Cast iron is slow to heat and just as slow to cool, which is exactly why it needs a trivet. A skillet of fajitas, a Dutch oven of beans or a molcajete filled with something bubbling holds its heat long after it leaves the burner, and that heat goes straight into whatever it sits on. In restaurant dining rooms, sizzling iron usually arrives on a wooden underliner for the same reason.
This guide covers trivets for hot cast iron at home: cast iron trivets with feet, a cast iron rack for the inside of the pot, and the alternatives worth knowing about, in wood, silicone and steel wire. For each we list the material, size, shape, feet or padding, weight, heat use and care, from the maker or the Amazon listing. Where no source gives a figure, we write “Not stated”.
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Quick verdict: which cast iron trivet to buy
For most kitchens, the best cast iron trivet is the Lodge 8-inch Enameled Cast Iron Trivet: it stands on rubber feet that Lodge says stop it slipping or scratching, the enamel needs no seasoning, and it is heavy enough to stay put under a loaded skillet. For roasting pans and big cazuelas, get the Sumnacon 14.9 x 12-inch cast iron trivet; for the inside of a Dutch oven, Lodge’s cast iron trivet and meat rack; and to carry the trivet to the table with the pot, the magnetic Le Creuset Wooden Trivet.
The table compares our five standout picks, one for each kind of kitchen. All nine trivets are reviewed in full below it.
Five trivets for hot cast iron, side by side
Our five standout picks, with the material and size each maker or listing states and what sits between the trivet and your table.
| Trivet | Best for | Material & size | Feet/padding | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Lodge 8-inch Enameled Cast Iron TrivetBest overall
|
Most kitchens, one pot or skillet | Enameled cast iron, 8 in round | Rubber feet | View on Amazon |
Sumnacon Extra Large Cast Iron Trivet, 14.9 x 12 inchBest for big pans
|
Roasting pans, big cazuelas | Cast iron, 14.9 x 12 in | Rubber feet | View on Amazon |
Lodge 8-inch Cast Iron Trivet and Meat RackBest inside a Dutch oven
|
Inside a Dutch oven, oven or fire | Pre-seasoned cast iron, 8 in | None stated | View on Amazon |
Le Creuset Magnetic Wooden TrivetBest magnetic trivet
|
Serving from an enameled pot | Acacia wood, magnetic, 8 in | Silicone rings | View on Amazon |
Norpro Expanding Metal TrivetBest for several dishes
|
Several dishes at once | Chromed steel, 3.5 to 16 in | None stated | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Sizes, padding and heat ratings are as stated by each maker or listing; check the listing before you buy.
Our picks for the best cast iron trivet
Three of these nine are cast iron. The other six are the alternatives a kitchen actually reaches for: magnetic wood that travels with the pot, silicone you can put in the dishwasher, an expanding steel frame for a crowd and a bamboo trivet for a wood table. Each review says what it suits, what the maker states and one honest reason to skip it.
1. Lodge 8-inch Enameled Cast Iron Trivet – Rubber Feet and a Tough Enamel
This is the cast iron trivet to buy if you want one that does the job and can live on the table or the wall. Lodge casts it in iron and coats it in enamel, which its listing says resists chipping and cracking, and sets it on rubber feet that it says stop it slipping or scratching the surface underneath. A metal hanger is included, so it can hang by the stove between uses.
Lodge lists it at 8 by 8 inches and 0.75 inch high, and 1.9 pounds. That height is the point: it holds the bottom of a hot skillet or casserole off the table with air underneath, and the open rooster cut-out leaves space under the pan. Eight inches comfortably carries a 10- or 12-inch skillet’s base, a 5-quart Dutch oven or a molcajete brought to the table full of something sizzling.
Care is easy. Unlike bare cast iron, the enamel needs no seasoning, and the listing describes it as dishwasher safe. Lodge makes the same 8-inch enameled trivet in other designs and colors, such as its antler pattern, if the rooster is not your style.
