In the world of kitchen tools, some go unnoticed yet play a crucial role in ensuring the success of your culinary endeavors. Among these unsung heroes is the wood trivet. So, what is a trivet, and why do you need one in your kitchen? Discover our answers in this helpful guide!

Think of a wood trivet as a countertop protector. It’s a must-have in any kitchen if you don’t want to have burn marks on your counters or tabletop. Place a hot pot or hot dish on a trivet to protect surfaces in the kitchen or dining room. It’s like a coaster that you would use under glass for protection but bigger. They come in all sizes to fit either one dish or several. Since they sit out they are generally very decorative.

If you've ever wondered what is a trivet, you're not alone! A trivet is designed to protect your countertop and tables from heat. They are typically made from materials like metal and wood, and provide a stable surface for your hottest pots, pans, or dishes. The original trivet meaning refers to the fact that they were once three-legged stands. "Tripendem" means three-footed in Latin.

Our trivets are made of maple wood that has been butcher blocked. Instead of 3 legs, we screw in 4 latex free rubber feet to the bottom.

Trivet Meaning

As you can see, it's easy to define a trivet in its simplest form. But, did you know they date back to the 17^th century when they were used when cooking over an open fire? If you've ever asked yourself what is a trivet used for, that was the answer in the 1800s!

Back then, the material was wrought iron and they were used to hold and support utensils as seen in the image below. Later, a three-footed version was used in or near the fire to hold a pot. Old English trivets are very collectible as trivets weren't mass-produced until the 1930s.

Trivet with pot, circa 1820

Our Wooden Trivet Collection

Our wood trivets came about after we had been in business for 2 years. A customer requested them during the holidays as she loved to give trivets as gifts. We have come up with many of our products from collaborations with our customers!

Many customers tell us they hang their trivet on the wall to double as home decor, which means you could define a trivet as wall art too. When you need a trivet you will always know where it is. The 4 latex-free "rubber-like" feet on the bottom prevent slipping.

What is a trivet? We believe it's the perfect gift. Discover our favorite options below.

We offer trivets with a pineapple cut out, a hospitality symbol known throughout the south. Our animal and word cutouts are popular too. We are proud Baltimore natives, and are happy to report that our blue crab wood trivet is one of our best sellers!

Monograms are on everything these days and so it just made sense to make a personalized trivet with a single initial monogram. Great for a first or last name. Plus, they look great just hanging out on your kitchen island or dining room table. A thoughtful and useful gift made easy!

Just as popular are the state cut out designs. We will cut out any of the 50 states + District of Columbia and because they are all hand-cut we can get more detail than you will find anywhere else. They make a great housewarming gift, holiday gifts or give a friend who is moving out of state something to take with them.

Trivet Meaning Frequently Asked Questions

What is a trivet used for?

A trivet is used to protect countertops and tabletops from heat damage. It provides a safe and sturdy surface for placing hot pots, pans, or dishes to prevent heat transfer and potential burn marks.

Are trivets only used cookware?

While trivets are primarily designed to protect surfaces from heat, they can also be used as decorative elements on dining tables or countertops. Our handcrafted wood trivets are made by our expert artisans in Baltimore, MD and are works of art in their own right! You'll only naturally want to have them out on display when you aren't using them in the kitchen.

How do I clean and maintain a wood trivet?

Cleaning and maintaining trivets is relatively straightforward. Our wood trivets can be cleaned with warm soapy water or wiped down with a damp cloth. Avoid using abrasive scrubbers that may damage the trivet's surface, and be sure to dry it thoroughly after cleaning to prevent warping. You may also want to apply some cutting board oil every once and while to maintain its finish.

Summing it Up

If you didn’t know the answer to what is a trivet used for, don’t worry. The word falls in the bottom 30% of words looked up in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. We're not sure if this is because people don’t need to look up the word because they already know what it means or because they don’t know to look it up in the first place.

Our hope is that you can now define trivet without thinking twice about it! Use one to protect your tables and countertops, or hang it up on your wall. No matter which way you decide to use yours, we hope you'll enjoy having one of our handcrafted wooden trivets in your home.