Published September 1, 2007. From Cook's Illustrated.
Does it provide protection?
The JAZ Innovations Cool Touch Oven Rack Guard ($14.99) promises to protect hands and forearms from scorching oven racks. As we intentionally and unintentionally grazed our hands against the fabric while removing bubbling casserole dishes and baking sheets full of cookies, we noticed that the soft pad, though quite warm, was comfortably cooler than the exposed portion of the oven rack. Made from DuPont's flame-resistant Nomex fibers, the pad is not broiler-safe but does resist heat up to 500 degrees and can stay in your oven indefinitely. Just remember to take it out before turning the oven to broil or running the self-cleaning cycle.
