Differentiating the Types of Oven Mitts
Oven mitts are a staple in both residential and commercial kitchens. Even the novice baker knows the importance of proper heat protection when working with cooking equipment, but you might be less familiar with the differences between the different styles of oven mitts. Depending on the equipment you're handling, you might opt for a classic cotton mitt, or you may need a specialized fryer glove. Keep reading to learn more about each style of oven mitt and the most common applications for each to help you decide on a useful addition to your kitchen.
Conventional Oven Mitts
The most familiar style is the conventional oven mitt found in countless home and commercial kitchens. These mitts resemble a mitten, with a large compartment for all four fingers and a smaller one at the side to fit the thumb. While this style of mitt doesn't allow for precise finger movements, it offers comprehensive protection when removing hot cookware from an oven. Because of their simple shape, some conventional oven mitts are ambidextrous, meaning they can be used on either the right or left hand. Many options are designed to cover just the hand and wrist, but longer conventional mitts are available for protecting forearms as well.
Puppet Oven Mitts
Puppet oven mitts are like conventional oven mitts in that they consist of two simple compartments – one for the four fingers and one for the thumb. Instead of the conventional mitten shape, puppet mitts feature a thumb pocket on the underside, creating a pincer-like grip. These are also common in residential and commercial kitchens and are great for removing hot dishes from ovens and safely gripping the hot handles of stovetop cookware. Puppet mitts can restrict hand movements, however, and aren't suitable for tasks requiring the dexterous use of the fingers.
Oven Gloves
For more precise control, some operators may opt for oven gloves. As implied by the name, these feature dedicated compartments for each finger rather than the more ambiguously shaped mitts. The design of oven gloves allows cooks to handle food-prep utensils such as pot handles, serving spoons, and kitchen scissors without removing the gloves. Offering a greater range of mobility and a potentially firmer grip, oven gloves may be a better choice for busy kitchens built around many high-temperature tasks.
Thermal Sleeves
Thermal sleeves offer less comprehensive protection than oven gloves or mitts, as they primarily cover forearms and the backs of hands. Most often, thermal sleeves are used to protect from steam, hot oil splashes, or abrasions during cleaning or cooking. Their design makes them unsuitable for gripping hot cookware or reaching into ovens on their own, but thermal sleeves can be paired with certain gloves or mitts to create a complete heat shield for riskier tasks. Some models include the option to fold back the hand guard when needed for more mobility.
Common Features of Oven Mitts
In addition to the multiple styles of heat protection available for use in the kitchen, certain oven mitts include helpful features that make them easier and safer to use. Understanding the specifications of your equipment can help ensure your staff is using it correctly, streamlining workflow and reducing the risk of injuries and damages.
Special Features
- Ambidexterity: Some oven mitts are designed to be used on the left or right hand, accommodating the needs of any of your kitchen staff.
- Ergonomic Grip: Oven mitts featuring an ergonomic design are made to fit a hand securely, providing a more confident and comfortable grip.
- Textured Grip: Textured material included in the design of some oven mitts helps ensure a secure grip for reduced spill risk.
- Built-In Magnet: Certain oven mitts include a built-in magnet as well as a hanging loop, providing multiple options for convenient storage when not in use.
- Washing Machine Safe: Many – but not all – oven mitts are safe to clean in a washing machine, making cleanup and stain removal easy.
- Nonstick Coating: Oven mitts with a nonstick coating resist stains and stubborn debris, staying cleaner throughout the food-prep process.
Type of Protection
While most oven mitts are highly heat resistant, some are more so than others, and only certain models can withstand other risks such as fire, hot oil, or freezing temperatures. Ensuring you have the correct type of mitt for the tasks you need to complete can save your employees from discomfort or injury while also easing food prep.
Levels of Protection
- Heat Resistant: Most oven mitts are heat resistant, meaning they're not fireproof, but they're able to protect hands from burns while handling hot cookware for at least several seconds.
- Flame Resistant: If you're cooking with open flames or exceptionally high temperatures, flame resistant oven mitts are capable of standing up against fire to prevent injury in more extreme conditions.
- Oil Protection: Oven mitts made to withstand moisture, oil, and grease are typically made with a silicone exterior that provides a high level of heat protection while maintaining a firm grip when wet.
- Steam Protection: Mitts with steam protection are typically resistant to high levels of heat in order to prevent burns from high-temperature steam during cooking.
- Cold Protection: While oven mitts are most often associated with heat protection, some are also capable of protecting from hazardously low temperatures in freezers or blast chillers. These mitts are often designed to prevent frozen items from sticking to the material.
