# Do you hang a kitchen towel on the oven and/or refrigerator handle? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 21, 2020, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-hang-a-kitchen-towel-on-the-oven-and-or-refrigerator-handle/928571 "2020-12-21T22:11:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2020, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-hang-a-kitchen-towel-on-the-oven-and-or-refrigerator-handle/928571/21 "2020-12-22T03:44:47Z")
Hanging on the fridge handle, a towel will be all bunched up --\> less open to air circulation --\> stays wet longer. Hanging on oven handle --\> more open to air circulation --\> will dry out faster. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2020, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-hang-a-kitchen-towel-on-the-oven-and-or-refrigerator-handle/928571/22 "2020-12-22T03:48:26Z")
I’ve kept it on the oven handle for years, but then we had a baby. The baby likes to pull it down. So now it’s folded on the counter. (see also: reason why we no longer keep a frog magnet “indicator” on our dishwasher.) ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2020, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-hang-a-kitchen-towel-on-the-oven-and-or-refrigerator-handle/928571/23 "2020-12-22T04:33:52Z")
[quote=“Melbourne, post:14, topic:928571, full:true”] Hung on/in Cupboard Handles.[/quote] This. I sure wouldn’t put it on the handle of my gas stove. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2020, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-hang-a-kitchen-towel-on-the-oven-and-or-refrigerator-handle/928571/24 "2020-12-22T05:10:18Z")
Why would you keep a towel anywhere but near the sink, where you need it? ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2020, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-hang-a-kitchen-towel-on-the-oven-and-or-refrigerator-handle/928571/25 "2020-12-22T05:22:37Z")
The stove and refrigerator are near the sink? ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2020, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-hang-a-kitchen-towel-on-the-oven-and-or-refrigerator-handle/928571/26 "2020-12-22T05:26:57Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > Why would you keep a towel anywhere but near the sink, where you need it? Lots of reasons. Just myself, for one, there’s nowhere else right near the sink to hang one. I could install a hook or a bar, but the oven is within arm’s reach and conveniently already has a handle that can hold a towel. My cabinets and drawers don’t have knobs or handles to hang anything on. Also, the sink isn’t the only place I need a kitchen towel, and the oven is basically in a central location, so the other occasions when I might need a towel, it’s right there. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2020, 8:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-hang-a-kitchen-towel-on-the-oven-and-or-refrigerator-handle/928571/27 "2020-12-22T08:42:49Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > Why would you keep a towel anywhere but near the sink, where you need it? My sink is right next to my cooker. And there’s no hook or handle by my sink. Also handy for retrieving hot stuff from the oven. Kitchen towels in the UK are [paper towels](https://www.google.com/search?q=kitchen+roll&rlz=1C5CHFA_enGB869GB869&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjN9-_XmOHtAhXPfMAKHUA6BlcQ_AUoAnoECBYQBA&biw=1863&bih=1064&dpr=2) (and so go under the sink, obvs). My [tea towels](https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-partners-coastal-striped-tea-towels-pack-of-2-blue/p4125561?sku=238064323&s_ppc=2dx92700057519884098&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclid=CjwKCAiAz4b_BRBbEiwA5XlVVhbcOtd0srLhm9U5CRGWhi6jIgYGvpUlmwmFXXdc95uj1KCyR16_YhoC-RIQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds) get draped over my oven door handle. Can’t see the practicality of using the fridge handle - it’s the wrong format (portrait). ---
**Author:** ![DemonTree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/demontree/32/8646_2.png) [@DemonTree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DemonTree)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2020, 9:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-hang-a-kitchen-towel-on-the-oven-and-or-refrigerator-handle/928571/28 "2020-12-22T09:18:25Z")
> [@SanVito](#): > > Kitchen towels in the UK are [paper towels](https://www.google.com/search?q=kitchen+roll&rlz=1C5CHFA_enGB869GB869&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjN9-_XmOHtAhXPfMAKHUA6BlcQ_AUoAnoECBYQBA&biw=1863&bih=1064&dpr=2) (and so go under the sink, obvs). My [tea towels](https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-partners-coastal-striped-tea-towels-pack-of-2-blue/p4125561?sku=238064323&s_ppc=2dx92700057519884098&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclid=CjwKCAiAz4b_BRBbEiwA5XlVVhbcOtd0srLhm9U5CRGWhi6jIgYGvpUlmwmFXXdc95uj1KCyR16_YhoC-RIQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds) get draped over my oven door handle. Can’t see the practicality of using the fridge handle - it’s the wrong format (portrait). I assumed it meant tea towels, or maybe a hand towel kept in the kitchen for drying your hands (we have both). I’m still scratching my head over the fridge handle though. A towel on there would be all bunched up, it wouldn’t dry, especially where it goes through the handle; it would just fester. Gross. Do American fridges have horizontal handles or something? ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2020, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-hang-a-kitchen-towel-on-the-oven-and-or-refrigerator-handle/928571/29 "2020-12-22T11:54:50Z")
One is on the oven, one is similar to [this](https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/idesign-reg-forma-reg-over-the-cabinet-towel-bar-in-stainless-steel/1014166890?skuId=14166890&enginename=google&mcid=PS_googlepla_nonbrand_kitchenaccessories_local&product_id=14166890&adtype=pla&product_channel=local&adpos=&creative=232742510629&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&utm_campaignid=71700000037211742&utm_adgroupid=58700004142062446&targetid=92700034063189766&gclid=CjwKCAiAz4b_BRBbEiwA5XlVVjr7-0eiw4uV4W33MfzxVqji9ZIprX3_bzX4jL1kLwoWmsm5Mz_1-xoCkDEQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds) so at the sink. There have been times when both end up crumpled on the counter - usually when I’m in frantic cooking mode - but mostly the towels live where they’re supposed to live. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2020, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-hang-a-kitchen-towel-on-the-oven-and-or-refrigerator-handle/928571/30 "2020-12-22T11:59:30Z")
