Honestly, pizza oven gloves are one of those things you can do without, but you shouldn’t want to. Why? Let me paint a picture for you. Without proper protection, the blistering surface of your oven can turn your hands into a personal pizza themselves.
Here’s why you should seriously consider getting a solid pair of heat-resistant gloves:
Ovens gloves provide superior heat protection and a firm grip, ensuring both safety and control while your hands are exposed to high heat. From silicone and Kevlar to aluminized leather and Neoprene, these gloves come in all sorts of varieties to match your budget and needs.
Continue reading to know more about why it’s important to invest in high-quality oven gloves. That’s not it! I will also share some practical tips and ensure you can handle a hot oven or grill like a pro.
How Effective Are Pizza Oven Gloves, Really?
You don’t necessarily need to be a professional baker to invest in a pair of heat-resistant gloves for pizza ovens. Anyone who bakes pizzas frequently and takes personal protection seriously should get a pair. Without the protection of heat-resistant gloves, you’d be dancing with danger and risking painful burns. Life is too short for taking such meaningless risks.
The basic gloves can withstand up to 500F. Premium heat-resistant gloves, on the other hand, are flame-resistant up to 1472°F (800℃).
For insulation, these gloves use synthetic polymers like neoprene, silicone, or aramid. These materials are known for their high burning point and ability to resist degradation.
What about good old-fashioned, colorful oven mitts, though?
When it comes to dealing with heated baking stones and pizza ovens, I’d rather steer clear of them. You see, these mitts are made of cotton fabric wrapped around a layer of thermal insulation. The max temp can handle safely is 450 degrees F.
If you are going to be working with temperatures hotter than that, you need to purchase oven mitts built with tougher synthetic materials like Kevlar. Since pizza ovens are required to be hotter by default, thick synthetic materials should be your default choice of fabric here.
That brings me to my next point of discussion…
Pizza Oven Gloves Materials – Which One Delivers Maximum Heat-resistance?
Aluminized Leather
For wood-fired ovens, gloves with a leather exterior and aluminum insulation. The aluminum layer works in tandem with the premium leather exterior. Both create a robust shield against scorching temperatures.
Basically, the aluminum coating on the leather surface acts as a powerful reflector. It bounces back radiant heat and reduces its impact. Apart from the much-needed peace of mind and safety, these oven gloves also ensure optimal comfort and mobility.
Premium leather gloves offer a no-slip grip and are often lined with super-soft flannelette lining. This helps maximize comfort as well as prevent any irritation on the skin. Ooni pizza oven gloves are made of the same material. And as someone who has been using them for the past two years, I can confidently vouch for their quality.
Silicone
For tasks like:
- moving hot grill grates,
- taking out hot racks from a smoker,
- handling a wood-burning stove, etc.
— you need gloves that offer both heat resistance and exceptional grip. That’s where silicone gloves truly shine. It’s an ideal choice for wood-fired oven users and anyone who loves to grill, bake, or barbecue.
Silicone is well-known for its ability to handle intense heat without melting or deforming. Most silicone gloves are designed to resist 900-1000F, while some can resist up to 1400F or higher. This means you can confidently adjust logs or set charcoal lumps without worrying about your gloves failing you.
That’s not all! Silicone gloves also strike the perfect balance of heat protection and finger flexibility. They allow you to grip and manipulate your culinary creations with ease. The gloves’ pliable nature enables you to maintain full control over your movements.
Moreover, these gloves are generally easy to clean and maintain. They can often be wiped clean with a damp cloth, allowing for hassle-free clean-up.
Kevlar and Nomex
Kevlar or Aramid and Nomex gloves are widely used insulation materials for professional-quality gloves. They are flame-retardant, cut-resistant gloves/oven mitts.
For tasks such as:
- grabbing hot pizza stones,
- adjusting racks,
- or pulling meats off the smoker…
— These gloves provide the necessary protection and functionality. Depending on the brand, these gloves can handle up to 932F.
These gloves mostly come with either a plush quilted cotton or silicone exterior. I personally loved the cotton variant, as the quilted cotton lining provides a soft and comfy sensation against your skin.
However, the silicone exterior option takes grip and dexterity to a whole new level. The silicone surface offers outstanding traction. This ensures you can firmly hold onto those sizzling hot pizza stones. If you prioritize precision and control over cushy comfort, go for silicone.
Many high-end Nomex and Kevlar pizza oven gloves often come with extended cuffs. This gives your wrists and lower arms an extra layer of protection. This is especially handy when reaching deep into your pizza oven or dealing with fiery hot coals. Neat, eh?
Neoprene
Neoprene-coated oven gloves are another highly safe option for both home and professional bakers and grillmasters. Neoprene boasts outstanding thermal insulation properties, making it ideal for withstanding high temperatures. Plus, unlike some other heat-resistant materials, Neoprene doesn’t hinder your dexterity.
How to Choose the Right Pair of Pizza Oven Gloves – Factors to Keep in Mind
On the lookout for your first-ever pair of gloves for your pizza oven? Allow me to help you make the right decision. Below I have outlined the key factors to keep in mind while weighing your options:
Heat-resistance
Heat resistance should be your ultimate priority when shopping for oven gloves. The best pizzas are made in the hottest ovens. So you’d want gloves that can handle the heat without breaking a sweat.
Consider the temperature range of your pizza oven. And make sure the gloves you choose are specifically designed to withstand those high temperatures.
For lower-temperature pizza ovens, such as those that operate in the range of 400°F to 600°F (204°C to 316°C), gloves made of heat-resistant fabrics like Kevlar insulated cotton oven mitts can provide excellent protection. These materials offer durability and heat resistance. Therefore, they are a reliable choice for handling hot pizza stones, cast iron skillets, or adjusting oven racks.
