One Handed Oven Claw

For many people, lifting and carrying hot oven trays requires two strong, steady hands. For those living with arthritis, reduced grip strength, neurological conditions, injury, or recovering from surgery, this everyday kitchen task can become difficult and unsafe.

Fiona experienced these challenges firsthand. Holding the weight of a tray through the hands and wrists caused strain and reduced confidence when cooking. The issue wasn’t just strength but how the load was distributed. Traditional oven mitts and grips still require the hands and wrists to bear the full weight of the tray.

The challenge was to design a device that would allow someone to carry oven trays and cooking vessels using one arm, reducing strain on the hands while maintaining stability and control.

Tray Mate is an arm-mounted tool that transfers the weight of a tray away from the hands and into the forearm.

A stainless steel claw hooks onto oven trays and compatible cooking vessels. Instead of relying on grip strength alone, the load is channelled through two supportive arm collars — one at the wrist and one at the forearm — which “hug” the arm and distribute the weight more evenly.

Aluminium rods connect the claw to the arm supports, creating a rigid structure that keeps the tray stable during lifting and carrying. Foam padding improves comfort, while 3D printed components allow the device to be fabricated, adjusted and repaired with accessible tools.

By shifting the weight from the hand to the arm, Tray Mate enables greater independence and confidence in the kitchen, making everyday cooking more accessible for people with reduced hand strength.