Best Kitchen Tongs: Definitive Buying Guide with Comparison

You don’t have to be an expert in the kitchen to know the importance of kitchen tongs. I have yet to find a fully equipped kitchen without a solid pair. Let’s face it, tongs save us a lot of hassle when it comes to pan-fry, grilling, or searing food. As the tool is available in different models and designs, choosing the best kitchen tongs from a wide range of choices is not easy.

Kitchen tongs are no longer two heavy-duty rods of steel put together. The top kitchen tongs these days are the ones with heat-retaining systems along with ergonomic construction and food-friendly materials. We’ve rounded up the products we liked best to narrow down your search so you can make the ideal purchase for your kitchen. So let’s get started.

Best Kitchen Tong Reviews

OXO 28481 Stainless Steel Tongs

One of the best kitchen tongs models comes from a reliable New York-based brand, OXO. This brand was pioneered by a man who wanted to create comfortable kitchen tools for his wife suffering from arthritis. Let’s check out its features to see if it works for you.

Features

If you’ve worked with kitchen tongs made completely out of steel, you know that they’re a pain if handled for long periods of time. These kitchen tongs are specially designed to minimize fatigue and stress even after prolonged handling. The soft handle is complete with thumb rests and has an anti-slip design to give you full control of the tool.

Similarly, the stainless steel body is durable and strong. This means the tongs can withstand accidents and mishaps in the kitchen and last you a long time.

Moreover, they have some accessible features to make usage easy for you. Firstly, they’re dishwasher friendly, so you don’t have to go through the hassle of manually scrubbing them after each use. Secondly, you can lock the tongs closed when not in use. This way, they become compact and easy to store with your spoons and spatulas.

The Good

The best thing about the OXO kitchen tongs is accessibility. They are 12 inches long; just the right length for safe food handling. Also, they can be cleaned and stored easily to keep you from any extra hassle.

Besides that, they sport a corrugated tip. This means you get a nice firm and sturdy grip over your food whether you’re flipping steaks or lifting your veggies.

The Bad

The downside is, these tongs are designed to fit in a specific position. The tip closes at a certain angle, while the rest of the tongs have a gap between them. This way, the tongs work great if you’re handling a single large item like steaks or fried chicken pieces.

However, if you use them for lifting multiple items such as serving pasta or salad, you might have difficulty handling the food.

ALLWIN-HOUSEWARE Kitchen Tongs

This is another great model coming from a reputed brand. Established in 2017, ALLWIN-HOUSEWARE aims to incorporate style and utility in kitchen and houseware products.

Their equipment is practical and reliable, which makes their name trustworthy in the market. Here’s an overview of their kitchen tongs model.

Features

These tongs are perfect for barbequing, grilling, or frying your foods. They sport a unique silicone tip, which can resist heat up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. This means you can use them to handle extremely hot foods just like you would use tongs with a stainless steel tip.

Moreover, the silicone will not damage your non-stick cookware at all. So you can scrape and graze your pans all you like without leaving a scratch. Also, the material is FDA approved so it won’t release any toxins into your food.

Furthermore, they are constructed out of durable stainless steel, which makes them impact resistant. Also, the durable body means they will last you in the long term. Besides that, the lock feature enables hassle-free storage. They’re enhanced with the latest pull-ring technology as well.

All you have to do is pull on the ring provided to keep full control over your instrument while you’re at work. It makes sure the tongs don’t close or open on their own, to avoid accidents and mishaps.

The Good

What we like about this model is the silicone tip. It protects your cookware and is durable as we discussed before. Apart from that, it also promotes hygiene. The silicone tip resists odor and is easy to clean compared to steel tips. Also, it does not corrode in damp conditions, which keeps your food healthy and safe to eat.

The Bad

There is one thing we don’t like about the silicone tip. It can resist only a certain amount of heat. That’s okay for everyday cooking needs, but it might be hazardous if you expose it to high temperature or hot oil pans for long periods.

Besides that, the pull-ring lock is more trouble than it’s worth. It does help keep the tongs in one position, but if you are multitasking, switching from one task to another can be tedious if you have to lock and unlock it every time.

Hot Target Heavy Duty Kitchen Tongs

Hot Target is another reliable name when it comes to accessible and practical kitchenware. Mostly known for their silicone kitchen equipment, the brand has a wide range of kitchen tongs for you to choose from. This silicone and stainless steel model is our favorite. Check out the features for yourself.

Features

These tongs are designed to work for professional chefs and home cooks alike. They’re made out of durable, corrosion-resistant steel. The quality construction makes the product last long, without making it too heavy to handle.

Furthermore, the tip is 100% food-grade silicone. This material gives you a better and safer grip on your food. Also, it is corrosion-resistant, so it won’t leave marks on your cookware. Besides that, it is free from BPA and PVC, so you don’t have to worry about any harmful substances building up in your food.

Moreover, these tongs can be easily cleaned and stored. That’s because they are dishwasher friendly and have a ring lock system to close the tongs. Once closed, you can store them in limited spaces as well.

Apart from that, they are easy to handle. The soft, ergonomic handle provides a firm grip so you can flip large steaks and serve delicate foods like pasta. Also, you won’t feel any stress or fatigue even after prolonged handling.

The Good

These tongs are highly accessible. You can wash them easily, and the silicone tip does not retain any bad odor from the food. Additionally, the pull-lock system ensures you don’t face any accidents while working and get a sturdy grip on your food. Also, the instrument is lightweight so you can use it without any strain on your hands.

The Bad

On the downside, the silicone tip on these tongs has a low-temperature resistance. It can retain up to 480 degrees Fahrenheit of heat before beginning to disintegrate. That’s good enough for flipping steaks or pan searing vegetables. However, if you are using it for frying, long term exposure to hot oil can be harmful.

