About the chef's side towel. In the hands of a professional chef, a top quality side towel (or cloth) is one of the most versatile and important tools in the kitchen. It is used for everything from drying your hands and grabbing hot pans, to covering greens and crushing ice... An extremely vital kitchen tool!

What is the Difference Between a Hand Towel and a Kitchen Towel? A dish (kitchen) towel is typically made from thick cotton or terry cloth, while a hand towel is made from cotton, polyester, bamboo, or linen. You use dish towels in the kitchen, while hand towels are primarily used in the bathroom.

You'll want to prioritize absorbency. For hand drying and occasional dish drying, you can opt for something less absorbent and prioritize aesthetics. Dry Time: Cotton towels with terry loops are one of the most absorbent types but will take the longest to dry since they retain the most water.

A kitchen towel is a broad term used to describe towels used in the kitchen. These include both tea towels and dish towels. Usually, what makes kitchen towels different from other categories of towels is their ability to be absorbent and durable.

Bar mops are thicker and more plush than kitchen towels. They are also more absorbent. Their name is derived from the fact that they were originally developed to clean up spills at the bar. Bartenders also use them to wipe down glasses and stemware.

Usually, what makes kitchen towels different from other categories of towels is their ability to be absorbent and durable. Moreover, they have a thickly woven and stitched fabric that makes them last longer.

Our Top Kitchen Towel Picks

• Best Overall: All-Clad Striped Dual Kitchen Towels.
• Best Value: Williams Sonoma Bar Mop Towels.
• Another Good Option: All-Clad Cotton Terry Loop Kitchen Towels.

Kitchen towels can be used for several different purposes, including drying dishes without leaving streaks, drying hands, wiping up spills, disinfecting countertops, and even serving as impromptu potholders, oven mitts, or handle mitts.

Microfiber towels: The best for cleaning. When wet, they pick up germs, grime, and small crumbs from surfaces, and when they're dry, they're good for removing dust and pet hair. You don't need anything but the cloth itself, but Bell says microfiber is also beneficial because it pairs well with any spray cleaner.

There are generally three fabrics you will find in good kitchen towels, terry cloth, cotton and linen. Before purchasing a towel for your kitchen. Learn a little more about the fabric so you get the kind that is right for your need.

Cotton: Tightly woven cotton is arguably the best affordable fabric for kitchen towels and the most common because it is absorbent, durable and leaves behind very little lint. Cotton also is great for withstanding hundreds of wash cycles, becoming even softer, but remaining durable.

Kitchen towels can be used to dry dishes, clean off the cutting boards, wipe up spills, dry hands, and hold too hot or cold items, but they shouldn't be used interchangeably.