If you have a more intense wood-fired pizza oven that reaches temperatures above 600°F (316°C) and can even surpass 900°F (482°C), you’ll want to step up your glove game. In this case, look for gloves that feature specialized materials like aluminized leather or silicone.
Comfort, Dexterity, and Length
In addition to heat resistance, also look out for comfort and functionality. You don’t want to carry searing hot baking stones or Dutch ovens wearing a pair of uncomfortable gloves.
Features like a no-slip grip, a soft and breathable lining fabric, and finger mobility are just as important as heat protection. Extended cuffs can provide added protection for your wrists and forearm. This is especially important when reaching deep into the oven or dealing with hot coals.
As far as mobility goes, nothing beats gloves with silicone and leather exterior, in my view. However, if your hands sweat a lot, Kevlar-reinforced cotton-padded mitts might be a better choice for you.
Waterproof and Machine Washable
Imagine confidently grabbing a boiling pot or a sizzling hot tray without worrying about hot liquid through and burning your hands. With waterproof gloves, you can tackle those messy kitchen tasks with ease and peace of mind.
Now, let’s address the cleaning conundrum. After a culinary adventure, the last thing you want is to spend ages scrubbing your gloves. That’s where machine-washable gloves come to the rescue.
Simply pop them in the dishwasher, and let the machine work its magic. Silicone and leather gloves are much easier to clean compared with cotton gloves. This is owing to their water-resistant, slippery surface. For a professional setup, I’d choose something that can be cleaned and dried in a jiffy.
Best Pizza Oven Gloves Reviews
1. Ooni Pizza Oven Gloves
The first thing that stood out to me is how comfortable these gloves are. The fit is just right, and the soft interior lining feels cozy against my skin. I can wear them for extended periods without any discomfort, allowing me to focus on creating the perfect pizza.
As far as protection is concerned, these gloves truly excel. The thick material provides outstanding insulation. It ensures that my hands and forearms stay safe from the intense heat of the pizza oven.
I appreciate the extra coverage they offer by extending high up on the forearm. More peace of mind! I can hold hot stones or grill pans without feeling anything through them.
What impressed me the most was the durability of these gloves. Even after numerous uses, they still maintain their shape and show no signs of wear and tear. I feel confident that they will stand the test of time.
Coming to the cons, I’d say getting the flour off the gloves is a bit difficult. But that’s just me nitpicking for the sake of it.
2. Aillary 932°F Extreme Heat Resistant Gloves
I recently had the pleasure of trying out the Aillary 932°F Extreme Heat Resistant Gloves. Right off the bat, I want to mention that they cannot withstand temp even close to 932 degrees. The max temperature it can handle safely is 500F, that too only for a few seconds.
That said, flipping a hefty brisket, moving meat on the smoker, or carrying piping hot pizza stones is a breeze with these gloves. I was also able to handle hot coals wearing them. But you need to be mindful not to touch the coals for too long. Coming to the fitting, I have large hands, so they are a perfect fit for me.
But if you are someone with shorter hands, it could be a tad loose-fitting for you. That said, these gloves are definitely built well for the price. And if your pizza oven temperature ranges somewhere between 450-500F, you can and should definitely consider buying them.
3. Cuisinart CGM-520 Heat Resistant Silicone Gloves
Given the size of the gloves shown in the picture, I decided to purchase these silicone gloves for my kid, who loves all things barbecue just as much as I do.
These are made with thick silicone, with no fabric liner, which makes them super easy to clean but also a little difficult to put on and off. It’s not even nearly as snuggly as my Ooni pizza oven gloves, though.
I’d recommend these gloves to anyone expecting basic protection while grabbing hot food right from the oven or BBQ grill. My son has been using it for over a year now, and I’m yet to see any signs of wear or tear whatsoever. So they are definitely built to last.
That said, for tasks that involve exposing your hands to extreme heat, you’re better off with a sturdier pair of gloves with extended forearm protection.
How to Properly Care For and Maintain Your Pizza Oven Gloves?
Before I wrap up, allow me to spill the beans on how to properly care for pizza oven gloves:
Clean After Each Use
Give your gloves a wipe-down with a damp cloth to remove any lingering food bits or oily residue. No need to go all Hulk on ’em with harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners; a gentle touch will do.
Hand-Wash or Machine-Wash
Now, here’s the deal: you can either give those gloves a good old-fashioned hand wash or let your washing machine do the job. If you go for hand-washing, grab some mild dish soap and warm water, and get scrubbing.
If you’re more of a “toss it in the machine” kind of chef, that’s cool too. Just toss those gloves in a mesh laundry bag or cozy pillowcase to keep them safe during the wash cycle. Choose a gentle or delicate cycle with cold water and mild detergent. Make sure the gloves are completely dry before you store them away.
Inspect for Battle Wounds
Just like any seasoned warrior, your gloves might get a little battle-worn over time. So, be sure to give ’em a once-over every now and then. Keep an eye out for loose threads, holes, or weak spots. If you spot any damage, it’s time to retire those gloves and recruit a fresh pair.
Store Them Right
Kindly do not crumple or fold those gloves like yesterday’s newspaper. Treat ’em with respect! Consider investing in a glove holder or find a nifty hanging loop to keep them organized and ready for action.
The Bottom End
Pizza oven gloves are one of the most versatile culinary gear out there. So, choose the right gloves, and clean them diligently after each epic pizza battle. Store them like the treasures they are. With these mighty gloves by your side, you’ll create mouthwatering pies while keeping your hands burn-free.
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