Choosing the Best Kitchen Tongs

The right tools can make a huge difference when cooking meals or serving food. Keep your hands safe and the food free of germs with a pair of kitchen tongs. These handy tools allow you to grip slippery or hot food items and quickly toss and serve salads. Whether you are prepping for a potluck or looking to keep your hands clean, tongs can be an asset in the kitchen. Here are some great kitchen tongs we recommend.

Purchasing Kitchen Tongs

Kitchen tongs have various uses around the kitchen, so consider these factors when selecting the perfect tool:

• Type: When purchasing kitchen tongs, ensure that the shape and style will provide you with the correct technique. Flat tongs are ideal for heavy foods like burgers and steaks as they provide a wide base for maximum support. Some will include textured edges for added grip. If you are planning on grilling with your tongs, opt for a design that features extra-long handles to keep your hands away from the heat.
• Material: Tongs with stainless steel or aluminum bases are long-lasting and easy to clean. However, the exposed metal can scratch pans when cooking, so silicone tips are a great addition to any tong design. Silicone handles high temperatures, provides extra grip, and is gentle on cookware.
• Features: A tong lock is great for both storing the tool in a packed kitchen drawer and for keeping it firmly in the pan or on the counter during use. If you are looking to cook or serve small foods that slip easily, consider tongs with a solid base and no openings for pieces of your meal to slide through.

Top Choice: OXO Good Grips 12-Inch Stainless Steel Locking Tongs

For everyday cooking, these easy-to-use kitchen tongs provide ample support for stirring, flipping, and serving. The base is made from brushed stainless steel, and the handles have added cushion and thumb rests for a comfortable grip. You can easily pull the lock to close the tongs for drawer storage or hang the tool from the large hanging loop. The flat scalloped ends of these tongs give you plenty of hold on any food. When your meal is complete, toss these kitchen tongs into the dishwasher for an easy clean.

Best for BBQ: GRILLHOGS Dropkick Your Old Tongs 9-Inch Barbecue Tongs

This pair of tongs has the handling power that lives up to its name. Grilling aficionados will want to throw out their old pair after experiencing this stainless steel and oak wood combination. The long handles keep your hands far away from the flames, while the wood additions provide protection from the heat that travels up the tool. The scalloped edges and wide base are ideal for gripping heavy pieces of meat with ease. And you can keep your tongs close with the handy lock and hook systems that can close the tongs for hanging near the grill.

Best with Silicone Tips: OXO Good Grips 12-Inch Tongs

If you need extra support while using kitchen tongs, these stainless steel and silicone tongs can provide that much-needed gripping power. The tongs are completely encased in silicone, allowing you to cook, mix, and lift food in pans that are up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit. For a comfortable hold, these tongs are designed with nonslip handles that support your thumbs while in use. The pull tab at the meeting point of the tongs closes and locks the kitchen tongs for easy storage.

Best Value Set: HOT TARGET Set of Kitchen Tongs

Use this handy tool for every dish with this set of three differently sized kitchen tongs. Ranging from 8.5 inches to 13 inches, these kitchen tongs are ideal for cooking multiple types of food at one time. The base of the tongs is made from 1-millimeter thick stainless steel that is corrosion-resistant, while the silicone tips are molded from 100% food-grade silicone that is BPA and PVC-free. These materials make the kitchen tongs safe for cooking and serving food for many meals to come. All three tongs are dishwasher safe and easy to store with the help of a pull ring locking mechanism.

Best for Salads: KEBE Buffet Tongs

Avoid the mess of tossing salad and serving food with the help of these serving tongs. These tongs are made to be seen with their stainless steel construction and mirror polishing that create a beautiful shine. The steel is nontoxic and heat-resistant to handle delicate and hot foods. The open handles allow you to precisely control the angle and pressure of the tongs when picking up food. One spoon provides a solid, flat surface to hold small food, while the spoon features holes to drain liquids. Whether you use these to gently toss a salad or serve slippery pasta, these tongs are ideal for showing off your cooking.