Best BBQ Grill Tongs

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Well BBQ grill tongs isn’t rocket science, but you want to purchase something that is built well, is strong, grips and provides enough length that you do not burn your hand when working the grill. We feel that the OXO Grill Tongs and Weber Original Grill tongs are the top picks in this category. Why?…

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Best BBQ Grill Tongs

Well BBQ grill tongs isn’t rocket science, but you want to purchase something that is built well, is strong, grips and provides enough length that you do not burn your hand when working the grill. We feel that the OXO Grill Tongs and Weber Original Grill tongs are the top picks in this category. Why? Let us explain.

After using BBQ grill tongs over the past 20 years, I’ve learnt a couple key takeaways that matter to me. It really comes down to two things:

  • Construction and Material: I prefer metal tipped grill tongs. They grip the best and withstand abuse. Leave the soft touch grill tongs for your non-stick pans. They need to be built strong. I don’t like buying things twice.
  • Length: I prefer longer tongs. When I’m flipping meat on a full grill, I want separation from the heat and my arm.

All the grill tongs we selected below were tested/reviewed based on these parameters and more. Read why we chose them.

IMAGE MODEL FEATURES
byb2-table__imageTop PickTop PickOXO Good Grips
  • Scalloped pinceers
  • Non slip grip
  • Perfect balance of optimum length and tension
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byb2-table__imageRunner UpRunner UpWeber Original
  • Heavy duty stainless steel
  • Adept at holding large items
  • Comfortable handle
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byb2-table__imageBest Scissor TongsBest Scissor TongsShark BBQ Tongs
  • Heat proof PVC handles
  • Indented tip
  • Can be used as spatula or serrated edge knife
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byb2-table__imageBest Tongs SetBest Tongs SetGrillHogs BBQ Set
  • Thick oak handles
  • Sturdy construction
  • Great value
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byb2-table__imageBest BudgetBest BudgetWinco Coiled Tongs
  • Inexpensive
  • Scalloped grips = easier to handle larger cuts of meat
  • Quality construction
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BBQ Grill Tongs Roundup


1. Top Pick – OXO Good Grips 16-inch Stainless Tongs Review

What We Like…

  • Simple, reliable operation
  • A perfect balance of optimum length and tension
  • Scalloped pincers provide flexibility and grip strength
  • Non-slip grips a delight to use

What Makes Us Angry…

  • Some customers report issues with the locking mechanism
  • Might not be a great choice for larger cuts of meat

First on our list is the immensely popular and extremely functional OXO Good Grips 16-inch stainless steel locking tongs. If you are looking for a comfortable, functional, and highly reliable option that just works every time, you will not be disappointed if you pick OXO. The 16-inch length creates the perfect balance between safe distance and easy usability, while the tough, durable stainless steel design is enough to inspire confidence even in beginners.

The pincers have a scalloped design that aligns the edges giving these tongs an excellent grip. Different foods of different textures can be easily handled with these tongs. If you want precise operation while working with small, slender vegetables, that is also not a problem. OXO’s signature grips are made with a focus on preventing slips and making operation comfortable. The tension of the tongs is also perfectly balanced, requiring just the right amount of effort to operate.

These dishwasher-safe tongs have a reliable locking mechanism and attached hook for easy storage. The simplicity and functionality of the product, combined with an attractive price, makes it easy to understand its popularity. This can be a magnificent first product for BBQ beginners too.

2. Runner Up – Weber 6610 Original Review

What We Like…

  • Heavy-duty stainless steel construction for long service life
  • Particularly adept at holding large, heavy ingredients
  • Comfortable, ergonomic handle
  • Excellent value

What Makes Us Angry…

  • Might struggle a little with smaller, delicate ingredients
  • The locking mechanism seizes up sometimes

Whenever it comes to anything related to BBQ, Weber is always an important name; one of the stalwarts in the business that many BBQ enthusiasts depend on. It is, therefore, no surprise that our list contains this simple and wonderful Weber product, 6610 Original grill tongs. The first thing that you’ll notice when you pick up these tongs is the solid, heavy-duty construction. However, this does not make it feel too heavy or unwieldy.

The large ribbed pincers provide a lot of surface area that helps you negotiate even large and heavy cuts of meat. While this might not be the best tool to handle small or delicate ingredients, this can definitely be a workhorse on the grill most days. One of the main selling points is the comfortable handle. It is ergonomically shaped and comes covered with a heat-resistant soft-touch material that makes handling a pleasure. This also makes it easy to create and maintain grip pressure when you need to.

The tongs are safe to put in a dishwasher and the solid stainless steel construction can help them last a long time. It also comes with a robust handle lock and a hanging loop for convenient storage. The spring tension is also set up just right, making daily usage a comfortable, easy affair. At its price, it represents great value.

