Reducing 'hot pepper burn' on fingers

Amos Miller
Amos Miller February 9, 2011

When you are working with any hot peppers or chiles - from jalapenos to habaneros - the concern is always how to protect your eyes and other body parts from the burning that comes from the potent juices.

There are two options I know of, but I'm open to others:
1) use latex gloves (which I never do, unless I nick myself with the knife) or, 2) drizzle and distribute a bit of any kitchen oil on the fingers of the hand that will hold the peppers as you split and remove the rib and seeds. The oil will be an extremely effective barrier from the potent juices.

When you have finished prepping the hot peppers, wash your hands twice with soap and warm water. You should not be able to even feel heat on that working hand when it is dry, and it will virtually eliminate concerns about accidentally rubbing your eye, or when you take a personal break from the kitchen.

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Claudia lamascolo
Claudia lamascolo February 10, 2011 01:06
Re: Reducing 'hot pepper burn' on fingers

What great info for us thanks so much! This is awesome! I never use gloves either!

Daniel Saraga
Daniel Saraga February 10, 2011 13:15
Re: Reducing 'hot pepper burn' on fingers

great tip! Does this even work for Scotch Bonnets? I burned myself once with those.

Amos Miller
Amos Miller February 10, 2011 15:41
Re: Reducing 'hot pepper burn' on fingers

This is one time we don't want to "feel the burn"!

I do the "qwik lube" with canola any time I'm processing any hot peppers. Just be careful with the knife and keep the oil on your knife hand to a minimum. With the Scotch Bonnets, you'll find the multiple hand wash process - maybe 3 in this case - will neutralize the capsin.

I also put a little oil on my knife hand after I've finished processing the peppers. That way, when I wash, I avoid any transfer of the pepper's oils to the unprotected hand.

John Spottiswood
John Spottiswood February 14, 2011 06:01
Re: Reducing 'hot pepper burn' on fingers

Cool tip, Amos. Thanks for sharing!

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