The Seasonal Gourmet

Metal or ceramic trivets protect your counters and tabletop from hot pots but you can improvise one in a pinch

Many kitchens these days have gorgeous kitchen countertops made from marble, slate, granite or engineered stone.  While they are tough, they are not indestructible so it’s important to take care of them.  This means not putting hot pots and dishes down without some sort of barrier between the pot bottom and the counter.  Trivets are heat-proof ‘coasters’ that you can set a pot on so it doesn’t damage the countertop or wood furniture.  They are generally inexpensive and readily available at kitchen stores or grocery stores.  However, if you don’t have one or do not have enough to accommodate all of your hot pots and casserole dishes, you can improvise a trivet very simply.

To Improvise a Trivet:

1.  Unroll 2 feet (24″ or 60 cm) of aluminum foil and cut along the ‘teeth’ of the box.

2. Roll the foil into a ‘snake’. 

3. Bend the foil tube into a coil.

4.  Place hot pots or pans on the coil, pressing down lightly so the foil conforms to the shape of the pot and is sturdy.  Et voila-instant trivet!