The Resourceful Sailor Crafts Affordable Galley Pot Holders
Pot holders: for securing a pot on your boat’s galley stove, not to be confused with pot holders for handling a hot pot on your boat’s galley stove. Or any stove for that matter. Both are useful.
Are you preparing for a lengthy cruise? Are the hundred-dollar bills flowing from your wallet like the prevailing winds? Did you discover that a factory-made pair of pot holders from your favorite propane store would continue this trend? The Resourceful Sailor experienced this while outfitting Sampaguita, a 1985 Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20, before a Pacific tour, inspiring him to ask, “What’s an innovative solution for galley pot holders?”
I lived on and cruised Sampaguita for 10 years without needing or using pot holders (the kind that hold your pot on the stove). However, I knew I would need at least one set for ocean sailing. To boot, the stove (no oven) did not gimbal. Let’s start by saying that if your cook will feel slated because you didn’t buy the nice factory pot holders, buy them. It will be worth it. However, when you’re the cook, you can improvise and save. Here was my solution:
I had a 1/8- x 1-1/4- x 30-inch aluminum flat bar in my metals bucket, salvaged from somewhere unknown years ago. Using a vise and a hacksaw, I cut it in half and bent it into the shape of the factory-made versions. Notches were made to receive the brass rail integrated into the Force 10 stove, and which the factory versions would normally screw down onto. A little filing and sandpaper to soften the edges, and I had a free set of pot holders.
Whereas the factory version uses plastic knobs to secure the pot holders to the rail to hold your pan, my version uses opposing forces. The plastic knobs make a very positive connection, but are prone to melting, and the stainless steel gets very hot. The thin aluminum of The Resourceful Sailor’s version also gets hot, but cools quickly. Both require mindful use and a stove mitten.
These improvised holders worked well for me on the rolling Pacific. I rarely used more than one pan at sea, and a single set was adequate. As an aside, I used a tall pan to mitigate the lack of gimbals, which had no bearing on the pot holder’s functionality.
Remember, keep your solutions prudent and safe, and have a blast.