What should you wear and not wear in the kitchen

What Should You Wear And Not Wear In The Kitchen?

Photo by ArtsyBee ,Oberholster Venita/Pixabay

While many people work in the kitchen, only some of them wear proper clothing which is suitable. Also, those who cook in the home kitchen seldom have any idea as to what is appropriate for wearing while working in the kitchen. So, let us talk about what is best suited for you to wear and what you should avoid wearing in the kitchen.

The dos that form an essential part of your must-wear kitchen apparel include:

• Wearing comfortable cotton clothes.
• Putting on an apron for extra safety.
• Donning a head cover for your short hair or braiding your long tresses and covering them likewise to avoid your hair from dropping into the food.
• Using hand mittens for protection of your hands from any burn accident.
• Wearing footwear to protect your feet from accidental food spill.

The don’ts include avoiding all sorts of synthetic dress materials –they catch fire very easily and are uncomfortable to wear in a hot kitchen and jewelry while working in the kitchen- as metal retains heat, it can become super hot and scald your skin.  

Let’s delve deeper into this topic to know what type of attire you need to wear and what you should not. Also, you will gain an understanding of what precautions you must take while working in the kitchen. 

What Should You Wear In The Kitchen?

Clothes

You should wear cotton clothes while you work in the kitchen. Cotton fabric is natural and breathable, but nylon and polyester are soft and sticky at higher temperatures.

Cotton clothes absorb oil spatter and do not stick to the body. Cotton is an excellent insulator of heat, reducing destructive heat accumulation. It can easily withstand high temperatures without change in its primary form. Cotton burns if excessive heat energy is used but is flame-retardant for the most part.

Also, make sure that you wear loose-fitting clothes that never stick to your body while cooking.

Apron

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Wearing an apron is a must while working in the kitchen, both for safety and hygienic purposes. It prevents your clothes from getting spoilt from spills and stains. It should be considered a mandatory uniform for home cooks and cooks who spend most of their day in the kitchen.

An apron is a protective gear that is usually made of fireproof material to protect you from mishaps. Also, wearing an apron is the safest option to avoid dirt, oil splatter, dust, heat, etc.

Head Cover

Wear a head covering such as a mob cap, Toque Blanche, skull cap, headscarf, or hairnet while cooking. If you have long hair, tie it up and cover it with a mob cap or skull cap. This protective headgear will prevent your hair from falling into the food.

Oven Mitts

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Hand burn is a very common mishap in any kitchen when you use a kitchen towel for holding hot pans. Oven mitts are the perfect solution for providing complete protection for your hand. Wearing them allows you to move around freely, either picking up a hot skillet or pulling out that cake box from the oven without any fear of succumbing to burn injury.

These well-padded hand gloves are very useful to do your chores in the kitchen without much ado, especially on a busy workday morning. These are available in pairs and provide excellent protection for your hands while handling hot utensils on a stove or in an oven.

Choose either cotton-padded quilt mittens or a silicon one, whichever is comfortable for you. Make sure you hang them in a hook where they are easily visible and accessible.

Footwear

Carefully choose the type of shoes that will be suitable for the job in the kitchen. Choose a pair of durable, self-resistant shoes to prevent injury to your feet. Accidental falling of a hot skillet, a sharp knife, or a hot food spill can scald your feet.  

Clogs are best suited for working in the kitchen. Clogs are easy to clean, and they are durable, slip-resistant, water-resistant, long-lasting, firm, and comfortable. Those who work in restaurants and hotels should always wear shoes made of leather or rubber.

What Should You Not Wear In The Kitchen?

Avoid Synthetic Fiber Clothes

Consider avoiding synthetic fabric such as polyester, nylon, and rayon at all costs. It becomes soft and sticky at rising temperatures that make it easy to burn. In addition, polyester and nylon fabrics are thermoplastic, which means they tend to melt and stick easily to the skin, damaging it.

Avoid Jewelry 

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Jewelry like earrings, necklaces, rings, watches, and bracelets should be avoided while cooking or preparing food as it can easily transfer microorganisms into the food you cook or serve while wearing them.

The points mentioned earlier should be helpful for you to know what you should wear in the kitchen. It will also help you narrow down your choice of comfy wear in the kitchen. Finally, we will look at some of the other precautions that should be kept in mind while working in the kitchen to keep it a safe spot.

Other Precautions We Should Take In The Kitchen

Use Fire Extinguisher In The Kitchen

Knowing how to operate a fire extinguisher will add an extra feather to your hat from a safety perspective. Absent-minded cooks and malfunction of kitchen and other electrical equipment are the leading causes of fire accidents in our homes.

A fire extinguisher is an essential buy for every kitchen, and mastering its operation is mandatory if you already have one.

Fires take only a matter of seconds to get uncontrollable. Learn about different types of fires, such as grease and electrical fires. Never take them out with water. Instead, it is best to use baking soda or a pan cover to extinguish them. The best way to put off most fires is to suffocate the fire by removing the air.

Photo by Brett_Hondow/Pixabay

Use Proper Knives

A dull knife can slip and cut your hand rather than a sharp knife. The best way to keep your cutting, chopping, and slicing tasks safe is to use a sharp knife. Use a knife sharpener to maintain a sharp blade. Choose a knife that suits the contour of your hand.

Prevent Burns

Make sure your pot handles and pans are facing inwards when you are cooking to avoid someone knocking it over. Always keep potholders or oven mitts with you when handling anything on the stovetop or oven. Do not use wet potholders or dish rags.

Wash Your Hands

You need to wash your hands with soapy water before and after cooking. Also, always use paper towels to dry your hands. Finally, keep your countertops clean all the time. 

Anti-Skid Floor Mats

These mats are a great stress reliever for those tired feet as it provides both grip and stability to the feet and will avoid any knee and back problems in the long run. They are light-duty, economical and washable, and comes in various materials like rubber, gel-filled, or foam for you to choose from. These anti-fatigue mats are a sure way to make your cooking experience enjoyable.

Never Use The Same Cutting Board For Meat, Fruits, And Vegetables

Usage of the same cutting board to cut meats, fruits and vegetables can make everyone sick. In addition, the FDA recommends using different cutting boards. Preferably you should use at least two cutting boards, one for veggies and fruits and the other one for meats. 

If you want to use the same board before cutting the meat, you should wash the board with soap and warm water. 

The dos and don’ts of what to wear and what not to wear in the kitchen will help you cook more efficiently, make your kitchen environment safe and keep your food hygienic. As a result, you will enjoy being around in your kitchen longer and feel less tired at the end of it all.