While getting the best grill tongs for your summer grilling sessions might seem like a straightforward endeavor, this couldn’t be farther from the truth. There are lots of models to choose from on the market today, which can make finding the one that works best for you and your grilling habits trickier than you might think.
When we were putting together our list, the first thing that we looked for were tongs that were comfortable to hold. After all, if you are going to be the grill master for a large gathering, you don’t want your hand to hurt. We also looked for BBQ tongs with secure handles since the last thing you want to worry about is dropping your tongs all the time. All of the models we found for our list are also built to last, making them a good value-based purchase. We found models that can be used for more than just flipping food as well. If you are looking for an even greater value, you might want to check into some of the models that can be used to clean a grill too. Some models on our list also boast of locking mechanisms, which are another important feature since they will make the tongs much simpler to store away when they are not in use.
More features: weigh 2 pounds
These tongs are crafted from highly durable and long-lasting 304 stainless steel. They have a standard tong design that includes a locking mechanism in the handle. These tongs are a good length, measuring 16 inches overall. Thanks to their durable build and heavy-duty handle, they weigh in at about 2 pounds.
What we liked: If you are in the market for the best overall grill tongs, then these would be a good model to check out. For starters, they are made with 304 stainless steel. This metal is well known for its anti-corrosion properties and durability. Needless to say, if you get these tongs, you shouldn’t have to get a new pair any time soon.
The handle for this model is also quite durable. It is built extra thick, which makes it easier to keep ahold of. The overall length of this model is about 16 inches, which is more than long enough for even the biggest grills. The handle is also lockable for easy storage.
What could be better: There is a lot to like about these tongs. However, the biggest issue that we found with them is that the handle isn’t very comfortable to hold for long periods of time. Now, this shouldn’t be the biggest deal in the world if you are someone that sets your tools down while you are cooking. It could, however, be a bit bothersome if you are cooking a lot of food at once, so bear that in mind before you make your final decision.
More features: handles lock; wide, 5-inch head
These tongs are nice and long, as they measure about 17 inches in total. The handle is quite comfortable and is covered with a non-slip and soft to the touch coating. The handle also features a locking mechanism, which makes storage much easier. The majority of these tongs are made with stainless steel, and the heads are 5 inches long.
What we liked: When it comes to grilling, there is no bigger name than Weber. As such, it is no surprise that they have made such a high-quality pair of tongs. These tongs are lightweight because they only have a thin skeleton that forms the frame. Thanks to the high quality of stainless steel, this thinner design does not hurt their durability. They also have a very long reach and large head, making them great for picking up larger pieces of food.
The grip for these tongs is also quite nice. It is soft to the touch, which makes it very comfortable to hold for extended periods of grilling. It is also anti-slip, which makes it very easy to hold onto while you are cooking.
What could be better: These are a great value-based grilling purchase. They are really well designed overall, though there is one issue that we found. The locking mechanism for the handle is not very durable. Even though the tongs themselves should last for a good long time, this mechanism might break down on you relatively quickly. It is not very thick, which lends itself to failure.
More features: equipped with a bottle opener; patented locking mechanism
This pair of tongs are built to be compact. They only measure 10.4 inches in length, which makes them a good choice for smaller grills. The handle is covered in a soft-grip material and also features a locking mechanism and bottle opener. These tongs are made with 0.07 gauge steel, making them quite durable.
What we liked: These are a premium set of grill tongs. What makes these such an upgrade over their competitions is the 0.07 gauge steel that they are made of. This makes them exceptionally durable, which is always a big plus. Not only that, but they also have a locking mechanism and bottle opener built into the handle. The grip is also quite comfortable, making it easy to use these tongs for an extended grilling session.
These tongs are also quite compact. This makes them an excellent option for someone that has a limited amount of space to maneuver in their grilling space. These grill tongs are also perfectly sized for a smaller grill that doesn’t require a gargantuan reach.
What could be better: While these are really good grill tongs, they are on the smaller side. While this won’t be too big of an issue for someone that has a smaller grill, it could be problematic for anyone with a larger setup. They might make it a bit more difficult to reach any food that is farther back on a grill since they would put your hands a bit closer to the hot grates.
More features: dishwasher safe; notched tip; deep jaws
This pair of scissor-style tongs are exceptionally long. They are 17.5 inches in total, making them ideal for larger grills. This model is crafted with 304 stainless steel, which makes them very durable. The notched tip and deep jaws work well for picking up different types of food from the grill, and they are dishwasher safe.
What we liked: The first thing that you will notice with these tongs is just how long they are. They are 17.5 inches in length, which makes them the longest on our list. These tongs would be perfect for use on a large grill due to their length. The scissor-style design also makes it much easier to use the entire length of the tongs since you can hold them near the back and still utilize them correctly.
The head is also really well designed for these tongs. The head is quite long and has notched tips for easy gripping. The deeper jaws make it easy to pick up even larger pieces of food while you are grilling. These tongs are also very easy to clean since they are completely dishwasher safe.
What could be better: These tongs are really large. They are the perfect tool for anyone that is grilling on a medium to large grill. They might, however, be a bit too much for anyone that is only using a smaller cooking surface. This will especially be true if you have a limited amount of space in your backyard or patio as well since the longer length might make it cumbersome to maneuver.
More features: doubles as a cleaning tool; made in the USA
These tongs are made in the USA out of durable stainless steel. They are quite heavy and durable, thanks to their thicker than average head and handle. They are 16 inches in length overall, with about 1/3 of that length being dedicated to the head. These tongs can also double as a cleaning tool to scrape debris from a grill.
