the emotional ones inflicted by your mother-in-law. Yes, Linda, the gravy is supposed to taste that way. (Getty)(YinYang via Getty Images)
Before I started writing about kitchen products for a living, I used them every day as a professional baker. And while there were few things as satisfying as pulling a perfectly golden batch of sticky buns out of the oven, there were also plenty of accidents that could — and did — happen while I was hard at work. So take it from me: Whether you're a seasoned chef or a home cook, kitchen safety should be a top priority — especially when you're rushing to get the Thanksgiving turkey on the table!
Common sense goes a long way, of course — for instance, don't try to put out a grease fire with water! But there are also many ways to prevent mistakes from happening. Prone to nicking yourself whenever you slice onions? Some durable cut-resistant gloves belong in your drawer. And a set of oven rack guards will help protect your arms from painful burns.
Want to know how else you can make your kitchen safer? Read on for more risk-reducing finds.
Never strain your wrists opening a can again, thanks to this nifty little gizmo that does the job with the push of a button. The No. 1 bestseller cleanly removes the top without leaving any sharp edges behind, and it's battery-operated so you won't have to deal with cords.
It's not often on sale, but happens to be marked down to the best price our trackers are showing since 2021. Join the 20,000-plus shoppers who have purchased one within the past month.
To those ladies who believe that plain old rubber gloves will keep their hands protected, we say: "No, woman — NoCry."
Slip these silicone guards over the edge of your oven rack to prevent painful burns on your hands, wrists and forearms while taking things in and out of the oven.
My cast iron skillet is one of my most prized kitchen possessions, but if you've ever used one, you know how hot the handle can get! My mom bought me one of these silicone guards as a stocking stuffer a few years back, and I've been using it ever since. It slips right over the handle of the pan and can offer protection from temps of up to 450°F. Just remember to take it off if you put your pan in the oven!
"If you own a cast iron skillet of any size, you need this!" declared a fan. "At some point, you will reach for the handle of that iron skillet on the stovetop and realize, too late, that the handle is as hot as the skillet and burn your hand ... Just slip this pliable handle cover on that skillet before you start cooking, and you can pick it up with ease, even after the skillet is HOT!"
True story: My parents adopted a kitten that loved jumping up on the counter near the stove — and would sometimes turn a burner on in the process. Eek! Whether you have pets or young kids, these knob covers will help prevent anything from being switched on that shouldn't be so you can rest a little easier. They're designed to fit right over most modern stove and oven knobs.
"My grandson just got tall enough to reach the stove knobs and started turning them on," explained a (now) relieved reviewer. "I received these and put them on right away. He tried to turn them twice and just stopped touching them. They are a must-have!"
I always have a fire blanket within reach when I'm cooking or baking, because you never know! Luckily, I haven't yet needed to use it, but if I did, all I'd have to do is pull the tabs to release the blanket and cover whatever's on fire. It's a lot easier than using a fire extinguisher, and it can be used over and over again.
"My wife dropped French fries into hot oil and it boiled over onto the stove and started a fire," shared a user. "It took her a moment to think of the fire blanket, but when she tossed it over the flaming liquid, out it went. They are worth every penny."
Nordic Ware is my go-to brand when it comes to sturdy, long-lasting sheet trays, and while this large pan would be ideal for a jumbo batch of cookies, it's also a safety must in my kitchen. Whenever I bake anything like a cake, pizza or casserole, or even roast a chicken, I like placing an extra-large pan like this underneath to catch any drippy batter, cheese or grease. This helps keep the bottom of my oven clean, which also reduces the risk of something catching on fire. Talk about a multitasker!
"I use the pan to catch drips from smaller pans above it," shared a like-minded shopper. "Really useful in preventing bottom of the oven cleanup, especially if you don't have a self-cleaning oven."
I've been burned by so many oven racks, it's not even funny. These mitts are extra-long to protect your hands, wrists and forearms from piping-hot sheet trays, pans and, yes, the oven itself. Not only will you get a 15-inch-long pair of silicone oven mitts to cover your arms, but you'll also get two mini pinch mitts and two silicone trivets.
There's no such thing as too many smoke detectors, and should something catch on fire in the kitchen while you're in another room, you'll want to be alerted right away. Best practice is to have at least one on every level of your home and in every bedroom.
"Very loud and extremely sensitive," wrote a pleased user. "[It] goes off if I take something from the oven [that has] burnt food on it. You won't have to worry about hearing them, for you will be notified in plenty of time to leave your house."
This stainless steel number might be the sleekest slicing device we've ever seen (and we'd expect nothing less from something found in Giada De Laurentiis' kitchen).
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The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
