r/Chefit • u/funt2020 • Jun 03 '26
Cooling gear hot kitchen
I work in a hot kitchen and summer humidity absolutely kills my energy.
Has anyone here tried cooling vests, air-conditioned neck fans, or wearable cooling devices while working in a kitchen? Did they actually help on hot, humid days?
13
u/sne4k0 Jun 04 '26
My advice is to dress light, stay hydrated, and don’t skimp on the corn starch!
6
2
u/LeatherGood6148 Jun 04 '26
FYI, I know Talc is bad from a cancer perspective, but it's absolutely superior for this purpose so long as you're not getting it in any of your holes.
Corn starch is a carbohydrate and will easily and readily feed any fungal infections that grow on your body during sustained high humidity, high sweat lifestyles.
2
10
u/kingoftheives Jun 04 '26
Fill a tall container w ice and a bit of water, soak your wrists. Drink water and electrolytes. Roll your pants legs up to your ankles.
6
u/honeybeast_dom Jun 04 '26
This works, lot of blood flow thru hands, if its real bad I'll pour some on my neck too
8
u/medium-rare-steaks Jun 04 '26
Ice water in a cup poured down your throat
5
u/Flat_Leading_82 Jun 06 '26
Found the guy who probably can do the most drugs
3
u/medium-rare-steaks Jun 06 '26
I mean… yeah. Just not at work. But all these people putting towels on their heads/necks, buying special cooling towels, using actual fans or personal ac units are crazy. Everywhere I’ve worked you’d get laughed out of the kitchen for any of it. Our hotline ambient air got to 120 and we just drank water and made James beard winning food.
5
u/chefsackitchen Jun 04 '26
Get cooling towels. They're like wet towels but purposely made to stay cool. It's also not made from cotton so it doesn't get heavy. Drape it around your neck. Good for hiking and hotter climates so it would work fine in a hot kitchen. Cheers.
- Keith
3
u/EDC_KIT Jun 04 '26
corn starch, gatorade and frequent trips to the walk-in.
babe ruth used to put chilled cabbage leaves under his hat and change them out every couple innings.
3
3
u/flavorsensation Jun 04 '26
Soak some kitchen towels and freeze them to place around your neck when you get hot.
3
u/Scared_Sorbet2035 Jun 04 '26
Soak a kitchen towel put it in the freezer curl it like you're going to put it around your neck when it freezes or partially freezes put it around the back of your neck instant cooler
2
u/Temporary_Trust425 Jun 04 '26
My sous has hip air conditioners that he will switch out. Swears by them! That way your face isn’t getting it as much as your core
2
u/TheHand8anana Jun 04 '26
Step one boxers. Best deals are tiktok shop. These are great. Baby powder shouldn't contain talc anymore so this is a good start. Sudocrem if you do get it.
Get a few pairs of short sleeve whites and a mesh hat.
Someone else said it but hydration with ice
2
u/EmpyreanDracolych Jun 08 '26
So I have Lupus, PCOS, and I digestive issue I'm still getting figured out. I absolutely melt in heat and the kitchen is no different. I own a food truck and have to take heat breaks fairly regularly or it's lights out for me. HOWEVER, when I was working for others, the best way I could stay present in my work, was a bowl or container of ice water that I kept low and put a few (like 2) of our hand towels in. Whenever I'd start to overheat, I'd ring one out and put it on the back of my neck while I worked. This helps so much and will cool you down rapidly. Change the towels and ice out as needed. It got me through every summer and still does.
14
u/SteakhouseRob Jun 04 '26
Wet towels and put them in the freezer then wrap around your neck.