Introduction
From popular TV shows like “The Bear” to your favorite local restaurant, you might wonder why chefs opt to use towels instead of oven mitts when working in the kitchen. Towels overtake oven mitts in three key areas vital to keeping a chef’s operations running smoothly: cleanliness, disposability, and dexterity.
Cleanliness and Disposability
The first two elements play off each other. Towels are cleaner than oven mitts because they are both easier to clean and easier to swap out. Unlike some oven mitts, towels don’t require any special washer or dryer settings to retain their shape and functionality—just toss them in the washer on whatever setting you prefer. Additionally, because towels are so much cheaper and easier to buy and store in bulk, chefs can quickly select another one from the stack and continue cooking. Many restaurants employ laundry services that pick up soiled linens and replace them with clean ones, making towels even more disposable and convenient compared to oven mitts.
Dexterity and Utility
Unlike oven mitts, towels protect a chef’s hand from heat while still allowing them to get a solid grip on hot items or pans. Oven mitts offer superior heat protection but at the cost of dexterity. Chefs need more dexterity and speed in the kitchen, and towels provide a flexible solution. A towel can be layered or folded to adjust its heat protection as needed, giving chefs the tailored level of heat protection they require. Additionally, towels offer more utility than oven mitts in various kitchen tasks such as stabilizing cutting boards and ensuring even cake layers.
Conclusion
Chefs often favor towels over oven mitts for their cleanliness, disposability, and dexterity. Towels can be easily swapped out, offer the necessary heat protection, and allow for better grip and maneuverability in a fast-paced kitchen environment. It’s no wonder towels have become the heat protection tool of choice for busy chefs.