The Clever Shucking Hack That Removes Corn Silk In Seconds

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When it comes to summertime rituals, shucking fresh corn on the cob has got to be right at the top of the list. Whether you're grilling corn like Bobby Flay or making a batch of sweet corn ice cream, there's nothing more satisfying than peeling back the green husks to reveal the rows of fresh kernels underneath. There's one pesky obstacle to overcome before the corn can go in the steamer or boiling pot, though: removing all the corn silk. If you've ever wasted time trying to remove every stubborn, sticky strand one by one, it's time to embrace a better way. All you need is a clean pair of rubber dishwashing gloves and you can remove all the corn silk in seconds. No more endless picking, and no need to buy any single-use gadgets.

Shucking corn with a pair of rubber gloves might look a little silly at first, but when you see how efficiently the process works, you'll never shuck with bare hands again. Thanks to the slightly tacky texture of the rubber, the strands of silk stick to the surface of the gloves. Basically, the same quality that makes them ideal for gripping wet, soapy dishes makes them the perfect tool for sweeping away sticky corn silk. The best part? You probably have a pair of gloves under your sink right now.

Using rubber dish gloves to remove corn silk is simple. Remove the husk (our favorite hack is a quick spin in the microwave to loosen it up), then rub your gloved hands across the surface of the kernels. The silk will cling to the gloves and pull away in one or two quick sweeps. It doesn't require a lot of pressure, because the tiny grooves in the surface of the gloves will grab on to the strands.

The other perk of using rubber dish gloves for shucking is that they make it a lot easier to handle the corn, even if it's a little wet. Just like porcelain bowls are hard to hold on to in soapy water, corn can get a little unruly when there's water present. The gloves can help you keep things stable while you work your way through the stack of cobs. Water can also make it harder to remove the silk, while the gloves act a little bit like a lint roller to remove it.

If you don't already own a pair of rubber gloves for washing dishes, you can pick up a pair for less than $10, and they're great for all kinds of kitchen tasks besides scrubbing pots. This pair of Casabella Waterblock Premium Gloves will work perfectly and come in fun colors, or grab a pack of SteadMax Cleaning Gloves and you can put a whole group of shuckers to work.