Why we like it
- Rubber feet to prevent slipping or scratching, per Lodge
- Enameled finish that needs no seasoning
- 8 x 8 x 0.75 in and 1.9 lb, per Lodge
- Metal hanger included for wall storage
Key specifications
| Model | EC8RT43 |
|---|---|
| Material | Enameled cast iron |
| Size | 8 x 8 x 0.75 in (Lodge) |
| Shape | Round, open rooster design |
| Feet/padding | Rubber feet |
| Weight | 1.9 lb (Lodge) |
| Heat use | Under hot cookware on counters and tables; no temperature stated |
| Care | Dishwasher safe (listing) |
Why we recommend it
It suits almost any kitchen that brings cast iron or enameled pots to the table: heavy enough to stay put, padded underneath, and easy to clean.
Skip it if you need room for a big roasting pan or a 9 by 13 casserole; an 8-inch round trivet is sized for one pot or skillet.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Padded rubber feet
- No seasoning needed
- Hangs on the wall
- Sturdy at 1.9 lb
Cons
- 8 inches is too small for big rectangular pans
- Decorative design is not to every taste
- No stated temperature limit
2. Sumnacon Extra Large Cast Iron Trivet, 14.9 x 12 inch – Room for a Roasting Pan
Most cast iron trivets are sized for one round pot. This one, at 14.9 by 12 inches according to the listing, is big enough for a roasting pan, a large cazuela or a 9 by 13 casserole, or for two smaller pots side by side on a buffet.
Sumnacon describes it as cast iron with a rustic finish, set on cushioned rubber feet that it says stop the trivet sliding and scratching the countertop. The ornate scrollwork is open, so air circulates under the pan.
The listing is light on detail: it gives no weight, no care instructions and no temperature limit beyond calling the trivet heat resistant. Sumnacon is a seller brand rather than a long-established cookware maker, so treat it as a practical, large surface rather than an heirloom. Wipe it dry after washing, as you would any uncoated iron.
Why we like it
- 14.9 x 12 in surface, per the listing
- Cushioned rubber feet, per Sumnacon
- Open scrollwork lets air under the pan
- Cast iron that stays put under a heavy pan
Key specifications
| Model | CIT-012 |
|---|---|
| Material | Cast iron, rustic finish |
| Size | 14.9 x 12 in (listing) |
| Shape | Rectangle |
| Feet/padding | Rubber feet |
| Weight | Not stated |
| Heat use | Hot dishes, pots and pans on tables and counters; no temperature stated |
| Care | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits cooks who bring large rectangular or oval dishes to the table, or who set out several pans at once for a taco night or a buffet.
Skip it if you want full maker information: weight, care and finish details are not stated, and the brand is a seller label.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Large enough for roasting pans
- Rubber feet
- Open design for airflow
- One trivet for two small pots
Cons
- Weight and care not stated
- Seller brand with little maker detail
- Large size takes storage space
3. Lodge 8-inch Cast Iron Trivet and Meat Rack – Lifts Food Off the Pot Floor
This is the other kind of cast iron trivet: the one that goes inside the pot. Lodge designed it for its Dutch ovens of 4 quarts or larger, to raise meat, pies and other food off the bottom so it does not scorch. It is plain, pre-seasoned cast iron, made in the USA, and Lodge lists it at 8.12 by 7.93 by 0.4 inches and 1.55 pounds.
In a home kitchen it earns its place in several ways. Under a pork shoulder it keeps the meat above the rendered fat; under a tamale steamer setup in a deep pot it holds the food above the water; under a bread or cake pan it lifts the pan off the hot floor of the Dutch oven. Because it is bare iron, it can go anywhere the Dutch oven goes, oven or campfire included.
As a table trivet it works in a pinch, but Lodge lists no rubber feet or padding. Bare iron on a polished table can mark it, so set a cloth or board underneath if you use it that way. Care is the usual cast iron routine, per Lodge: hand wash, dry, rub with cooking oil.
