apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Pot holder in the wash? Dish towel wet? Burnt hands can be avoided through centuries old technology.

Here's a little tip from the working kitchen of my mother. She taught me to use old corks under lid handles to provide a cool, easy grip when working over a hot stove. The corks never come out, and over time swell into place for a nice firm grip.

It not only works, it looks good too. And these days, with fewer and fewer real corks in wine bottles, it is a nice way to keep this beautiful stuff around.