Best Disposable Gloves For Cooking

Buying disposable gloves

Gloves are essential items within the catering industry, as they protect the skin during cleaning tasks and help to prevent contamination in food preparation tasks. Which gloves are the best for each task and what are the requirements for your staff?

Choosing the right gloves can be difficult with such a large choice of materials on offer, including latex, nitrile, neoprene and vinyl. Do you know which gloves you might need for a particular task? What advantage do certain materials have over the others?

Gloves should never be a substitute for washing hands or using disinfectant. They must provide suitable protection against potential hazards and suit the wearer in terms of size and material, as some people have allergies to some of the common materials used.

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Which gloves are best for food preparation and cleaning tasks?

Disposable gloves for food handling

Blue powder-free vinyl gloves are the perfect choice for food preparation tasks, as they are food safe, highly detectable and cost-effective, which is why they are used frequently in mobile catering and food prep areas.

Disposable gloves for cleaning

Latex gloves are ideal for cleaning as they are robust, reliable and provide outstanding protection from chemicals and infection.

THE TASK IN HAND

Thicker gloves generally provide greater resistance to chemicals or mechanical damage, but can also impair grip and movement which puts safety at risk. Thinner gloves do not offer a high level of protection against physical hazards.

Any task which involves prolonged contact with water, especially when mixed with detergent and other cleaning chemicals can cause dermatitis. These tasks are collectively known as 'wet work' and require a waterproof glove.

Disposable Gloves vs. Reusable Gloves

Disposable gloves are generally thin, allowing the user good sensitivity and free movement but on the whole offer poorer resistance to chemical stress.

Reusable gloves have a longer cuff length than a disposable glove made of the same material, and so offer better protection from liquids entering at the top of the glove. They need to be washed and dried after use to avoid skin contamination, and need checking for any cracks or damage regularly.

Size and Comfort

If gloves are too tight they provide less grip and will generally make hands feel tired. On the other hand, gloves which are too large can create folds which can be uncomfortable and restrict the wearer's movement.

In most cases it's possible to wear cotton gloves underneath protective gloves as these can increase comfort and absorb excess moisture after perspiration. The cotton gloves can be laundered and re-used, therefore proving a cost effective measure.

INDUSTRY TERMS

Manufacturers use the following terms to measure how well their gloves perform under certain conditions:

Degradation

Degradation refers to the damage caused by changes in the physical properties of the glove upon contact with a certain chemical. Signs of degradation are usually visible in the form of swelling, loss of free movement and flexibility of the glove. Resistance to degradation is usually rated on a scale of poor to excellent.

Breakthrough Time

Breakthrough time is a measure of how quickly a chemical can permeate, or pass through a glove. Thinner gloves will have a shorter breakthrough time. You should never rely on touch alone to detect breakthrough as skin exposure occurs long before it is felt.

Permeation Rate

Permeation rate refers to the rate at which a chemical can pass through an intact glove by a process of diffusion without damaging the glove.

MOST COMMON MATERIALS USED

Latex

Latex rubber is a natural product, and it is used in gloves because it offers great performance and comfort. However, as some people are allergic to latex gloves there are many other materials used in the manufacture of gloves.

Ideal for: protection from infection, and good for handling inorganic chemicals.

Nitrile Rubber

Gloves are made from nitrile rubber as this material has a similar feel to a latex glove without the risk of allergies and skin irritation.

Ideal for: splash protection against chemicals.

Vinyl

Gloves made from vinyl are the most cost-effective, but are also less elastic than those made from latex and nitrile. These gloves are perfect for shorter tasks where comfort is not the biggest priority or a situation where frequent glove changes are required. Vinyl gloves have the lowest resistance to punctures and chemical stress, which is why they are not recommended when handling potentially hazardous substances.

Ideal for: food hygiene, protection against soiling and low hazard chemicals.

Neoprene

Neoprene gloves are commonly used in medical surgery, as they provide protection from volatile chemicals, acids, oils and grease. Neoprene gloves are also very cost-efficient but not as much as vinyl.

Ideal for: handling alcohols, fuels, peroxides and hydrocarbons.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND COMMON TERMS

What is a beaded cuff?

Many disposable gloves are supplied with a beaded cuff as this provides extra durability and make it easier to put them on.

What does 'cotton flocklined' mean?

Cotton flocklined gloves are designed to reduce friction on the skin when they are being worn, making them more comfortable when used for long periods, this also helps to reduce perspiration.

Why are some gloves chlorinated?

Chlorination is a process which is often used in the manufacture of heavy duty gloves. The addition of chlorine hardens and strengthens the surface of the glove, making it more suitable for high risk applications than a standard household glove.

What are the benefits of Nitrile gloves?

Nitrile gloves have a higher resistance to rips and tears than other gloves made of latex or PVC and therefore provide greater durability.