by: Susan Gast / Author, Blogger at Beesville Books, Bored Boomers, and a Food Dehydrating Fanatic!
Whether you're a home chef or food preservation enthusiast like me, handling garlic can sometimes leave you with more than just flavorful dishes. Yep: Smelly hands - who wants that?
Tip re eating garlic: Share the meal with your partner so there will be zero complaints about garlic breath!
Here are my top ten tips to managing potent garlic safely, and effectively.
Don't just grab any gloves â choose strategically when handling garlic bulbs. Even though their 15 mil thickness might sound a bit like overkill, it isn't. Just get a pair that fit well because you don't want to be chopping off the tip of an oversized glove, right?
BEST CHOICE: Long rubber kitchen gloves
ALTERNATIVE: Heavy-duty nitrile gloves
AVOID: Latex gloves (can cause allergic reactions)
Steer clear of latex gloves as they're a bit on the flimsy side and don't deter garlic's pungent odor, or its stinging effect for some folks.
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Understanding your body's reactions is crucial. If you feel your hands swelling or get a rash when NOT wearing gloves - wear gloves!
IMMEDIATE REACTIONS TO BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR:
DELAYED REACTIONS:
WHEN TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION:
Gloves obviously act as an odor-barrier as you don't want your hands to smell like last Tuesday's dinner... all week.
The right tools make all the difference: high-carbon steel knives that maintain their edge through countless cloves, non-porous cutting boards that won't trap odors, and stainless steel bowls that resist both staining and lingering aromas.
PROTECTIVE GEAR:
PROCESSING TOOLS:
MAINTENANCE SUPPLIES:
Your tools matter as much as your technique. But it's not just about having the right equipment - it's about maintaining it properly with dedicated sanitizers, cleaning solutions, and proper storage containers.
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Set yourself up for success! First, check the garlic bulbs and remove the loose papery skin, trim the root ends, and sort the cloves by size.Discard damaged bulbs.
GARLIC PREPARATION:
WORKSPACE SETUP:
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS:
Make sure you can see what you're doing - work beneath good lighting!
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Minimize direct contact with these helpful tips. I have a great garlic press for fresh bulbs and it's stainless steel. So what? Well after a quick wash, there's never any residual garlic odor on it!
MANUAL TOOLS:
ELECTRIC OPTIONS:
SPECIALTY ITEMS:
There are electric options if you don't have strong hands to crush the garlic in a press. I prefer a manual crusher so there's no plastic involved, like if you use a food processor. Having said that, if your food processor's container is made of glass, go for it!
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If you don't want to use gloves, here's how to combat lingering garlic odors: Begin by rubbing hands thoroughly against a stainless steel surface or using a dedicated odor-removing bar, focusing on fingertips and palms with circular motions for at least 30 seconds.
IMMEDIATE TREATMENT:
FOLLOW-UP CARE:
PREVENTION METHODS:
This process should be immediately followed by washing hands in cool water with a pH-neutral soap, then patting them completely dry before applying a nourishing hand cream.
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Effective garlic storage combines proper temperature control with appropriate containment methods.
FREEZER STORAGE:
CONTAINER OPTIONS:
ORGANIZATION SYSTEM:
Store garlic in vacuum-sealed bags, or store in airtight glass or stainless steel containers. Don't forget to add the date on the label and rotate your stock!
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Create an ideal workspace! A well-optimized garlic processing environment requires proper ventilation either through open windows or strategically placed fans - and run your AC!
VENTILATION REQUIREMENTS:
TEMPERATURE CONTROL:
WORKSPACE LAYOUT:
Keep you and your garlic out of direct sunlight. The workspace should feature distinct clean and dirty zones, have tools within easy reach, and clear workflow paths.
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Protect yourself and others. Safety measures for garlic processing require having first aid supplies and eye wash stations. Have backup gloves, eye-wear, and masks when needed.
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS:
PERSONAL PROTECTION:
DOCUMENTATION:
I'm sorry this sounds like we're handling a bomb or something, but reactions to garlic differs from person to person!
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Take care of your hands. Proper post-garlic handling is simply a two-stage hand washing process with lukewarm water and pH-balanced soap, followed by immediate moisturizing and skin barrier application.
CLEANING PROTOCOL:
SKIN CARE:
EQUIPMENT CARE:
Monitor hands for irritation while allowing adequate recovery time. Meanwhile, clean and sanitize all equipment thoroughly, ensuring proper storage and preparation for future use.
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Food preservation doesn't have to be complicated, but it does require attention to detail. From preparing ingredients to final storage, following a step-by-step process helps ensure your preserved foods stay fresh and safe.
The key is to maintain clean equipment, monitor conditions carefully, and use proper storage methods to protect your hard work.
Remember: Successful garlic handling is about preparation, protection, and patience. With these guidelines, you can confidently work with garlic while keeping your hands and workspace fresh and irritation-free.
While you're here, please check out my "How to Dehydrate Garlic" and Julie's "Smoked Garlic Sea Salt."
Learn all about safely storing your dehydrated foods here. That page covers everything from the tools you need: a food vacuum sealer, plastic lidded bins, #2 food-grade buckets with lids, along with Mason jars, and Mylar bags.
Let's NOT forget the all-important oxygen absorbers and what size you need.
Don't forget to get your free "Six Simple Steps" eBook where I share how to dehydrate food safely!
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Hi, I'm Susan Gast and I've been making food preservation simple since 2010.
Let me show you how to keep your food pantry full, whatever the reason or season!
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Hi, I'm Susan Gast and I've been making food preservation simple since 2010. Let me show you how to keep your food pantry full, whatever the reason or season!
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THANKS for your support! Read full disclosure here.
easy FOOD DEHYDRATING: Making food preservation simple since 2010.
I show you how to keep your food pantry full, whatever the reason or season!
AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: I am an Affiliate for Amazon, and other sellers of quality merchandise.
Should you purchase an item through their links, I may receive compensation. The price you pay does not increase.
THANKS for your support! Read full disclosure here.
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easy FOOD DEHYDRATING: Making food preservation simple since 2010. I show you how to keep your food pantry full, whatever the reason or season!
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