3. Best Scissor Tongs – Shark BBQ Tongs Review

What We Like…

  • Heat-proof PVC handles
  • Extra length for safer use
  • Can be used as a spatula or serrated-edge knife
  • Indented tip creates a sure, firm grip

What Makes Us Angry…

  • Joints can become harder to move over time
  • Serrated edges are extremely sharp
  • A little expensive

If you are looking for a robust, effective pair of scissor tongs, our pick is the excellent Shark BBQ tongs. The double-hinged tongs are constructed from durable steel, making them one of the toughest and sturdiest in the comparison. The good quality of materials also means that these tongs can stand up to the heat for years and offer a long service life. The 304-grade steel is also naturally resistant to rust.

The most important quality of the Shark BBQ tongs is the sheer comfort of use. The double-hinged design prevents messes and does not tire out your hand, even with prolonged use. The long 17.5-inch frame gives you some extra protection from the heat while the comfortable PVC handles effectively keep your hands and fingers cool.

If you are looking for a robust, effective pair of scissor tongs, our pick is the excellent Shark BBQ tongs. The double-hinged tongs are constructed from durable steel, making them one of the toughest and sturdiest in the comparison. The good quality of materials also means that these tongs can stand up to the heat for years and offer a long service life. The 304-grade steel is also naturally resistant to rust.

The most important quality of the Shark BBQ tongs is the sheer comfort of use. The double-hinged design prevents messes and does not tire out your hand, even with prolonged use. The long 17.5-inch frame gives you some extra protection from the heat while the comfortable PVC handles effectively keep your hands and fingers cool.

The unique design of the Shark BBQ tongs brings to the table some interesting opportunities. On one side, the pincer is designed flat so that it can also be used as a spatula tool when you need to slide or flip things over. The other pincer has an indented tip and two serrated edges, giving you a better grip while holding things. The serrated edge can also be used as a makeshift knife, letting you slice your meats with ease once they are done cooking and resting.

With so much functionality and features packed into the product, it is difficult to ignore the Shark BBQ tongs if you are looking for a versatile pair of scissor tongs. They are also dishwasher-safe.

4. Best BBQ Grill Tongs Set – GrillHogs BBQ Tongs Set Review

What We Like…

  • Thick oak handles resist heat and look terrific
  • Sturdy construction
  • Nice value and options

What Makes Us Angry…

  • Scalloped pincers struggle with smaller and more delicate ingredients
  • Grill Hogs Logo Fades

If you are looking to create a collection of solid, reliable, and simple BBQ tongs that stand the test of time and deliver great performance while coming at a budget, look no further than the offerings from GrillHogs. GrillHogs is a reputed name when it comes to BBQ, and their tongs sets can provide excellent utility and great value.

The GrillHogs tongs are made of stainless steel and clad with thick oak wood. Oak is a great choice both in terms of aesthetics and durability, and the thick cladding does inspire confidence. It also creates a heat-resistant handle that is very easy to work with safely and conveniently. The pincers are scalloped for better grip, and the lock and hook mechanism makes it easy to lock the tongs in place and store them away when not in use.

The GrillHogs BBQ tongs are available in 9-inch, 12-inch, and 16-inch varieties. With all three versions, you also have the option of purchasing a two-pack for a better deal. For regular, heavy-duty grillwork, these can be great resources to have at home.

5. Best Budget BBQ Grill Tongs – Winco Coiled Tongs Review

What We Like…

  • Excellent quality of materials and construction
  • Scalloped grips make it easy to handle larger cuts of meat
  • Inexpensive and excellent value

What makes Us Angry…

  • No heat-resistant coating on handles
  • No storage loop
  • No locking mechanism

BBQ Grill Tongs Explained

If you are looking to create perfection on the grill, the right grill tools can be much more important than you expect. While some might argue that other tools are more central to the grilling experience, the right BBQ grill tongs can make your work a lot easier and more convenient. Tongs allow you to handle and maneuver your meat on the grill easily. Right from placing your chosen cuts on the grill to taking them off when cooked, having the right set of tongs can make your experience a lot more pleasurable. Effectively, they work as an extension of your arm.

While choosing the right grill tongs for your use, you need to look at several factors and characteristics which can impact performance. The material, the build quality, the grip and traction, and how well the tongs can withstand heat can be important parameters.

Let us take a deeper look into grill tongs and what makes them good.

What Makes a Great Pair of Grill Tongs?

When you are looking for that perfect pair of grill tongs, there are certain properties that you need to watch out for. The aim is to stay safe from the heat of the grill, have a good grip on the meat so as to avoid accidents, rips, or tears, and enjoy reliable operation over the years. Here are some of the parameters that you can take a look at to form your initial impressions. 

