We will answer the question “How do oven mitts work?” in this short guide. In addition to “How to Choose Oven Mitts”, discuss answers to other related questions like can’t you just use a tea towel and what to consider when choosing oven mitts. We have a list of best oven mitts, in case you need recommendation.
How Do Oven Mitts Work?
The principle behind oven mitts is based on the low conduction of certain materials, such as silicon (water and stain-resistant). The materials used to make oven mitts are low conduction, which prevents the gloves from transferring heat to the user’s hands. Traditionally, these gloves are made of insulated fabric.
Water conducts heat, and wet gloves conduct heat to dangerous levels and cause scalding when they are wet.
Can’t You Just Use a Tea Towel?
For picking hot items out of the oven, many people use a tea towel. You can use a tea towel to protect your hand slightly, but it is more likely to be wet, and water doesn’t stop heat at all. Furthermore, since you have to fold a tea towel to provide the necessary protection, your hand is likely to slip. Due to the limited dexterity a tea towel offers, slips like this in the kitchen will result in serious burns.
Mitts are better than tea towels because if you need quick, extra leverage, you can use your whole hand and guard the back of it. As a result, oven mitts should always be used by experts.
Silicone Oven Gloves
Silicone oven gloves are made from FDA-approved silicone and come with or without an internal cotton layer. It is much safer to wear these gloves than traditional fabric gloves because they are heat resistant to 450 Fahrenheit. There is no need to worry about water damage. In addition, the urethane grips well and can be machine washed.
Neoprene Cooking Gloves
Neoprene gloves are comfortable and offer good protection for your hands. They are heat resistant up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Water, grease, acids, acids, and caustic substances are incompatible with their coating. Hot water can be used to launder these gloves while rubbing them.
Cotton Oven Gloves
Cotton gloves are decorative and come in vibrant colors. Flexible gloves like these are available. Therefore, you can have much more control over your fingers. Soft material makes these gloves comfortable to wear, and they can be machine washed.
Aramid Fiber’s Cooking Gloves
Aramid fibers are extremely strong and can withstand temperatures up to 932 degrees Fahrenheit. For a better grip, the gloves have non-slip silicone lining outside. Cut-resistant and machine-washable, they make great winter wear.
What to Consider While Choosing the Oven Mitts?
There is a difference in quality among oven mitts, which are used to remove hot things from the oven. Hence, while buying them, you need to keep a certain thing in mind. The following are the features of oven mitts that you should look for before purchasing them;
While buying oven mitts, the most important thing to keep in mind is the amount of protection they will provide to your hands. Oven mitts are classified into two types based on how much coverage they provide:
Oven mitts that are standard size are 14 inches long and are useful for moving items around the stovetop, but they wouldn’t protect the rest of the forearm when reaching into the oven to remove a pan.
Extra-long oven mitts are about 17 inches long and can be used if you need extra protection. Grilling or cooking over a large surface is easy with these mitts.
Secondly, you should look at the material of the oven mitts. Heat resistance of the mitts is largely determined by the materials of which they are made. The mitts should be made of a material that can withstand heat up to at least 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Moreover, it should be able to withstand high temperatures for more than 10 seconds. Additionally, oven mitts should have an extra layer of protection to prevent burns and insulate hands.
Thirdly, choose the gloves that have a solid grip to prevent dropping slippery cookware. Note also that the material of the mitts affects the grip. The most secure grip is provided by silicon and neoprene. The rubber material sewn into some cloth or cotton mitts provides heat-resistant gripping when working with heavy pans and pots.
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