Like any other type of cooking, grilling should be a pleasant experience that brings you joy and leaves your taste buds satisfied. However, those of us who grill regularly know how frustrating a low quality pair of tongs can be and if you don’t, consider yourself lucky.
The best grill tongs can mean the difference between your meal ending up on the plate or one the floor. You’ll feel as if you got some kind of magical arm extensions. These grill tools make your life easier, and they can also help you enhance your cooking skills.
As dedicated grill enthusiasts, we can’t let you ruin your outdoor barbecue by using the wrong BBQ tongs. That’s why we created a handy guide to help you find a perfect pair of grill tongs for your next grilling endeavor.
The Best Grill & BBQ Tongs
- Grille Perfect Extra Long Stainless Steel Tongs – Top Choice
- Joinkitch Easy-Flip Grill Tongs Set – Best Value
- GrillPro 2 in 1 Grill Tong – Best 2 in 1 Pick
- Allwin-Houseware Non-Stick Barbecue Tongs – Best Non-Stick Option
- Outset QB 22” Rosewood Grill Tongs – Premium Pick
- Clairla BBQ Grill Tong – Best Basic Grill Tong
- BBQCroc 3 in 1 Grill Tool 18-inch – Best 3 in 1 Tong
- BBQCroc 3 in 1 Barbecue Tool 26-inch – Longest Grill Tong
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Key Features And Specifications
- Size: 16” long
- Material: stainless steel + anti-slip handles
- Tong style: push/pull locking ring + dual tooth and scalloped head
- Durable and easy-to-use
These Grille Perfect tongs are a grill master fan favorite because of their tong style. The tongs feature the push/pull locking ring, but have a really unique head. One edge of the tongs has the traditional scalloped edge, the other edge features teeth for an extra effective grip.
This unique grip is referred to as the Dual-Tooth design with a meat grabbing edge that allows you to handle the larger cuts of briskets and pork shoulders that cheaper tongs simply can’t handle. Plus, the soft-scallop edge is delicate enough to move bread, shrimp, or vegetables without ripping or smashing, giving you new confidence in the kitchen or on the barbeque.
Fans also say the comfy grip and tough steel makes these long 16-inch grill tongs feel like an extension of their arm, with plenty of control to open foil-wrapped foods or handle a full rack of baby back ribs, all while keeping hands away from the heat.
Unlike cheap silicone and nylon tongs that warp or melt over flaming grills (and in dishwashers), these stainless steel tongs are crafted from heavy-duty 1mm thick metal that’s dishwasher safe and stands up to any temperature (and won’t bend like cheap chrome cooking tongs). In fact, many say their Grill Perfect barbeque utensils have lasted over 10 years without signs of wear, tear, warping or bending.
These grill tongs come with a reliable push/pull locking ring that works with a press of the thumb, and it doubles as a hanging ring so you can keep your tongs ready when not in use.
The only potential downside to these tongs is the price. They’re one of the more expensive options on the list. However, this is definitely a situation where you get what you pay for and you’re paying for high-quality and reliable tongs.
Pros
- 16-inches long
- Dual teeth/scalloped head
- Anti-slip grip handle
- Stainless steel
Cons
- On the pricey side
Key Features And Specifications
- Size: 12’’ and 9’’ long
- Material: stainless steel + TPR handles
- Tong style: traditional locking mechanism + scalloped edges
- Dishwasher safe
The first most noticeable thing about this pair of grill tools is a spatula on one side of a 9” tong. It makes grilling so much more convenient. Moreover, they are made of 304 (18/8) stainless steel, a food grade stainless steel, and can withstand a high temperature. Plus, they offer a heat resistant TPR handle that provides a firm, comfortable grip.
These tongs are essentially affordable because this is a set of two tongs. On pair is 9-inches and the other is 12-inches. When it comes to convenience, Joinkitch kitchen tongs have cushions, non-slip handles, and thumb-rests for impeccable flipping.
Plus, you can easily store or hang them anywhere in your kitchen. Unlike plastic tongs, these stainless steel tongs won’t melt in a dishwasher and will withstand the heat perfectly.
On the final note, it’s another great and inexpensive set of barbecue tongs that are rust proof because of the quality materials they are made from.
