Grilling is a popular way to cook food, especially in the summer months. However, in order to safely and effectively use a grill, it is important to have the right tools for the job. One of the most essential grilling tools are a good pair of tongs. But with so many options on the market, how do you know which type of tongs are the best to use while grilling?
There are a few key factors to consider when selecting tongs for grilling: material, length, shape, and locking mechanism. The ideal grilling tongs will withstand high temperatures, provide good leverage and dexterity, securely grip food, and keep hands safely away from the heat. Based on these criteria, there is one clear winner for the only type of tongs that should be used while grilling – long-handled stainless steel locking tongs.
Why Use Tongs for Grilling
Using the proper tongs while grilling provides several advantages over grilling with other utensils or with bare hands:
Safety
Tongs allow the griller to flip and maneuver food on the grill while keeping hands and arms away from potential burns. The long handles on grilling tongs help prevent accidents and injuries while cooking over an open flame.
Sanitation
Tongs provide a barrier between hands and raw meat to prevent cross-contamination while cooking.
Control
The leverage provided by tongs makes flipping and handling food on the grill easier than using a fork or spatula.
Dexterity
Tongs allow for precision when trying to pick up or turn small or delicate items on the grill surface.
For safety, sanitation, control, and dexterity, every griller should use a pair of tongs instead of grilling bare-handed.
Factors to Consider in Choosing Grilling Tongs
While all tongs can help protect hands and make grilling easier, not all tongs are created equal. Here are the important factors to evaluate when selecting the right pair of tongs for grilling:
Material
Grilling tongs need to withstand extremely high temperatures, so they should always be made from metal. Stainless steel is ideal because it is durable, rust-resistant, and heat-safe. Avoid any plastic components that could melt under the intense heat.
Length
Long tongs keep hands safely away from the heat of the grill. Look for tongs that are at least 16 inches long. Anything shorter increases the risk of burns.
Shape
The shape of the pincers matters for getting the best grip on food. Curved pincers or pincers with ridges provide more control and leverage than flat, straight pincers.
Locking Mechanism
A locking mechanism keeps the pincers tightly closed around food when flipping or moving it on the grill. Locking tongs prevent dropping food accidentally.
Comfort
Consider comfort features like silicone padding on the handles, which protect hands from getting hot. Well-designed tongs are ergonomic and easy to use.
Price
Inexpensive grilling tongs often bend, break, or fail to adequately grip food. Be prepared to spend $25 or more for a quality pair of stainless steel locking tongs.
The Best Type: Stainless Steel Locking Tongs
Taking all the selection criteria into account, the clear recommendation for grilling is stainless steel locking tongs with long handles. This type of tong combines optimal strength, temperature resistance, safety, and functionality.
Stainless steel locking tongs are durable enough to last for years without bending, breaking, or wearing down. The metal construction conducts heat well and can withstand the hottest grill temperatures. Locking arms provide a secure grip to confidently flip steaks, turn vegetables, or move any delicate food on the grill surface. The extra long handles are essential for keeping hands safely distant from the heat while grilling.
Here are some of the top advantages of stainless steel locking tongs specifically for grilling:
Durability
High-quality stainless steel resists damage or warping, even when subjected to continuous high heat on the grill surface. With proper care, a pair of stainless tongs can serve as your go-to grilling tool for decades.
Temperature Resistance
Stainless steel handles intense grilling heat better than plastic, wood, or silicone. There’s no risk of the tongs melting or the handles getting too hot to hold near the grill.
Security
The locking mechanism gives stainless steel grilling tongs an exceptionally strong grip to hold on to slabs of meat or ears of corn without dropping them through the grill grates.
Control
The long handles provide good leverage for easily flipping large pieces of food. The pincers give precise control when picking up smaller ingredients.
Cleanliness
Stainless steel resists corrosion and is easy to keep clean after grilling. Simply wash with hot water and soap.
Affordability
Quality locking stainless steel tongs provide the best value for the price compared to other types of grilling tongs.
