Whatever the weather, we Brits love a barbecue, and we're not afraid to stand under an umbrella to make it happen. Something else you don't want to get in the way of your cooking is injuries to your hands from the flames. Insulated flame and heat resistant gloves, made from protective materials like aramid, silicone and leather, will stop these from occurring.
From small to extra large and long to short, you'll be able to find the right glove style for you no matter what size your hands are or how much of your arm you want covered. Well-loved brands like Weber have created mitts to match their smokers and barbecues that you can find on Amazon and John Lewis allowing you to feel safe while grilling up a storm.
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Many people don't wear gloves when they barbecue, but once you start, you won't want to stop. They permit you to feel more in control when flipping your burgers, and they don't have to be an expensive investment either. We'll go through the key ingredients that go into making the best barbecue gloves, and show you how to get your hands on – or, should we say in – them.
In order to protect your hands from the heat, barbecue gloves need to be thick. This means they are made of from multiple layers of different materials. We're going to walk you through each layer and what you should be looking for from it.
The outer layer of your barbecue gloves is your first line of defence against the heat. It needs to be tough but flexible to allow for maximum movement so you can cook with ease.
The most common materials used as an outer material are leather, silicone and aramid fibres. Leather is a natural material, and in the case of barbecue gloves, it normally comes from cows, meaning it is not vegan.
If you'd prefer to avoid animal products, go for silicone or aramid fibre, synthetics that are specially designed to be able to withstand incredibly high temperatures. Because it can be woven in a fabric-like texture, aramid gives gloves flexibility and can be more comfortable to wear. Silicone, on the other hand, has a more rigid structure, which may limit movement.
Unlike the outer layer of barbecue gloves, you want the inside to be soft and cushioning. They probably won't be the most comfortable gloves in the world, but comfy cotton or polyester linings will help make them much more wearable.
This inner layer is not just for comfort, though, as it also has an important role to play in adding insulation. There will probably be multiple layers of cotton or polyester to prevent any heat from getting through, and you might see that other materials like aluminium foil have been included to provide even more protection.
Gloves are great at protecting your hands, but what about the rest of your arms that also come pretty close to the heat? Well, though there is some variation, most barbecue gloves come further up your forearms than a standard pair of gloves would.
Short barbecue gloves tend to cover the wrist and perhaps a bit of the forearm. Long gloves, on the other hand, will cover the majority of your forearms. It's up to you how much you want your arms to be covered as this might depend on the size of your barbecue, how often you use it, and how hot a day it is.
More often than not, barbecue gloves will come in just one standard size. This isn't as much of an issue as it is for other gloves as you are probably only going to be wearing them for a relatively short amount of time, but it's still far safer and more comfortable to find the best fit you can.
If you know your hands are smaller, look for a range that offers a 'small' size. This is especially true if you're a woman as most barbecue gloves cater to men's sizing.
Size variation doesn't just come in the form of the size of the hand portion of the glove, but also in its length. You might have a choice of how far you want to the gloves to come up your arm, which is again useful if you are smaller.
Most barbecue gloves will have additions that make them easier to use and store. The first of these to look out for is grip, which will normally come in the form of plastic or silicone patches with added texture on the palms. Extra grip will make sure that hot, heavy objects stay in your hands.
After you're done with your barbecue gloves, you might have a specific space that you want to store them. If this space is a hook, you're going to want to check that your gloves have hanging loops. These feature at the top of the cuff and are especially useful if you're trying to dry them after a wash.
Different gloves requires different washing methods, and it's important you double check which one is suitable so you don't damage them and potentially reduce their heat resistance.
Some gloves can handle machine or even dishwashing, which substantially speeds up the cleaning process. However, the majority – particularly those made from leather – require a more sensitive touch. Some you'll be able to hand wash, but lots of gloves will ask that the most you do is gently wipe them clean.
£13.99
Silicone gloves that are comfortable and flexible? Sounds like the perfect combination to us, and one that this pair from Dualeco have mastered. Despite being made mostly from silicone, the soft fleece interior and fabric cuffs mean they won't feel at all uncomfortable to wear.
