How to Handle Hot Peppers Safely

Hot peppers demand respect. Capsaicin oil clings to skin, burns eyes, and turns cooking into regret if you skip safety steps. Follow these guidelines to handle peppers from mild to extreme without injury.

Essential Safety Gear

Gloves

Always wear nitrile or latex gloves when cutting hot or very hot peppers (25,000+ SHU). Disposable gloves work best because you can discard them immediately after use. Cloth or reusable gloves absorb capsaicin and become contaminated.

For extreme peppers (350,000+ SHU), double-glove. The outer layer catches most oils, while the inner layer protects if the first glove tears.

Eye Protection

When processing large batches of hot peppers or anything above 100,000 SHU, wear safety glasses or goggles. Blending and chopping release capsaicin aerosols that irritate eyes and lungs.

Ventilation

Work near an open window, under a vent hood, or outdoors. Capsaicin vapor causes coughing, watery eyes, and throat irritation. Never blend superhot peppers in a closed kitchen without airflow.

Safe Cutting Techniques

Stabilize the Pepper

Place peppers on a stable cutting board. Use a sharp knife to avoid slipping and cutting yourself. A dull knife requires more pressure, increasing the chance of losing control.

Remove Seeds and Membranes

To reduce heat, cut the pepper in half lengthwise and scrape out the white placental tissue and seeds with a spoon. This removes 50-90% of the capsaicin. Discard seeds and membranes in a sealed bag, not down the sink.

Chop Away from Your Body

Always cut downward and away from yourself. Never slice toward your hands or torso. Capsaicin-covered blade accidents are painful and hard to treat.

What to Do If You Touch Your Eyes

If capsaicin oil contacts your eyes despite precautions:

1. Do not rub. Rubbing spreads the oil and worsens irritation.
2. Flush immediately with cool water for 10-15 minutes. Use an eyewash station or run water gently from a cup.
3. Apply whole milk to a clean cloth and hold it over closed eyelids. Casein protein in milk binds to capsaicin.
4. If pain persists or vision blurs, seek medical attention.

Removing Capsaicin from Skin

Water alone does not remove capsaicin. Use these methods instead:

• Dish soap and oil: Rub hands with dish soap and a small amount of cooking oil. The soap breaks down the oil, and the fat dissolves capsaicin. Rinse with warm water.
• Rubbing alcohol: Soak a cotton ball in isopropyl alcohol and wipe affected skin. Alcohol dissolves capsaicin quickly.
• Baking soda paste: Mix baking soda with water to form a paste. Rub onto skin, let sit for 5 minutes, then rinse. Baking soda neutralizes acids and helps lift oils.
• Dairy: Soak hands in whole milk or yogurt for 5 minutes. Casein binds to capsaicin and removes it from skin.

Cleaning Contaminated Surfaces

Capsaicin lingers on cutting boards, knives, and countertops. Clean all surfaces thoroughly:

• Wash cutting boards with hot, soapy water, then spray with diluted bleach or vinegar.
• Soak knives in soapy water, then wipe with rubbing alcohol.
• Wipe counters with a mixture of dish soap and baking soda.

Never reuse cutting boards for other foods until they are fully cleaned. Capsaicin residue can transfer to fruits, vegetables, and hands.

Handling Extreme Peppers

Peppers above 800,000 SHU (Ghost Pepper, Carolina Reaper, Trinidad Scorpion) require extra precautions:

• Work outdoors or in a well-ventilated garage: Indoor kitchens trap fumes.
• Wear a mask or respirator: Protect your lungs from capsaicin aerosols.
• Double-glove: Use two layers of nitrile gloves.
• Avoid touching your face: Even with gloves, oils can transfer. Keep hands below shoulder level.
• Dispose of gloves immediately: Seal used gloves in a plastic bag before throwing them away.

What Not to Do

• Do not touch contact lenses: Remove lenses before handling peppers. Capsaicin transfers to lenses and burns eyes for hours.
• Do not use bare hands: Even mild peppers can irritate sensitive skin. Gloves prevent problems.
• Do not blend without a lid: Blending hot peppers uncovered sprays capsaicin mist everywhere.
• Do not ignore warning signs: If your throat tightens, breathing becomes difficult, or skin blisters, seek medical help immediately.

Treating Capsaicin Burns

If you ingest too much heat or get capsaicin on sensitive skin:

• Drink whole milk: Casein neutralizes capsaicin in your mouth and throat.
• Eat bread or rice: Starchy foods absorb capsaicin oils.
• Avoid water: Water spreads capsaicin and intensifies the burn.
• Apply dairy topically: For skin burns, yogurt or sour cream provides relief.

Capsaicin is not dangerous in food-safe amounts, but it causes serious discomfort if mishandled. Respect the pepper, use protection, and never underestimate the heat. The Ministry of Heat Affairs recommends caution, preparation, and a sense of humor when the burn gets real.