One Handed Oven Tool

Using an oven safely requires strength, stability and coordinated two-handed movement. For Fiona, who lives with cerebral palsy, reduced control and strength in her left arm makes handling hot baking trays difficult and potentially dangerous.

Traditional oven mitts still require grip strength and steady wrist control. Lifting from the side or edge of a tray can cause tilting, slipping or sudden shifts in weight. In Fiona’s compact kitchen, manoeuvring a heavy tray one-handed adds another layer of complexity.

The challenge was to create a tool that would allow Fiona to place and remove baking trays from the oven using one arm — reducing strain on her wrist and hand, increasing stability, and improving safety without adding unnecessary steps or complexity.

This assistive oven tool uses an arm-supported “peel” design to lift trays from underneath rather than gripping from the side.

A lightweight aluminium frame forms the structural base, providing strength while keeping overall weight manageable. A vertical ergonomic handle supports a more natural wrist position, improving control during lifting. A 3D-printed arm brace with foam padding stabilises the tool against the forearm, removing the need for straps and reducing reliance on grip strength alone.

To address the challenge of sliding the tool beneath a tray, a set of elevated wooden support blocks were developed. These blocks slightly raise the baking tray — both inside the oven and on the benchtop — creating space for the tool to slide underneath safely. A heat-resistant silicone surface increases friction, helping prevent trays from slipping during transfer.