Why we like it
- Fits Lodge Dutch ovens of 4 quarts or larger, per Lodge
- Raises food off the pot floor to prevent scorching
- Pre-seasoned cast iron, made in the USA
- 1.55 lb, per Lodge
Key specifications
| Model | L8DOT3 |
|---|---|
| Material | Pre-seasoned cast iron |
| Size | 8.12 x 7.93 x 0.4 in (Lodge) |
| Shape | Round rack |
| Feet/padding | None stated; bare iron |
| Weight | 1.55 lb (Lodge) |
| Heat use | Inside Dutch ovens; same heat as the pot |
| Care | Hand wash, dry, rub with oil |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone with a Dutch oven who roasts, steams or bakes in it, and wants a trivet that can take the same heat as the pot.
Skip it as your main table trivet; with no feet or padding listed, it is built for the inside of a pot, not a dining table.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Goes in the oven, on the grill or over a fire
- Made in the USA
- Stops scorching on the pot floor
- Inexpensive
Cons
- No padding for table use
- Needs seasoning care like any bare iron
- Sized for 4-quart and larger Dutch ovens
4. Le Creuset Magnetic Wooden Trivet – Travels With the Pot
A magnetic trivet clips to the bottom of the pot, so it travels with it from stove to table and you never have to line the two up with oven mitts on. Le Creuset’s version is long-grain acacia wood with black silicone rings, and its listing says the magnet works with any cookware that has a magnetic metal layer, which includes cast iron and enameled cast iron.
Le Creuset rates it heat-resistant to 482°F. Retailers including Abt and Bloomingdale’s list it at 8 inches across, which sits comfortably under the base of a mid-size Dutch oven or braiser.
Le Creuset adds an honest caution: some heat transfer is possible, so take care on delicate or heat-sensitive surfaces. The listing gives no care instructions; as with any wood, keep it out of soaking water. It will not stick to aluminum, copper or plain stainless pans without a magnetic layer.
Why we like it
- Magnet holds it to cast iron and enameled pots, per Le Creuset
- Heat-resistant to 482°F, per Le Creuset
- Silicone rings on acacia wood
- About 8 inches across, per retailer listings
Key specifications
| Model | WD210-31 |
|---|---|
| Material | Acacia wood, silicone rings, magnet |
| Size | About 8 in diameter (retailer listings) |
| Shape | Round |
| Feet/padding | Silicone rings |
| Weight | Not stated |
| Heat use | Up to 482°F (Le Creuset); magnetic cookware only |
| Care | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone who serves straight from an enameled or cast iron Dutch oven and wants the trivet to come along without a second trip.
Skip it for a very heavy pot on a fine wood table: Le Creuset itself warns some heat can pass through.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Moves with the pot
- 482°F rating
- Good-looking at the table
- Silicone rings grip the pot
Cons
- Only works with magnetic cookware
- Le Creuset warns of some heat transfer
- Care not stated
5. Staub 9-inch Magnetic Wood Trivet – Wood Disc for Staub Cocottes
Staub designs its magnetic trivets to fit the bottom of its own cocottes: attach the trivet to the base and take the pot straight from the oven to the table, the listing says. This is the 9-inch round version, in hardwood, made in France.
Staub rates it heat resistant to 200°C, about 392°F. That is lower than Le Creuset’s magnetic trivet, but it is a rating for the wood under a pot that has left the burner, which is all a serving trivet needs to do.
Because it uses a magnet, it works with cast iron and enameled cast iron, not with aluminum or copper. Staub also sells a 6-inch round and an 11.4-inch oval version for other pot sizes. The listing gives no weight or care instructions; keep wood out of the dishwasher.
Why we like it
- Magnetic: attaches to the bottom of a cocotte, per Staub
- Heat resistant to 200°C (about 392°F), per Staub
- Hardwood, made in France
- Other sizes, including a 6-inch round and 11.4-inch oval
Key specifications
| Model | 41190742 |
|---|---|
| Material | Hardwood with magnet |
| Size | 9 in (listing) |
| Shape | Round |
| Feet/padding | Flat wood base; no feet stated |
| Weight | Not stated |
| Heat use | Up to 200°C / about 392°F (Staub) |
| Care | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits Staub owners, and anyone with a round enameled Dutch oven about 9 inches across at the base, who want a plain wooden trivet that moves with the pot.
