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By: Roger Joss - Updated: 2 days ago

Welcome to my little corner of culinary delights.

In past articles, I often applied physics to cooking.  Such a background helps one to become a better cook.  However, regarding dresswear versus the weather, I am no expert.  But I will explain how knowing cooking physics helps one to be a cool person. 

I had, long ago, explained the thick heavy chef’s coat.  How it protects one from the heat in a commercial kitchen.  I shell not reiterate.  Now I step outside of my comfort zone to attempt a subject somewhat incongruous to cooking.  I therefore welcome any corrections.

To boil water in an open pot, the liquid evaporates quickly.  A covered pot traps the liquid; thus, slowing down evaporation.  If the sun directly hits the skin, the sweat is quickly burnt off and salt is left behind.  To keep the skin from blistering, more sweat must immediately be produced.  Therefore, one dehydrates quickly; directly proportionate to the amount of exposed skin. 

Although evaporation cools, excessive evaporation does not necessarily make one cooler.  Example, fluctuate the heat on boiling water, the water temperature remains the same (212°F).  The difference is that of needless water loss at the higher temperature.  Nothing more is accomplished.

When baking, we learn that dark baking pans absorb heat and glossy ones reflect it.  Therefore, the food in darker pans burn quicker and sooner.  It works the same with summer heat.  Dark clothes absorb heat.  Whereas, light colored clothes reflect it.  It is no wonder chef’s coats are normally white.

The bottom line is this; if you wish to protect your skin from ultraviolet rays, cover it.  Also, covered arms and legs allows minimum evaporation due to the cloth as it keeps the rest of your moister close to the skin.  This prevents the need for producing excessive sweat.  In turn, you are therefore cooled and spared excessive dehydration.  Recall how cool, even cold, a wet shirt feels when hit by a breeze?  Yes, you see, it works.

None of the above is new.  I cannot take credit.  You find the same advice in hiking manuals, Boy Scout books, Safety manuals, etc.  They explain the need to wear long-sleeved, loose-fitting garments on the hottest of days.  They suggest always taking water with you.  But what if you work in an environment that forbids loose fitting garments?

For many years during my youth, I worked in toolrooms, in all weather, as a tool and die maker.  It could get to be 120 degrees in an enclosed toolroom.  If a sleeve got snagged by a lathe chuck, it could rip your arm off, or worse, pull you into the lathe.  I would wear a short sleeve shirt.  But under it, I wore a long-sleeve close-fitting thermal shirt. 

Many were amazed how well I could stand the heat and how little water I needed.  The impression of long-sleeves in summer time is that of appearing hot and crazy.  Do not judge until experienced.

Until next time, peace to all.

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