Buying guide for Best trivets
There are just some recipes that must be eaten piping hot. Whether you’re serving the food right from the pot you cooked it in or transferring it to a serving dish, the container is going to be too hot to place directly on your table, which is why you need high-quality trivets to keep your surfaces safe.
A trivet is a device made of a heat-resistant material that you can set under hot cookware or serving dishes. On a table or countertop, it acts as a buffer to protect the surface from any damage that might result from the heat. Most trivets are used on the dining table, but you can also use one during food prep when making a dish that requires combining a hot mixture with other ingredients and you don’t want to work close to the stove.
There are plenty of trivets on the market, which can make shopping for one tougher than it should be. Our buying guide contains plenty of tips to help you find the best one for your kitchen. If you’re still unsure, we’ve included some specific product recommendations to help get your shopping started right away.
Key considerations
Material
Trivets are made of various heat-resistant materials, including metal, wood, glass, ceramic, and silicone.
Metals like cast iron and stainless steel work well and are incredibly durable, but these trivets can be heavy and bulky.
Wood is a popular material for trivets because of its attractive appearance and lighter weight. However, the porous surface of wood is a little trickier to clean.
Glass and ceramic are also common materials because they can handle a good deal of heat. Like wood, these trivets are usually more decorative, too. Unfortunately, they also retain heat, so they can get pretty hot once a pot sits on them for a while. Glass and ceramic trivets are also prone to breaking if dropped.
Silicone trivets have become popular in recent years because they’re incredibly lightweight, easy to clean, and durable. They don’t conduct heat either, so they don't get hot like other materials. Silicone is naturally nonstick, and it’s flexible, so you can also use a silicone trivet as a potholder. However, most silicone trivets can’t withstand the same heat that metal, wood, glass, or ceramic trivets can. That’s why it’s important to choose a silicone trivet that’s thick enough to provide adequate protection.
Size
A trivet should be large enough to cover the bottom of the pot, pan, or serving dish you plan to place on top of it. Check the dimensions of your largest piece of cookware or serving dish and purchase a trivet that’s large enough to accommodate it. For particularly large serving dishes or pots, you might need to use two or more trivets. Also, some trivets are expandable, so you can fold them up for storage but open them to fit even your largest dishes.
Some glass trivets can double as a cutting board.
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Features
Quantity
Many trivets are sold individually, but you can also find sets of two or more. It’s a good idea to have more than one trivet in your kitchen for those occasions when you have multiple hot dishes you need to bring to the table. You may also need more than one trivet to go under a large serving dish, so a set of two or more is often a better value than purchasing several individually.
Quality
Heat resistant: All trivets should be heat resistant or they’re likely to warp or melt when you set a hot serving dish on top of them. However, some trivets can withstand higher temperatures than others. Nearly all can handle up to 300°F, but others can withstand temperatures up to 500°F. Think about the recipes you usually prepare and their cooking temperatures to determine how heat resistant your trivet needs to be.
Nonslip: Some trivets have a textured base to prevent them from sliding around on your table or countertop. It’s an especially important feature for silicone trivets, which are more prone to slipping than heavier materials.
Versatile: If you want to get the most bang for your buck, some trivets are suitable for more than just using under hot dishes. You can find silicone trivets that are microwave and freezer safe, so you can use them in various ways in your kitchen.
Maintenance
Spills can dirty a trivet pretty quickly, so you want one that’s easy to clean. Many trivets are dishwasher safe, which makes for the easiest cleanup. Others can be wiped off with a damp sponge or towel, but trivets with a lot of ridges or crevices can be difficult to get fully clean.
Style and color
Trivets are available in an array of colors and patterns. While your serving dish or pot will cover most of the trivet, you still want a style that looks attractive on your dining table. Some trivets have eye-catching patterns, while others come in interesting shapes. For the best look, choose a trivet that complements the rest of your kitchen and dining room décor.
Did You Know?
Some flexible trivets are long enough to span an entire table or countertop, so you can place all of your hot dishes in a row. They’re flexible enough to roll up for easy storage, too.
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Accessories
Potholders: Ankway Silicone Potholders
While a trivet protects your table or counter from a hot dish, you need a potholder to keep your hands safe when you’re taking food out of the oven. We like these from Ankway because they come in a set of four and are heat resistant up to 450°F.
Oven mitts: HOMWE Professional Oven Mitts
If you want more protection than that offered by potholders, oven mitts are the perfect alternative. These silicone mitts from HOMWE are favorites of ours because they’re flexible, comfortable, and heat resistant up to 450°F.
Trivet prices
Trivets vary in price based on material, size, and other features. Most cost between $2 and $100 each.
Inexpensive: The most affordable trivets are those made of cork or silicone. They’re typically small to medium in size and relatively durable, but they aren’t as heat resistant as trivets made of other materials. You’ll pay between $2 and $7 each for these trivets.
Mid-range: These trivets are typically made of glass, ceramic, wood, or metal and are small to medium in size. They’re usually more heat resistant than cheaper trivets. You can also find some large silicone models in this price range. You’ll pay between $7 and $20 each for these trivets.
Expensive: The priciest trivets tend to be extra-large models. They’re usually made of glass, ceramic, metal, or silicone and can be as large as a table runner. Some trivets in this price range are also expandable. You’ll pay between $20 and $40 for these models. Some highly decorative ceramic, glass, and metal trivets can cost as much as $100.
A trivet can double as a spoon rest near your stove to prevent damage to your countertop.
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Tips
- Layer your trivets. If a silicone trivet isn’t thick enough to provide the heat resistance you need, you can layer two or more to protect your table or countertop.
- Use your trivet for cold dishes, too. You don’t have to just use a trivet for hot dishes. You can place one under a beverage pitcher or punch bowl to protect your table from moisture damage, too.
- Add a trivet for a decorative touch. A colorful or patterned trivet can also serve as an accent on a coffee or end table. Place one under a lamp or potted plant you want to draw attention to and add more color to the room.
- Use your silicone trivet as a jar opener. Wrap a flexible silicone trivet over the lid to get a better grip so you can twist it off the jar.
FAQ
Q. How many trivets do I need?
A. It depends on the type of cooking and entertaining you do. If you usually prepare one-dish meals like lasagna or casseroles, a single large trivet or a few smaller trivets may be all you need. However, if you frequently host holiday dinners or dinner parties with a main course and several side dishes, you probably need more. It’s a good idea to have several trivets in different sizes and shapes to make sure you have the right trivet for every serving dish or piece of cookware in your kitchen.
Q. Are trivets only for use in the kitchen?
A. Trivets come in handy in other areas of the house, too. You can use one as a rest for your curling or flat iron on your bathroom counter, your iron on your ironing board, or your hot glue gun when crafting.
Q. How do expandable trivets work?
A. Expandable trivets have either legs that fold up and down for use or an accordion-like design that you pull to expand and push to close.