I guess the next question is, how often do you change them? Fess up, we’re all friends here. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2020, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-hang-a-kitchen-towel-on-the-oven-and-or-refrigerator-handle/928571/31 "2020-12-22T11:59:33Z")
BTW, here’s a little tip about oven handles: if you happen to find yourself sitting on the floor by the oven, whatever you do, don’t use the handle to pull yourself up to a standing position, especially if you’re a person of considerable mass. The handle may looked like it’s bolted to the door, but in fact, it might be bolted to the _glass_, which is just glued to the door, and pulling it hard enough and at the right angle will literally _peel off the entire front_ off your very expensive oven. Just saying. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2020, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-hang-a-kitchen-towel-on-the-oven-and-or-refrigerator-handle/928571/32 "2020-12-22T13:49:21Z")
> [@DemonTree](#): > > Do American fridges have horizontal handles or something? I answered “oven door only” in the poll, but I forgot that our fridge has a bottom drawer freezer with a horizontal handle, and there is indeed a tea towel hanging from that too. I never use it because what’s the point of bending down to get a towel when there’s a couple already hanging within convenient reach? ---
**Author:** ![DemonTree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/demontree/32/8646_2.png) [@DemonTree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DemonTree)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2020, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-hang-a-kitchen-towel-on-the-oven-and-or-refrigerator-handle/928571/33 "2020-12-22T13:59:27Z")
> [@hogarth](#): > > I answered “oven door only” in the poll, but I forgot that our fridge has a bottom drawer freezer with a horizontal handle, and there is indeed a tea towel hanging from that too. I never use it because what’s the point of bending down to get a towel when there’s a couple already hanging within convenient reach? That makes more sense. And now i’m in the kitchen I can confirm that our fridge freezer has no sticky-out handles, it has slots in the side of the doors for your hand. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2020, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-hang-a-kitchen-towel-on-the-oven-and-or-refrigerator-handle/928571/34 "2020-12-22T15:46:06Z")
One on each oven door and one on a similar horizontal rod on the side of a wheeled kitchen cart. The fridge has no hangable-fromable handle, but even when I had such fridges I never hung a towel there; that’s just wrong. ---
**Author:** ![MikeG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikeg/32/4329_2.png) [@MikeG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeG)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2020, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-hang-a-kitchen-towel-on-the-oven-and-or-refrigerator-handle/928571/35 "2020-12-22T15:54:22Z")
I voted yes to the oven option. By “I”, I meant “she”. By “on the oven handle” I meant a constant rotating list of themed decorative towels which can theoretically be used for cleaning but I’ve never been brave enough to test that hypothesis. ---
**Author:** ![Paintcharge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paintcharge/32/7946_2.png) [@Paintcharge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paintcharge)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2020, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-hang-a-kitchen-towel-on-the-oven-and-or-refrigerator-handle/928571/36 "2020-12-22T16:25:21Z")
Mine go on the oven handle. There’s usually 4, one fluffy one for drying hands, and 3 standard tea towels for drying dishes/pretending to be pot holders. The stove is literally half a step from the sink. I change them whenever I do laundry. I’m a single dude who lives alone, so like once a week. I bought a bale of them off Amazon, IIRC it was 25. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2020, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-hang-a-kitchen-towel-on-the-oven-and-or-refrigerator-handle/928571/37 "2020-12-22T16:46:35Z")
> [@SanVito](#): > > I guess the next question is, how often do you change them? Fess up, we’re all friends here. Every Saturday, unless I grab a fresh one sooner. Usually they’re just for drying hands. Dishes air-dry or dry in the dishwasher, but if I need to hand wash and dry something, I’ll pull a clean towel out of the drawer. I have a pretty good supply, so any time I think the towel is too wet or gross, it gets tossed down the stairs and I grab another. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2020, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-hang-a-kitchen-towel-on-the-oven-and-or-refrigerator-handle/928571/38 "2020-12-22T16:49:05Z")
I’ve read a few times how they’re the biggest harbinger of germs you can find in the kitchen (those, and the sponge in the sink), so now I throw them into the washing machine every 2/3 days. I’m sure this still isn’t enough. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2020, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-hang-a-kitchen-towel-on-the-oven-and-or-refrigerator-handle/928571/39 "2020-12-22T17:03:28Z")
I keep a dish towel on the oven handle, and a small hand towel hanging from the handle of my cupboard-closet. There are also cupboards over the stove and sink, but they have knob handles, that a towel wouldn’t hang well from. They’re used for hanging pot holders and (lately) masks. My fridge doesn’t have a handle, per se, just an indentation on the edge of the door that one can pull on, so nothing hangs there. And I can’t conceive of any way that something hanging from the oven handle could come into contact with any of the oven or stove heating elements: It’s on the other side of the door from the inside of the oven, and below the stovetop burners. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2020, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-hang-a-kitchen-towel-on-the-oven-and-or-refrigerator-handle/928571/40 "2020-12-22T17:21:30Z")
Oven handle is solid with the door so no looping things through it. Kitchen towel is handing from an upper cabinet handle between the oven and sink. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-hang-a-kitchen-towel-on-the-oven-and-or-refrigerator-handle/928571.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-hang-a-kitchen-towel-on-the-oven-and-or-refrigerator-handle/928571.md?page=3)