Wednesday, October 26, 2005

This is a small and sort-of silly item to mention, but my silicone hot pads are amazingly useful and durable. Available from Crate and Barrel (I've also seem some two-tone ones at specialty kitchen stores), they work as standard hot pads as well as trivets. Two uses you might not immediately think of: they are excellent at helping to open stuck jars and, when rubbed on upholstery while slightly damp, they will ball-up and remove pet hair. (Rubber gloves also work on pet hair -- I learned that trick from a TV show in England several years ago.) My favorite part of these things: they can be cleaned just by putting them in the dishwasher. I'm starting to see more kitchen items made out of silicone -- like spatulas -- and I'm pleased since this stain- and heat-resistant material is pretty remarkable.