When taking food out of the oven why should you use oven gloves and not the tea towel?

I've done this before without thinking about it, so I know exactly why you shouldn't do it. The heat from the dish or pan will transfer through the cloth heating up the water and generating steam - which can lead to some very serious burns.

In addition, if the dish is glass or porcelain and in poor condition you also stand the risk of shattering the dish - particularly if the dowel is cold and wet.