Hotec Stainless Steel Kitchen Tongs

Hotec strives to bring maximum utility to all its kitchenware. Needless to say, its kitchen tongs have the ideal features for every professional and home cook out there. Sturdy and accessible, let’s take a look at its stainless steel tongs to see what it’s worth.

Features

These stainless steel tongs from Hotec are the ideal equipment to have around your kitchen. They are constructed with strong, heavy-duty material, which is sturdy enough to last long, and lightweight enough to handle at the same time.

Similarly, steel provides a high level of heat resistance. Also, they are rust-proof and does not corrode easily, which means you can use them for all purposes and store them anywhere without any concern.

Besides that, the tongs are made with an efficient ergonomic design. This gives you a good grip over your food as you have full control over the handle. The handle has a soft silicone coating to provide comfort and stability while you’re at work, and also keeps you from burning your hands. Additionally, it includes a thumb rest, so you can flip and sear foods with precision.

Furthermore, they have some handy features as well. You can lock the tongs closed to use them in one particular position, or make them compact enough for storage. Also, they have a ring at the edge so you can hang them up for air drying with your spoons and spatulas.

The Good

What we like about these tongs is the fully durable stainless steel construction. Not only is it a safe option to handle your food, but it is also lightweight and accessible to use. The tongs won’t corrode easily or become rusty, so your tongs will be looking as good as new even after long term use. Also, they resist heat better than silicone tipped tongs so you can use them for all sorts of cooking procedures.

Besides that, the lock is easy to use. The push and pull mechanism makes it easy to operate while you’re working. The spring is sturdy, which means it won’t wear off and will stay tight and secure even after rigorous use.

The Bad

The stainless steel tip can damage non-stick cookware. You won’t be able to scrape your pan clean with this after lifting your steak or veggies. Besides that, the spring tension can be a little too hard to handle in the beginning.

StarPack Basics Silicone Kitchen Tongs

StarPack is an Australian home utensils brand, with sales across the US and Asia. The producers create innovative products to make life easier for consumers, and their kitchen tongs are no exception. They are easy to use, stylish, and practical. Let’s look at the details.

Features

These stainless steel tongs with a silicone tip give you the ideal grip for all your needs. The steel provides a durable body. They are lightweight and strong enough to last long without causing any fatigue. Similarly, the high-quality silicone tip is made out of FDA tested food-grade material.

Moreover, they can resist heat up to 480 degrees Fahrenheit, enough for everyday cooking needs. The tip won’t corrode, melt, or flake in your food, which makes it safe to handle your food. Also, you can be worry-free while using the tongs on your non-stick cookware as they won’t damage them at all.

Furthermore, these tongs are dishwasher friendly. The silicone does not retain any odor or grease, so it is easy to clean as well. The smooth locking system makes sure there are no mishaps while you cook, and give you full control over the tongs.

The Good

The tongs are constructed most efficiently. There are no corners or crevices where food or grease might get stuck. This ensures flawless hygiene and stops bacterial growth in your utensils as well. Also, there are no detachable parts, so you don’t have to worry about the tip falling off during rigorous use.

The Bad

These tongs are quite expensive. Despite the flawless construction and durable design, the tongs are a little too expensive compared to other products in their league. You can get the same features and accessibility in other brands for a lower price.

Buying Guide

Now that you’ve been through these reviews, you must be ready to pick out one for yourself. However, there is a chance you still don’t know the basics of buying the best kitchen tongs. Here’s what you should look for while buying them for your kitchen.

• Length

You’ll have to look for the length you are comfortable with. Most people have difficulty handling very long tongs, as they can get a little flimsy. However, they are great for handling heavy pieces of food. You can choose from 6, 9, or 12-inch tongs. Choose one which you can handle for your comfort.

• Tip Material

Should you go for a stainless steel or silicone tip? You will have to decide when considering a pair of tongs for yourself. This completely depends on your cooking needs. Steel tips are great for barbeque, frying, and flame grilling.

On the other hand, silicone tips are great for everyday cooking and serving. Also, they are safe to use on non-stick cookware. So you’ll need to keep in mind your kitchenware needs before choosing one.

• Handle Grip

The grip is an important aspect to consider. Check the handle design before making a purchase. It should be soft enough to provide comfort but should also have ergonomic features for perfect grip and control. A combination of both will give you flawless cooking experience.

FAQs

• What Is a Silicone Tip?

A silicone tip is similar to the rubbery material on the tip of your spatula or scraper. However, the material used for tongs is a little harder and more durable. You should be careful while purchasing silicone tip tongs. Always look for certified, high-quality companies that are reliable. Low-quality silicone can be hazardous for your health.

• Can I Use These Tongs With Charcoal And Hot Oil?

You can use your tongs for multiple purposes. This includes barbeque, grilling, pan-searing, and frying as well. Some tongs will not be able to resist high levels of heat; this means you should be careful while exposing them to hot oil or direct flame for long periods.

• What Should I Look For In The Ideal Kitchen Tongs Construction?

You should look for a seamless construction with minimal crevices and gaps in your kitchen tongs. That’s because these crevices can retain moisture and cause bacterial accumulation and mold build up in your utensils.

Conclusion

Wrapping this best kitchen tongs review up, now you know everything you need to purchase the perfect pair of kitchen tongs for yourself. While all the above-mentioned models are great choices, we’d like to name one that stands out amongst them.

Hotec Stainless Steel kitchen tongs are the best choice according to us. They have all the features you need, along with a reasonable price, making it an ideal combination. However, if there’s room in your budget, you should consider the StarPack tongs as well. We hope this review helps you make an informed decision for your purchase.