A pair of stainless steel BBQ tongs is the tool you reach for most often during any session. Turning, shifting, sliding something sideways to find a cooler spot: you do all of that with tongs, not with a fork that punctures your meat. These tongs from Grill Fanatics are stainless steel and long enough to keep your hands clear of the direct glow, even when your kamado's lid has just opened.
What makes good stainless steel BBQ tongs
A good pair of tongs does three things. It closes just enough to carry a thick steak without squashing it flat, it's stiff enough not to bend under a hefty piece of meat, and it's long enough to keep your wrist away from the heat. Stainless steel is the obvious choice here: it takes high temperatures and won't rust from grease and marinade.
- Stainless steel, built to withstand the heat above a coal bed
- Enough length to work with the lid open
- Grip on steaks, sausages, chicken pieces, vegetables and skewers
- Doesn't puncture the meat, so you don't lose juices
- Also handy for shifting charcoal and smoking wood
How to work with it
Grip the thickest part of your meat and lift, don't squeeze. On a thick steak, turn the tongs on their side to sear the edges. For the coals themselves, it's best to keep a second pair separate: ash and grease shouldn't share the same tool.
Care
Wipe them down right after use while the steel is still warm, that's when caked-on grease comes off easiest. Then dry them properly. Don't leave the tongs wet in a drawer, since even stainless steel gets stains if it stays damp for long.
Find the rest of your grilling tools in the BBQ tools. Want extra hand protection? Check out the Grill Fanatics gloves. For pans and plates you'll use alongside the tongs, take a look at BBQ cast iron.
