Can I use the silicone handles as a substitute for pot holders/oven mitts?

No! The silicone handles are made only to prevent you from burning your skin when you accidentally touch the handles when they are on the stove. As explained in detail in the instruction paper, when you need to move the pot, we always recommend wearing gloves or pot holders to handle hot cookware. 😉
 
Said that, let us explain why the silicone handles get hot so you can better understand the reasons. It's important to consider that these are die-cast pots, so the only way to protect a die-cast handle is to cover it with a silicone cover. In any case, they do not substitute the potholders. In a die-cast pot, the body and the handles are one unique piece. They are created by injecting molten aluminum into a mold. The purpose of the silicone handles is to create base protection for your skin. On the other hand, die-cast aluminum cookware offers much higher performance. Its quality is priceless since it's stronger, thicker, can never warp, and spreads and holds heat more efficiently. 💪
 
Usually, the silicone handles become hotter on gas or electric stoves rather than on induction, especially if you place the pot on a higher heat source than the pot diameter. For that reason, we suggest always operating with a medium or low flame. Unlike cast iron, aluminum holds and spreads heat much more efficiently, and you'll save a lot of money on energy/gas! 🙌