DIY Cat-Shaped Oven Rack Puller (Purr-fect for Baking!)

Add some feline fun to your kitchen with this cat-shaped DIY oven rack puller! Meow-velous for bakers and functional, too!

Tired of burning your fingers when moving hot racks? This DIY oven rack puller shaped like a cat is the purr-fect solution! This simple yet adorable gadget allows you to push and pull the racks while keeping your hands safe.

With just a few simple tools and a piece of scrap wood, you can create an accessory that will help make baking a breeze and add a charming feline touch to your culinary adventures.

Say goodbye to kitchen cat-tastrophes and hello to this whiskered companion as I show you how to make your own oven rack puller that’s as cute as it is functional.

What is an Oven Rack Puller?

An oven rack puller, also called an oven rack push pull stick, is a kitchen tool you use to pull out and push back hot oven racks safely. It is typically made of wood with two hooks that fit over the rack’s edges, preventing you from touching it and burning your hands.

To use an oven rack puller, place the hook over the rack’s edge and pull.

Position the hook against the rack’s edge to push the rack back in.

Oven rack pullers are a simple but effective way to prevent burns when working with hot racks. They’re a must-have for any kitchen, especially for those who do a lot of baking.

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Inspiration for This DIY Wooden Oven Rack Puller

Recently, while traveling, I saw an estate sale and decided to check it out. The home belonged to a woodworker who operated a small wood crafts business. The backyard was filled with completed and unfinished projects and boxes of templates he used to make his creations. I was tempted to buy everything and start my own business, but I was 3,000 miles from home!

Instead, I carefully selected a few small projects I could share with you. One of the templates was for an oven rack puller shaped like a cat. I traced the pattern, making a few adjustments to the size and shape.

Here’s what I came up with. A cat-shaped DIY oven rack puller that will add a fun, feline flair to your kitchen while making baking tasks safer!

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What Tools Do You Need?

I used a scroll saw to make my DIY oven rack puller. That’s right, you can make it with just one tool!

You might be able to use a jigsaw or bandsaw, but a scroll saw’s blade is smaller and more maneuverable, making it ideal for cutting the puller’s tight corners and intricate shapes.

I also used a portable spindle sander and disc sander to smooth the edges, but you could use sandpaper instead.

You can use a handheld router with a roundover bit to soften the puller’s edges. This is an optional tool, but it can make your project look more polished.

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What Wood Should You Use?

The best wood for a DIY oven rack puller is a durable hardwood. Some good options include:

• Oak
• Maple
• Walnut

I had some small scrap pieces of poplar, so that’s what I use to make my puller.

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How Do You Draw the Cat Shape?

Don’t worry if you think you can’t draw a cat. I have a solution for you.

My free printable plan includes a pattern that makes it easy.

Download the plan, print the template, and trace it onto your board. It’s that simple!

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Step 1. Make the Oven Rack Puller

Print the template at the end of the plan.

TIP: When printing the template, make sure the scale is set to 100%.

Tracing paper templates can be frustrating because the pencil point pushes into the flimsy paper, resulting in a distorted line.

To fix this problem, I attach my patterns to a manila folder using spray adhesive and cut out the design with scissors. This way, the folder acts as a guide for my pencil to trace around.

A reader, Gary, recently told me he didn’t have a manila folder and used a cereal box instead, which I thought was a fantastic idea!

I test-fit the template on my oven rack, but the “puller” hook was too tight. So, I recommend cutting along the inside of the black line on that section instead of the outside.

I temporarily attached the template to the board with painter’s tape and traced its outline with a pencil.

I cut the cat’s shape using a scroll saw, but a jigsaw or band saw may also work. For best results, I recommend cutting slightly outside the line and then fine-tuning your cut by sanding up to it.

I used a 18.5 TPI blade (teeth per inch), which is well-suited for cutting delicate curves like this. The high number of teeth per inch results in a smoother cut with minimal chipping or tearing, and it’s relatively thin, making it easier to maneuver around tight curves.

A portable spindle sander is the quickest and easiest way to smooth the curved edges. I also used a disc sander to smooth the straight edges. If you don’t have these tools, you can smooth them by hand with sandpaper.

Next, I used my handheld router and roundover bit to soften the edges. Again, this step is optional, but I think it makes the puller look more professional.

The bit couldn’t fit into the tight corners, so I used sandpaper to smooth those edges in a similar shape. And that’s all there is to it! Your cat-shaped oven rack puller is ready to use.

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Final Thoughts

This adorable DIY oven rack puller is a fun and functional addition to any kitchen. It adds a charming feline touch while helping you safely move hot racks without burning your fingers.

So, what are you waiting for? Get meow-tivated and grab your free template now!

Thank you for stopping by. If you enjoyed this tutorial, would you please take a moment and pin it to Pinterest? I’d really appreciate it!

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