Pros
- Comes in two different sizes and a spatula on one side
- Made of quality food grade stainless steel
- Cushioned, non-slip handles and thumb rests
- Hassle-free flipping
Cons
- Sometimes it might be a bit challenging to lock and unlock them
Key Features And Specifications
- Size: 17’’ long
- Material: chrome plated + PVC grip handles
- Tong style: scissor-like + tong/spatula/turner
- Manufactured in Canada
If you’ve been searching for a quality tong, this Canadian manufacturer offers some well-rated grill tools loved by many customers. GrillPro’s 2 in 1 barbecue tong is all you’ve been looking for and maybe even more.
With this grill tong’s fine grip handle, you’ll be able to prepare your signature steak, cheeseburger, or chicken without any “oops-it-wasn’t-me” accidents. You can also use this BBQ tong as a spatula whenever you need it, which is pretty neat if you ask us.
GrillPro 2 in 1 barbecue tong is a multifunctional tool that will find a place in the kitchen arsenal of every grill lover. It’s well-priced, durable, and convenient. However, the only downside of these tongs are the fact that they’re not for your heavier jobs, you won’t be flipping pork shoulders with these bad boys.
Read more: Best grill spatula
Pros
- Lock/unlock feature
- Multifunctional: includes a spatula
- Easy to clean
- Extra-comfortable grip
Cons
- The grips might start to pop up with time
Key Features And Specifications
- Size: 12” and 9” long
- Material: Premium 304 stainless steel + silicone handles
- Ting style: traditional pull-ring mechanism
- Non-stick, corrosion- and odor-resistant
If you are looking for a pair of grill tongs that would help you turn large cuts of meat easier than ever, then you should find Allwin-Houseware tongs very handy wherever you decide to get the barbecue going.
One of the best features of these grill tools is non-slip, non-stick, corrosion- and odor-resistant surface design. If you take your barbecue seriously, you’ll definitely appreciate it. Or at least it’ll save you a lot of time for sure.
This particular pair of Allwin-Houseware comes with a set of 9-inch tongs and 12-inch tongs. However, you can opt for a set with 12-inch tongs and 14-inch tongs, if you prefer longer tongs. Furthermore, if you like extra long tongs there’s even a pair that comes with a set of 14-inch tongs and 16-inch tongs.
With a sweet lifetime warranty, Allwin-Houseware grill tongs will surprise you with an affordable price and convenient ergonomic design.
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Pros
- Lifetime warranty
- The metal part can resist temperatures up to 1500F
- Two different sizes
- Ergonomic grip
Cons
- It might take some time to master the pull-ring mechanism of these tongs if you’re not used to it
Key Features And Specifications
- Size: 22” long
- Material: Stainless steel + rosewood handles
- Tong style: Traditional with a scalloped head
- Extra-long size to protect your hands from a hot surface
These extra-long grill tongs won’t leave you disappointed. Coming in at 22 inches, they will assure your hands are protected from burns, and you have a pleasant experience grilling your favorite food. These would be especially beneficial for those who have an extra large backyard barbeque.
Rosewood handles are another great addition to this aesthetic kitchen tool. Not only does the rosewood make it look nicer, but it also gives you a comfortable and sturdy grip. Plus, a scalloped head makes it easy to turn even large pieces of meat.
Outset 22” Rosewood BBQ tongs have an attractive price and design. If you care about the convenience and aesthetics, this grill tool would be perfect for you.
Pros
- Convenient locking mechanism
- Sturdy and durable stainless steel construction
- Rosewood handles that conduct heat slower than other materials and better prevent burns.
- Easy cleaning and storing
Cons
- The wooden handle might feel too thin for some
Key Features ANd Specifications
- Size: 9.5” long
- Material: Brushed stainless steel
- Tong style: Traditional control head shaped like crocodile’s teeth
- Premium heavy-duty construction
Don’t worry about food slipping out of this beast. Clairla grill tongs feature a crocodile teeth shaped head that will hold basically anything you use for your barbecue. The Clairla kitchen tongs are constructed from top quality brushed stainless steel that’s 1mm thick. The construction creates unbeatable strength and premium quality, while remaining lightweight and easy to handle.
The gently raised edges provide the perfect grip, ensuring that food arrives on your plate, not the table. You’ll be able to do all the lifting and flipping on the grill with ease and safety with these heavy duty steel tongs. Plus, these premium kitchen tongs have a large hanging loop on the end for easy storage.
Furthermore, you can be sure that the food won’t get stuck in this grill tong, making it hygienic and easy to clean. They are even dishwasher safe. If you’re in search of extra-durable barbecue tongs and prefer not to have cushioned handles, this product can become one of your favorite purchases.