They are waterproof, which not only makes them great for cooking with boiling water and steam, but it also means that they are machine washable. Saving you this time and effort means your gloves can always be fresh for your next barbecue, ready for you when you want to pick up the tongs.
£21.95
Another incredibly heat-resistant option, these gloves are made from a material that has all the grip of rubber but manages to be a lot more breathable. In addition to the grip provide by the material itself, it has a rough-textured surface to make things even more secure.
Not being made from leather means these long gloves are super easy to wipe clean, and as a result are a more hygienic alternative. These versatile gloves are just as good for flipping your steak as they are for flipping coals, plus you can get them in two different lengths.
£19.99
While they may look similar to other choices on this list, the thing that makes these gloves stand out is their incredible heat resistance. Testing showed that they are resistant up to 932°C for 15 seconds, a temperature that you won't even find on the grill of your barbecue!
The aluminium layer lies partly behind this anti-heat super-strength, adding substantial insulation to the long gauntlets. They might not have any specific silicone grip, but these gloves are still slip resistant thanks to the special suede material you can find on the fingers and palms.
£9.99
The ergonomic design makes these gloves a good choice for people who know they'll be barbecuing for hours on end. The soft cotton and flexible silicone means you get optimal freedom of movement, just what you need if you're sipping a beer as you barbecue.
If you're slipping these gloves on quickly, you don't need to worry about which hands they end up on as they can go on either. They also have hanging loops, something that not all gloves of this style have.
£16.99
Heat can get through any gaps it can find, but the welted seams and strong stitches on these gloves means you have nothing to worry about. These gloves are designed for welding in addition to barbecues, so they are well-prepared for dealing with the hottest of temperatures.
Extra heat protection is added in the form of a layer of aluminium insulation, which reflects heat away from the hands. This means that vulnerable areas like the palm, thumb crutch and fingertips are kept extra safe.
£47.99
These gloves are another entry on this list from the barbecue brand Weber, but this time in a style which is much more lightweight and easier to wear. The silicone palms add the grip you need when carrying heavy items, and the soft cotton lining will make you feel comfortable while doing so.
Though good quality, these gloves aren't cheap, especially considering they don't bring anything new or exciting to the table. They also have no loops for storing, which could be irritating if you want to be able to hang them.
£3.98
The big bonus of these gloves is that they can be washed in the dishwasher along with all your other dirty barbecue utensils. This makes keeping them clean and hygienic really simple, a necessary thing when you're using your gloves to handle food.
The heavy-duty silicone that covers these does a great job at stopping heat in its tracks, but it does mean that these gloves lack flexibility and prohibit movement. Plus, they are designed for men but only come in one fit, which makes the sizing a little confusing.
£24.00
For sunny barbecues on hot days, you're going to want the lightest gloves you can get away with while still feeling fully protected. These gloves are so light and flexible you'll forget you're wearing them, and their ambidextrous design means you can wear them on whichever hand you like.
The sleeves on these gloves are short, especially when compared to other gloves on this list, so you will need to be careful of your forearms when using them.
£10.68
If you're into your barbecuing, you'll recognise this brand instantly. Weber are a market leader when it comes to outdoor grilling, and they make plenty of accessories to assist this activity. These gloves are much softer than most on this list, more resembling oven gloves in their look and feel.
A mitt without any fingers won't give you as much control as a glove does, something to take into account if you are prone to being clumsy. It is also not the best value for money as you only get one mitt for the price, meaning if you want a set, you're going to have to spend double.
£11.99
With their cosy fleece lining, these are some of the most comfy leather barbecue gloves on this list. The suede outer layer is also super soft, but this softness doesn't mean there's a lack of protection. In fact, the padded palms ensure that you don't feel the heat.
There aren't any loops to hang these gloves up, so you won't be able to use that as a storage method, and because they are made from leather, this is a pair to avoid for people who don't wear animal-derived products.
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