Grill Tong Length

The length of your grill tongs is probably its most important attribute. The tongs need to serve as a safe extension for your arm so that you can keep away from the heat while still being able to manipulate and handle the meat on the grill. On the other hand, they cannot be as long as to compromise on grip strength and leverage. Most grill tongs try to aim for a sweet spot around 16 inches- the optimum distance that balances safe handling and leverage.

Grill Tong Grip

There are two distinct things you need to keep in mind regarding the grip of your grill tongs. You need to have the right grip strength and traction so as to be able to handle large cuts of meat or heavy vegetables. On the other hand, you also need the grip to be versatile and flexible so that you can hold on to delicate meats without damaging them. The tongs also need to support opening wide enough to accommodate sizable cuts of meat. In most cases, you would be looking for tongs with shallow scalloped curves in the grip area that provide the best balance between grip strength and versatility. There is nothing worse than losing grip of those perfectly grilled chicken thighs and have them fall on the patio floor.

Grill Tong Strength

Grill tongs need to be strong and durable. These are supposed to get exposed to heat on a regular basis and need to be properly built to withstand that exposure. Strong and heavy grill tongs also allow you to get a good hold of heavier cuts. Weaker tongs might buckle under the weight of larger cuts of meat. Also, trying to hold on to heavier cuts of meat with lighter tongs can tire out your arms very quickly. Briskets are heavy so you want your strongest set to move it.

Material and Locking

Grill tongs can come in different materials. Metal, plastic, and silicone are some popular options. Going for plastic tongs might not be a good idea when you are dealing with a hot grill. Heavy-duty stainless steel or metal tongs can be particularly good options. You can also benefit from a pair of tongs that have a reliable locking mechanism. If you have a locking mechanism that allows you to clamp the tongs shut when they are not in use, they can stay in proper alignment for a long time.

Traditional Grill Tongs vs. Scissor Tongs

You might also be faced with a choice between traditional and scissor tongs. By and large, it is important to remember that each kind has its advantages and can come in handy for specific situations. Traditional tongs are simple to use and come in many varieties. The operational aspect of these is obvious, and there is not much that can go wrong if you choose a sturdy, well-built pair. On the other hand, scissor tongs look and function like scissors. 

While scissor tongs might not be able to accomplish all that a traditional pair of tongs can, they can come in handy in certain situations. Since the structure of scissor tongs consists of a pivot point, things can be picked up with them using less application of pressure. Similarly, if a precise amount of delicate pressure needs to be applied, this can be easier with scissor tongs. 

This makes them a salient choice for delicate meats and fish. Moreover, scissor tongs often have multiple uses, for example, you might get scissors tongs that have a large flat side that can double up as a spatula. Depending on your application, both traditional and scissor tongs can be great additions to your arsenal.

Now, let us take a closer look at five BBQ grill tongs that we consider excellent options for multiple use cases.

If you want a simple, inexpensive set of tongs that work flawlessly every time, the Winco Coiled Set grill tongs can be the workhorse performer you need. These are simple 16-inch stainless steel tongs made from quality material and fitted with a spring-coiled hinge. The overwhelming simplicity of the design comes with an appealing price tag attached to it and when you look at the reliable, consistent performance, you have a real deal on your hands.

The tongs are easy to clean and also safe to use with dishwashers. The slender length makes it even easier to handle and the tongs work well with ingredients large and small. The construction is heavy-duty and the reassuring stability and solidity of the tongs inspire confidence with every use. The rust-resistant steel also stands up well to consistent heat exposure without any warping.

The tongs feel perfectly balanced with a scalloped grip on the pincers that can securely hold ingredients without needing a lot of force. In spite of the fact that the grips are all bare metal with no heat-resistant coatings, the tongs stay relatively cool during regular use. However, mittens might be an acute idea if you are looking to use these for long grilling sessions.

On the downside, some features have been foregone to keep the price down. The tongs do not have any locking mechanism and there is no tail hook for easy storage. The spring used in the hinge can also become harder to compress once the product has been used for a long time. However, many satisfied customers swear by the reliable quality of construction and materials that you get from these pair of tongs. The price is the real cherry on top.

Your Call, Your Choice

By now you understand the importance of the right tongs for that perfect BBQ experience. Grill tongs are a tool that can make your grilling experience so much easier and more enjoyable. You just need to find the right pair of tongs that can be a perfect tool for your grilling needs. 

If you choose any one of the five products reviewed above, you will have an excellent tool that can really become a functional extension of your hands and provide valuable, reliable service when you are in front of your grill.

From budget option to premium offerings, we have offered you options that are tried-and-tested and vouched for by satisfied customers. All you need to do is understand your needs, set a budget, and pick up the right pair of tongs from these options.

Looking for more grilling tips? Know when to take that meat off the grill at the right time by having the best meat temperature thermometer.

AngryBBQ Team

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