What we liked: If you are looking for a pair of tongs that are perfect for grilling fish, then these are a good bet. Their larger than average head makes them perfect for slipping underneath a fish without tearing or shredding it. This will allow you to more thoroughly grill the fish to perfection.
These tongs are also quite durable. They are made to be extra thick and are manufactured in the USA. Not only do these tongs make a wonderful flipping tool for your grill, but they can also double as a cleaner as well. If they are positioned correctly, these tongs can be used to scrape the grates. Their long reach makes them an excellent option for larger grills as well.
What could be better: These tongs are quite durable. They are made to last, featuring thick metal and heavy-duty handles. The downside of this design, however, is that these tongs are quite heavy. While this shouldn’t be a terrible problem, as long as you can set them down while you are cooking, they could become too heavy after a long grilling session.
In this section, we will guide you through everything that you need to know to find the best grill tongs for your needs. We have also taken the time to answer several frequently asked questions as well, so be sure to check those out, too, if you need any more information.
Though most grill tongs share very similar design concepts, there are still lots of different features that you need to take into account when you are making your selection. In this section, we will give you everything that you need to know to make sure that you get yourself the perfect set of tongs for your grilling style.
When it comes to finding the right grill tongs for your backyard, the most common material that you are going to come across is stainless steel. There are, however, different types of steel that will last longer or offer more corrosion resistance. The best stainless steel for grill tongs is 304 stainless steel. Since this metal has higher chromium and nickel than other steels, it is extremely corrosion-resistant, as well as being highly durable.
While any steel will work well, if you are looking for a great pair of tongs that utilize 304 stainless steel, then you will want to check out the DCS Stainless Steel Grill Tongs or the Shark BBQ Grill Tongs. Both of these models are made from this type of metal, which will help them to last a whole lot longer than their competitors.
Something else that you will need to take into account is how long of a pair of tongs you need for your grilling setup. Longer tongs might be hugely beneficial if you have a larger grill, but they could be a real hassle with a smaller one. The same could be said for shorter tongs on a larger grill as well, so make sure to think about how large of a grill you have.
It might actually be a good idea to measure your grilling space so that you can get a more accurate idea of how long of a reach you need from your tongs.
If you are looking for a longer pair of tongs, then the Weber 6610 Original Tongs are a good bet. This model is 17 inches in length, which should make it more than long enough for even the largest of grills. On the other hand, if you are looking for a shorter pair of tongs, the Everdure By Heston Steel Tongs area good choice. These tongs are only 10.4 inches in length, making them ideal for smaller setups.
Once you have decided upon the length of your new tongs, the next thing to consider is what type of handle you desire. There are several different options on the market today, so you will have plenty to choose from. Handles can be broken into several different basic groups, however, which include wooden, soft, or scissor-style models. Each of these will offer different grips and levels of durability, as well as ease of use. It really comes down to what your personal preference is since each handle type will allow you to easily use the tongs on your grill.
If you are looking for the easiest tongs to operate, then you will want to go with something like the Shark BBQ Grill Tongs, which operate very much like a pair of scissors. This makes them a good option for anyone that has difficulty gripping. The GrillGrate Stainless Steel GrateTongs is highly durable thanks to their wooden handle. Of course, if you are looking for a softer grip on your new tongs, the Everdure By Heston Steel Tongs might be your best bet.
Another important consideration for any new piece of grilling equipment is its weight. The last thing that you want to do is buy something that is going to get too heavy in your hand when you are using it. This is especially true if you have a larger grill and need to reach further back to turn your food. If your tongs are too heavy, this could make them too cumbersome to work effectively, which could result in burnt food. Of course, any tongs that are built to be heavier are also built to be more durable as well, which makes them an attractive option as well.
Of all the different models we looked into, the Weber 6610 Original Tongs are the lightest. They are also relatively long, which makes them an excellent option for use on larger grills. They are also, thankfully, relatively durable as well, even though they are so light. If you are in the market for a heavier-duty and more durable set of tongs, then the Shark BBQ Grill Tongs are a pair that you might want to look into.
When it comes to choosing the correct size of the head on your grill tongs, you need to think about the types of food that you intend to grill. If you are someone that likes to grill lots of different types of meat, then you will want to go with a medium-sized head with slight protrusions. If you like smaller foods like chicken strips, you should probably go for a smaller head with larger protrusions. If you are cooking large items like ribs or fish, a larger head with slight protrusions will suit your needs best.
If you are looking for a pair of tongs for delicate work, then the DCS Stainless Steel Grill Tongs are excellent options thanks to their smaller sized head. If you are trying to cook fish and keep them intact, however, something like the GrillGrate Stainless Steel GrateTongs would work well thanks to their larger than average, spatula style head.
When you are cleaning your BBQ tongs, you should follow the same types of procedures that you use for any other utensil. Since these tongs are made with stainless steel, they are unlikely to rust or show signs of corrosion, so you can fully soak them in your sink. You should, however, avoid using your dishwasher to clean them since this can have a very negative effect on the handle. To clean your BBQ tongs, follow these steps:
If you are looking for the best overall grill tongs, then we highly recommend the DCS Stainless Steel Grill Tongs. These tongs have a long reach and a durable design. They also feature a long head and a lockable handle for easy storage. We highly recommend that you check these tongs out!
The Weber 6610 Original tongs are a great option for anyone looking for great value. They have a long reach, are comfortable to hold, and are extremely lightweight. These tongs are also quite durable and very easy to keep clean.
If you are someone that is looking for a compact pair of tongs to use in your backyard on a smaller style grill, then the best grill tongs are going to be the Everdure By Heston Steel Tongs. These tongs are shorter than average, which makes them perfect for smaller grilling surfaces. They are also highly durable and feature a locking handle that is also equipped with a bottle opener.