Pros
- Lifetime warranty
- Think 1-mm stainless steel
- Easy to clean and hang
- Perfect grip for hassle-free flipping
Cons
- Handles aren’t cushioned
Key Features ANd Specifications
- Size: 18” long
- Material: Premium food-grade aluminum alloy
- Tong type: Scissor mechanism
- All-in-one: tong, spatula, grill scraper, and a bottle opener
Are you looking for something more than just a simple set of grilling tongs? Well, then the BBQCroc grill tool should be the first one on your list. You can use it as a spatula, tong, grill scraper, and even a bottle opener. This is all you need for a perfect outdoor barbecue.
However, we haven’t even mentioned the best part, this set of grilling tongs comes with an attachable flashlight! Plus, this multifunctional kitchen tool has a scissor mechanism and ergonomic handles that make grilling a much smoother process.
Let’s talk specifics, this 3-in-1grill tool grabs more precisely than a regular set of tongs, flips more efficiently than a spatula and even scrapes your grill clean! The two spatulas were designed to be of identical size, 1.75-inches (4.5 cm) wide to grab anything with precision and ease. The beveled edges of the spatulas slide easily under stuck-on food.
The dual spatula locking system locks on food when flipping on the grill, ensuring complete gripping control and more precision than any other barbeque tool. You can even clean your grill using the cleaning grooves and eliminate the need to clean your grill using wire brushes which can be dangerous. The two groove on the BBQ Croc’s upper spatula fit 90% of grills and effectively scrape the food residues of the grill bars.
This versatile BBQ tool can be the only thing you’ll ever use when grilling. It’s a perfect choice for grill enthusiasts who prefer quality and convenience at an affordable price and optimal length.
Pros
- Ergonomic non-slip texturized handles
- Optional clip-on flashlight
- Dual spatula locking system
- Multifunctional and versatile
Cons
- Only heat-resistant up to 350 F
Key Features ANd Specifications
- Size: 26” long
- Material: Premium food-grade aluminum alloy
- Tong type: Double scissor mechanism
- 3-in-1: tong, spatula, and grill scraper
This longest multipurpose kitchen tool will definitely make sure your hands are nowhere close to any burning hot surfaces. Like its multipurpose 18-inch “sibling”, it has a convenient 3-in-1 combination of a spatula, tong, and a grill scraper.
You will also find non-slip handles and ergonomic handles quite useful when spending hours next to a grill. This BBQ tong features a double-scissor mechanism, is easy to use, store, and wash.
The BBQCroc 26-inch kitchen tool is excellent for various grill purposes. It’d better suit someone who’s really in the market for a long tong for some specific grilling movements. Otherwise, it can be challenging to handle big steaks or ribs with it.
Pros
- Dual spatula locking system
- Rustproof and dishwasher safe
- Ergonomic non-slip texturized handles
Cons
- The grip might be too weak to turn bigger food items
THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A GRILL TONG
Before you decide which set of grill tongs to purchase, there are some things to consider. If you’ve read over the products on our list, you can probably tell there are quite a few differences from product to product. There are some traditional tongs in varying lengths, but there are others that have spatula heads or gator teeth or even come with a flashlight on the handle. Beyond the bells and whistles, these are some important factors to consider:
Size:
Before you consider anything else, you need to think about the length of the tongs you need for your grill. This is going to be dictated by the size of the chef and the size of the grill. Typically, the most used length of tongs range from 12-inches to 24-inches. However, there are certainly longer and shorter lengths available.
In general, 16-inches is usually the best average grill tool length for the average sized chef and grill. It’s enough length to keep your hands away from the flame, but not so long that they’re cumbersome.
Conversely, this isn’t a universal rule for everyone. If you are a short chef and/or have a very long grill, look at tongs longer than 16-inches. You definitely don’t need to go for the absolute longest you can find because they’ll likely be very challenging to control and maneuver. However, consider going at least 18-inches in length.
On the other hand, if you’re quite tall and are just using a small grill at the park, 9 to 12-inch tongs could be perfectly suitable. Just consider whether your hands will be comfortably away from the heat source.
For versatility sake, a pair of tongs might be something to consider. Pairs of tongs typically come with sets of tongs that are different lengths, though some pairs have tongs of different styles. However, a pair of tongs in different lengths could be a great investment. You’ll have a long pair for your meat grilling needs and a shorter pair for side dishes or to even use as salad tongs.