Skip it if your pots are not magnetic, or if you want a stated care routine; the listing gives none.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Moves with the pot
- Made in France
- Simple round wood disc
- Several sizes
Cons
- Lower heat rating than Le Creuset’s
- Magnetic cookware only
- Weight and care not stated
6. Lodge 5-inch Silicone Magnetic Trivet – Snaps to a Skillet
Lodge’s small magnetic trivet uses rare earth magnets inside silicone, and the listing says it snaps to any cast iron, steel or enamel cookware. At 5 inches across it is meant for the base of an 8- to 10-inch skillet, a 3-quart Dutch oven or a carbon steel pan headed for the table.
It is reusable and dishwasher safe. Lodge is clear about the limits: keep it out of the oven, because it is not intended for oven use or direct flame. So it goes on after the pan comes off the heat, not before.
The small size is both the appeal and the catch. It stores in a drawer and leaves the table uncluttered, but a 5-inch pad under a 12-inch skillet leaves most of the hot base unsupported, so pick a larger trivet for big pans.
Why we like it
- Rare earth magnets snap to cast iron, steel or enamel, per Lodge
- Dishwasher safe
- Small enough to store in a drawer
- From a cast iron maker, sized for its smaller pans
Key specifications
| Model | ASMMT |
|---|---|
| Material | Silicone with rare earth magnets |
| Size | 5 in |
| Shape | Round |
| Feet/padding | Silicone pad |
| Weight | Not stated |
| Heat use | Hot cookware off the heat; not for oven or direct flame (Lodge) |
| Care | Dishwasher safe |
Why we recommend it
It suits small households that bring an 8- or 10-inch cast iron skillet straight to the table and want a trivet that stays attached.
Skip it for big pans or anything going back into the oven; Lodge says it is not for oven use.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Snaps to the pan
- Dishwasher safe
- Compact
- Silicone will not scratch
Cons
- Too small for large pans
- Not for oven or flame
- No temperature figure stated
7. Le Creuset 8-inch Silicone Trivet – Trivet, Potholder and Jar Opener
Silicone is the easy-care alternative to iron. Le Creuset’s round trivet is flexible silicone, 8 inches across and rated heat-resistant to 482°F. This Riviera listing does not give a thickness or care instructions; Le Creuset’s listing for another color of the same trivet gives 0.2 inch thick and calls it safe in the microwave, oven, freezer and dishwasher.
It does more than sit under a pot. Le Creuset suggests it as a potholder, a jar opener and even for slipping the skin off garlic cloves. It is not for use on an open flame or directly on a heat source, and Le Creuset asks for caution on natural or lacquered wood, plastic table coverings and cork-backed mats.
The trade-off is height. A thin silicone pad holds a pan barely off the table compared with an iron trivet on feet, so less air gets underneath. For most pots straight from the stove that is fine; for a very hot cast iron pan or a long rest on a delicate surface, a raised trivet gives more margin.
Why we like it
- Heat-resistant to 482°F, per Le Creuset
- Flexible and resists stains and odors, per Le Creuset
- Doubles as a potholder and jar opener
- Can grip a stuck jar lid
Key specifications
| Model | 42493020099005 (Riviera) |
|---|---|
| Material | Silicone |
| Size | 8 in across (listing); thickness not stated |
| Shape | Round |
| Feet/padding | The whole trivet is soft silicone |
| Weight | Not stated |
| Heat use | Up to 482°F (Le Creuset) |
| Care | Not stated on this listing |
Why we recommend it
It suits kitchens that want one flexible pad for the table, the counter and the jar lid, with no seasoning to keep up.
Skip it if you want air space under a very hot cast iron pan; a thin silicone pad sits nearly flat.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very easy care
- Multi-use
- 482°F rating
- Grips the table
Cons
- Sits almost flat, little air underneath
- Thin; sits nearly flat
- Weight not stated
8. Norpro Expanding Metal Trivet – Stretches From 3.5 to 16 Inches
Norpro’s accordion trivet solves the buffet problem. The chromed steel wire frame extends from 3.5 to 16 inches long, according to the listing, so it can hold one small saucepan, two pots side by side or an extra-large 9 by 13 roasting or casserole dish.
