5 replies to this topic

[eveline]

Recently I learned to make hard candy.

In one of the process, we need to handle VERY HOT lump of candy (liquid sugar mixture) and try to mould it.
The candy is very hot and has a acidic characteristic.

The instructor show the work wearing a cloth glove.
Is this permitted in safe-food practices?

What is the more suitable glove material, considering the candy is very hot (>300F) and very acidic?
I heard latex or nitrile are to thin and weak to resist the heat and acid.

thank you...

[Charles.C]

Dear Eveline,

welcome to the forum !

The instructor show the work wearing a cloth glove.Is this permitted in safe-food practices?

Interesting question. What was the instructor's answer ?

Normally cotton not recommended for direct food-handling as you obviously know.

It seems that other people can work with rubber gloves, or maybe rubber over cotton if your hand too hot -

http://www.baking911...y/101_intro.htm

(my guess the glove may not last too long, i noticed similar problem for BBQ lovers )

Rgds / Charles.C

PS - silicone gloves are another possibility but presumably expensive

[eveline]

Thank you Charles...

Actually the instructor is not yet aware of the food safety aspect. So far he only manages to concern about the confectioner's hand safety.
But, obviously, when I make my own candy, I prefer it to be safe

Regarding the link you post, it mentioned about "cleaning gloves", what kin of glove do you think are they?
Are those the ones we wear when handling cleaning chemicals in bathrooms, like bleach?
Are the suitable for food processing?

What about silicone gloves? are they inert for high temperature, high acid contact?
maybe you can reference some more information about silicone gloves.


Thank you............

[Charles.C]

Dear Eveline -

Regarding the link you post, it mentioned about "cleaning gloves", what kin of glove do you think are they?

Your guess is as good as mine ! Some more searching (for you?) suggested.

Generally, I suggest you hv a look at these posts / threads for glove knowledge –

http://www.ifsqn.com...dpost__p__37867


http://www.ifsqn.com...dpost__p__39968

Regarding silocne –

http://www.nextag.co...ve/compare-html

Not exactly cheap !

Rgds / Charles.C

[eveline]

Thank you Charles....

very extensive explanation....

i think silicone might be the answer...

[MRios]

It seems that most candymakers use cotton gloves, especially chocolate makers, so as not to leave fingerprints on the chocolate.
Indeed, cotton wouldn´t be a very good surface to work with, because it´s porous. Going a bit off topic, this would be similar to making baguettes the artisan way, in which you have to "cradle" the baguette in a piece of fabric (usually cotton) during it´s fermentation.
Does anyone from the artisan bread industry know how that would be handled? Frequency of changing these cloths / fabric?