6 Best Grill Tongs of 2023

Our experts test all types of grills and everything to make grilling easier, including grill brushes, grill thermometers and grill baskets. We use the tongs across cooking duties, including flipping steaks, burgers, skewers and both large and small vegetables so we can determine how nimble the tongs are and whether they tear or pierce ingredients.

We assess the comfort of the handles as well as the amount of grip needed to adjust the tongs. We factor in the length of the tongs, the configuration of the tips and the ease of the locking mechanism. We prefer tongs with a hanging ring or strap for ease of storage.

✔️ Size: Our pros like long-handled tongs because they protect your hands and forearms from intense heat, especially when reaching over a large grilling surface. That said, longer tongs can be heavier and trickier to maneuver, and some might not fit comfortably in your hands. We generally recommend trying 12- to 16-inch tongs to see which work for you and your grill setup.

✔️ Handle material:

• Silicone handles provide a comfortable grip and generally stay cool to the touch.
• Metal handles can become extremely hot when cooking, and some may become slippery if you sweat or are working with greasy foods or slick marinades.
• Wooden handles stay cool and are usually easy to grasp without slipperiness, yet they can get worn, dirty or charred quickly.

✔️ Tip material:

• Silicone tips are the smart choice if you'll be working with nonstick or enameled cast iron surfaces that might be prone to scratching. Silicone tips are also gentler on food, which can be helpful if you don't want to pierce what you're turning or transferring. But keep in mind that silicone is not as heat resistant or durable as metal.
• Metal tips work well with metal grates, cooktops and cookware. They're also durable and well-suited to high heat. They provide a secure grip on foods, but they can pierce or tear food too.

✔️ Locking mechanism: Grill tongs that lock closed become more compact for storage. Look for models that unlock easily — ideally with a one-handed motion — so you don't have to fumble to get them open when you need to act fast in front of a hot grill. Tongs that don't lock can be trickier to grab and they are often more strenuous to hold shut during use, which can be taxing on your grip.

✔️ Set options: If you grill a variety of foods at the same time — say, chicken and veggies or pork and fruit — our pros suggest multiple pairs of tongs: Dedicate one pair to meats so you don’t cross-contaminate while prepping or cooking. Sets often include other utensils, like spatulas, brushes or carving forks, which make them worthwhile for multiple ingredients.

✔️ Special features:

• A storage ring allows you to hang your tongs on a hook in your kitchen or on your grill when they’re not in use.
• Tips with scalloped edges can offer additional precision when handling heavy or small foods.
• Vented tips can be helpful when working with steamy foods, as it allows the moisture to escape so it's not slippery.
• A built-in flashlight makes it easier to cook after the sun sets or to get an early-morning start on low-and-slow foods.

Sara Tane is a food writer, recipe developer and product tester. She tested grill pans for the Good Housekeeping Institute and uses her culinary training to write for numerous publications. She conducted the testing of these tongs alongside Kitchen Appliances Lab Director Nicole Papantoniou.

Sarah Wharton is a Deputy Editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute. She is a trained cook and applies to her culinary knowledge to product testing, including leading the test for grill thermometers.