It has heat-resistant handles at both ends that Norpro says stay cool to the touch, so you can adjust the width or reposition a dish at the table. The listing says the wire does not sag under heavy cast iron Dutch ovens, and gives the base as 3.25 by 10 by 8.25 inches.
It folds down slim for a drawer. Norpro recommends hand washing. There is no padding stated, so the wire feet sit directly on the table.
Why we like it
- Extends from 3.5 to 16 inches, per Norpro
- Holds heavy cast iron without sagging, per the listing
- Stay-cool handles at both ends
- Folds flat for storage
Key specifications
| Model | 412 |
|---|---|
| Material | Chromed steel wire |
| Size | 3.5 to 16 in long; base 3.25 x 10 x 8.25 in |
| Shape | Expanding accordion frame |
| Feet/padding | None stated |
| Weight | Not stated |
| Heat use | Hot pots and dishes on tables; no temperature stated |
| Care | Hand washing recommended |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone who sets out several hot dishes at once, from a taco bar to a holiday table, and wants one adjustable trivet instead of three.
Skip it if you want a padded base for a delicate table; Norpro lists no feet or padding.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Adjusts to almost any dish
- Stay-cool handles
- Stores flat
- Handles heavy cast iron, per listing
Cons
- No padding stated
- Chromed wire, not cast iron
- Hand wash only
9. Totally Bamboo Expandable Bamboo Trivet – Slides Wider for Big Dishes
If you would rather not put iron on the table at all, an expandable wood trivet is the gentle alternative. Totally Bamboo’s is Moso bamboo, about 8.75 inches square closed and 8.75 by 11.75 inches open, and always half an inch thick, per the listing.
The interlocking slats slide apart to fit an oval casserole or a long skillet with its handle, then close up for a teapot or a small pot. Bamboo is softer on a finished table than iron.
Care is hand washing or a wipe with a damp cloth; Totally Bamboo says not to soak it or put it in the dishwasher. No heat rating is stated.
Why we like it
- Expands from about 8.75 in square to 8.75 x 11.75 in, per the listing
- Moso bamboo, half an inch thick
- Soft on finished tables
- Looks good enough to leave out
Key specifications
| Model | 20-6628 |
|---|---|
| Material | Moso bamboo |
| Size | 8.75 x 8.75 in, expands to 8.75 x 11.75 in; 0.5 in thick |
| Shape | Square, expanding to a rectangle |
| Feet/padding | None; flat bamboo slats |
| Weight | Not stated |
| Heat use | Hot dishes and pots; no temperature stated |
| Care | Hand wash or wipe; no soaking or dishwasher |
Why we recommend it
It suits kitchens with wood tables that want a trivet that adjusts to the dish and does not scratch.
Skip it if you want to wash it in the dishwasher, or need a stated heat rating.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Expands to fit the dish
- Gentle on wood tables
- Simple, attractive design
- Inexpensive
Cons
- No heat rating stated
- No dishwasher or soaking
- Flat slats, little air underneath
How to choose a trivet for cast iron
A trivet has one job, keeping heat away from the surface below, but five details decide how well it does it with cast iron.
1. Height and airflow
A raised trivet with an open pattern, such as Lodge’s 0.75-inch-high enameled trivet, holds the pan’s base off the table with air moving underneath. A flat pad, such as a thin silicone trivet, puts the hot base almost in contact with the surface. For a cast iron pan straight off a high flame, height is the safer choice.
2. Feet or padding
Cast iron is hard and heavy. On a finished table or a stone counter, look for rubber feet or silicone pads between the trivet and the surface: Lodge’s enameled trivet and the Sumnacon both have rubber feet, Le Creuset’s magnetic trivet has silicone rings. A bare iron rack such as Lodge’s meat rack is built for the inside of a pot and lists no padding.