Materials and Construction:
After you consider what length is ideal for your needs, you need to start considering the materials and construction of your tongs. Grabbing cheap-y aluminium tongs from the dollar store is a sure fire way to end up disappointed. They’ll bend under the way of heavy cuts of meat, rust or even dangerously transfer heat to your hands.
The type of material and how your tongs are constructed will dictate their durability and reliability. We will say, sometimes this means you’ll need to pay a little extra. Keep in mind, it’ll save you money to buy a good pair of tongs once rather than having to replace a cheap pair of tongs several times.
Generally, opting for tongs made out of a heavy-duty, heat-resistant stainless steel is your best bet. Plus, a good quality stainless steel is rust-resistant which will extend the life of your tongs.
Now, aside from the body material, there’s the handle material to consider. The handle material for tongs can vary. There are silicone handles, rubber handles, metal handles and even wood handles.
Silicone and rubber will be the most comfortable usually. However, low quality silicone and rubber can absorb heat, just something to keep in mind.
Metal handles are generally a bad idea, overall. They can be tough to hold onto if your hands are greasy. They can be tough to hold onto because they get hot. The only upside is metal is usually quite durable.
Somewhere between the two are wooden handles. They might be a little less comfy than a cushy silicone grip. However, wood provides a much better grip than plain metal and stays cool to the touch, typically. Yet, there is a downside. Wood can take some wear and tear quite quickly, if not properly maintained.
Next, let’s talk construction when it comes to the locking and/or tension mechanisms. A general rule of thumb is that a set of tongs should have a locking mechanism. This makes them much more easy to cook with, especially when trying to maneuver heavy cuts of meat. Plus, the compact storage is convenient.
If you’re opting for a pair of manual tongs, make sure your grip strength is on point. These types of tops can be very taxing on your grip.
Special Features:
Now for the fun part… We’ve talked length, we’ve talked about materials and construction and we’ve talked about why locking mechanisms can be very important. However, now it’s time to talk about special features.
The head shape is going to be your first special feature. Tongs with scalloped edged heads are certainly traditional and reliable. Conversely, seeking tongs with toothed edges on their head can provide an even stronger grip.
There are also options available with spatula heads and even grill scrapers. These little extras mean that your one tool can be multifunctional. This adds convenience, and can help save money and space because you only need the one tool instead of several.
Furthermore, there’s even an option on this list that comes with a detachable flashlight. This can be hugely convenient for grilling at nice. Moreover, it’s just downright cool. While it’s not totally necessary, it’s something to think about. If you’re already investing money in this grill tool, might as well go for something a little “extra”.
In Conclusion:
Grill tongs are yet another necessary grill tool. This means they’re pretty non-negotiable, so start shopping if you don’t own a great pair, and your tongs really should be a great pair.
You don’t want any of that cheap material or construction when it comes to your tongs. This can lead to injury or lost food. Typically, a sure fire way to make sure your tongs are quality is to look for a set that’s made out of durable stainless steel.
Next, consider your grip. It needs to protect your hands from the heat. Plus, it should be at least a little comfy, while helping you maintain a strong non-slip grip. Furthermore, make sure your set of tongs is a length that makes sense for you. If your tongs are too long, they’ll be quite cumbersome.
Finally, once you’ve considered these basics, consider if you want some special features. A traditional and durable set of scalloped edged tongs can serve you faithfully for many years, so there’s nothing wrong with only going for the basics. However, like we said before, if you’re already investing money in this grill tool, you might as well go for something with a little “extra!”
WHY TRUST GRILL COOK BAKE?
Grill Cook Bake was created by amateur chefs and food lovers to help people cook better. Whether you’re new to cooking or a seasoned chef, having the right tools, equipment, and gear can be the difference between a good meal or a bad meal.
Our goal at Grill Cook Bake is to provide you with comprehensive and unbiased reviews and information so that you can make informed buying decisions. Our team has decades of combined experience in the cooking field. This knowledge includes a deep understanding of both brands and individual products.
This article was updated by Jacki Chaplain, a freelance writer and product reviewer for Grill Cook Bake. Jacki Chaplain is a seasoned food writer and blogger. She received masterful culinary training under an esteemed Johnson and Wales graduate. Today, she’s combined her divine love of all things food and artful way with words into a full-time career as a freelance writer for various foodie websites.
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