We explain how quantum affine algebras can be used to systematically construct “exotic” t-structures. One of the application is to obtain exotic t-structures on certain convolution varieties defined using affine Grassmannians (these varieties play an important role in the geometric Langlands program, knot homology constructions, the coherent Satake category etc.) As a special case we also recover the exotic t-structures of Bezrukavnikov–Mirkovic on Springer resolutions in type A. This is joint work with Clemens Koppensteiner.