3. Size against the base of the pan
Measure the bottom of the pan, not the rim: skillets are sold by their top diameter, and the base is smaller. An 8-inch round trivet suits most skillets and round Dutch ovens. Rectangular roasting pans and large cazuelas need a rectangular trivet or an expanding one. A small 5-inch magnetic pad suits an 8- or 10-inch skillet and little else.
4. Magnetic or loose
Magnetic trivets clip to anything with a magnetic metal layer, which includes cast iron, enameled cast iron and carbon steel, so the trivet arrives at the table already under the pot. They will not hold to aluminum, copper or non-magnetic stainless. Loose trivets work with everything but need a second hand to set down first.
5. Care
Enameled iron and silicone are the easiest: both of our picks in those materials are listed as dishwasher safe. Bare cast iron wants the usual routine of washing, drying and a light coat of oil. Wood and bamboo should be wiped or hand washed and never soaked.
How we picked these nine trivets
We started from what hot cast iron asks of a trivet: enough height or insulation to protect the surface, a size that matches the base of the pan, and feet or padding that will not scratch. We then narrowed the field to trivets sold on Amazon in the United States and in stock when we checked, preferring makers we could identify, such as Lodge, Le Creuset, Staub, Norpro and Totally Bamboo, and took every specification from the maker’s site or the brand’s Amazon listing, saying which. Most trivets carry no temperature rating; where a maker gives one, we quote it, and where none is given, our tables say so. We included one large cast iron trivet from a seller brand because no established maker offered that size in stock, and we left out multi-packs from sellers that publish no details of their own. We could not find a review of trivets from America’s Test Kitchen, Serious Eats or Wirecutter to draw on, so none is cited. We have not used these trivets for this guide.
Cast iron trivet questions, answered
What is the best trivet for cast iron?
A raised cast iron or enameled cast iron trivet on rubber feet, sized to the base of your pan. The Lodge 8-inch enameled trivet fits most skillets and Dutch ovens; for big rectangular pans, a large trivet such as the Sumnacon. If you want the trivet to travel with the pot, a magnetic one from Le Creuset, Staub or Lodge clips to the bottom. Our guide to the best cast iron skillet covers the pans themselves.
Can you put a hot cast iron skillet straight on a table?
It is best not to. Cast iron holds heat for a long time after it leaves the stove, and that heat can mark wood and finishes. Put a trivet or a thick wooden board under it, and use a pot holder on the handle: see the best pot holders.
Do magnetic trivets work on enameled cast iron?
Yes. Le Creuset says its magnetic trivet works with any cookware that has a magnetic metal layer, and Lodge says its magnetic trivet snaps to cast iron, steel and enamel cookware. Enameled cast iron has an iron body, so the magnet holds.
Can a cast iron trivet go in the oven?
Bare cast iron can: Lodge’s trivet and meat rack is made to sit inside its Dutch ovens, which go in the oven. Trivets with rubber feet, wood or silicone are a different matter. Lodge says its silicone magnetic trivet is not for oven use, and Staub rates its wood trivet to 200°C, so check each maker’s guidance before a trivet goes anywhere near the heat.
What do you put under a hot molcajete or cazuela at the table?
A stone molcajete or a clay cazuela can stay hot for a long time once it leaves the heat. A wooden board or a raised trivet sized to the base works well. Our guide to the best molcajete covers choosing and curing one, and our fajita skillet guide covers sizzling iron platters with their wooden bases.
Our final word on cast iron trivets
Buy the Lodge 8-inch enameled cast iron trivet if you want one trivet that suits most skillets and Dutch ovens, stays put and wipes clean. Add the large Sumnacon if you bring roasting pans or big cazuelas to the table, Lodge’s meat rack if you cook in a Dutch oven, and a magnetic trivet from Le Creuset or Staub if you like serving straight from the pot. Whatever you choose, match it to the base of the pan, not the rim.
For the pots that need one, see our guides to the best cast iron Dutch oven and comal versus cast iron skillet.
And if you would rather someone else did the cooking tonight, see the menu or call to order.