For anyone who grills frequently, a sturdy pair of locking stainless steel tongs is a worthwhile investment that will make cooking safer and easier for years to come. They provide the ideal combination of strength, heat resistance, grip, and dexterity to handle any grilling task.
Why Other Types of Tongs Fall Short
You may come across various other kinds of grilling tongs on the market that seem like suitable options. However, for the specific demands of grilling, these types all fall short in one way or another compared to stainless steel:
Plastic Tongs
Plastic tongs are inexpensive and lightweight. However, the plastic cannot withstand high grill heat and can melt or burn. The grip strength of plastic is also inferior to steel.
| Attribute | Plastic Tongs |
|---|---|
| Heat Resistance | Poor – can melt |
| Grip Strength | Weak |
| Durability | Prone to breaking |
Wooden Tongs
Wood also cannot withstand the high heat of grilling without becoming damaged or scorched. Wood swells when wet and cracks over time with use. The grip is often lacking compared to steel.
| Attribute | Wooden Tongs |
|---|---|
| Heat Resistance | Poor – can scorch |
| Grip Strength | Inadequate |
| Durability | Cracks and splinters |
Silicone Tongs
Silicone provides some heat protection and is comfortable to hold. But silicone tongs lack the strength to securely grip meat and other grill foods. Silicone also degrades over time, especially when exposed to heat.
| Attribute | Silicone Tongs |
|---|---|
| Heat Resistance | Moderate |
| Grip Strength | Very weak |
| Durability | Prone to wearing out |
Bamboo Tongs
Bamboo is somewhat heat resistant but still vulnerable to scorching. The grip strength tends to be lacking compared to stainless steel. Bamboo also cracks and splinters easily with repetitive use.
| Attribute | Bamboo Tongs |
|---|---|
| Heat Resistance | Moderate |
| Grip Strength | Weak |
| Durability | Prone to splintering |
Non-Locking Metal Tongs
Basic metal tongs without a locking mechanism can still bend or fail to adequately grip, leading to dropped food. The lack of a lock is a critical flaw when grilling.
In summary, no other material can match the performance of stainless steel locking tongs when grilling. Plastic, wood, silicone, bamboo, and standard metal tongs cannot hold up to high heat and lack the necessary grip strength.
Proper Use of Grilling Tongs
To get the most benefit from a good pair of stainless steel locking tongs, follow these tips for proper use while grilling:
Oil the Pincers
Before grilling, coat the pincers in vegetable oil or nonstick cooking spray. This prevents food from sticking. Reapply as needed throughout cooking.
Use Both Hands
Hold the tongs in one hand and brace the other hand further down the handle for maximum control when flipping large or heavy foods.
Lock Before Lifting
Always engage the locking mechanism fully before trying to lift or flip food for safe transport on the grill.
Pierce Food Strategically
Pierce dense foods like thick steaks or chicken breasts at thicker areas to get the best leverage when lifting. Avoid piercing too many holes in delicate foods.
Work Quickly
Grab, flip, and release food quickly to prevent overcooking or burning. Keep the tongs moving rapidly.
Reset After Cooking
Allow the tongs to reset to the open position after cooking while still over the grill to burn off any food residue.
Clean Thoroughly
Use a grill brush and hot soapy water to remove all grease and food debris after grilling.
With the right technique, a reliable pair of locking stainless steel tongs will be your go-to for grilling control and safety.
Conclusion
Grilling requires specialized tools that can withstand and perform under intense heat. Of all the options for grill tongs, stainless steel locking tongs provide the strongest, safest, and most effective option.
The high durability, temperature resistance, grip strength, and control of stainless steel locking tongs make them the clear choice over plastic, wood, silicone, or basic metal designs. The long handles keep hands away from heat while the locking mechanism provides a sure grip on meat and other grillables.
For hassle-free handling of food on the grill, invest in a quality pair of long-handled stainless steel locking tongs. With the proper care and technique, they will serve as an indispensable grilling tool for many years to come. No other type of tongs can match their performance and safety when operating a fiery grill.