5 Best Grill Tongs Reviewed for 2024

best grill tongs

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Grill tongs are an indispensable piece of kit at any BBQ.  

The best grill tongs will keep your hands safe from the heat, provide dexterity when flipping your meats and save you the embarrassment of dropping food in front of your guests.  

Call us biased, but our favorite tongs are the Smoke Kitchen 18″ Extra Long Grill Tongs which we designed in-house.

From Our Shop
Smoke Kitchen BBQ Tongs - 18 Inch Extra Long Grill Tongs For Pitmasters - Premium Stainless Steel
$21.95

Extra long tongs keep your hands away from the heat while still feeling perfectly balanced in your hand.


Pros:
  • FREE USA Shipping & Returns
  • 45 Day Money-Back Guarantee
Shop now

Our top five best grill tongs 

As an essential piece of kit, grill tongs can make or break your BBQ. To help you find your perfect match, we’ve reviewed five of the most highly-rated choices on the market right now.

1. Best Overall – Smoke Kitchen 18″ Extra Long Grill Tongs

Our team was sick of flimsy grill tongs that couldn’t properly grab items, slipt out of your hands when greasy, and fell apart after a few months of use.

So we designed our very own Smoke Kitchen Extra Long Grill Tongs.

These 18″ long tongs allow you to easily rearrange hot charcoal without burning your hands.

The rubber handle keeps the tongs secured in your hands while you flip steaks or rearrange ribs, and best of all, it doesn’t lose its grip like a lot of wood and plastic handles do.

The flat head allows you to slide the tongs under food, while the scalloped edges make it easy to grip and maneuver a heavy ribeye steak or rack of ribs. Lock the tongs with a single pull on the loop, then hang them for easy storage.

Tough enough for use day in, day out, year after year.

What we like:

  • Designed by pitmasters, for pitmasters – We’re pretty biased because we designed these, but we are confident you won’t find better tongs for the price
  • Scalloped edge – Precise handling without piercing your food and losing precious meat juices
  • Extra grippy handle – These tongs won’t slip when you’re handling an expensive Wagyu steak

What we don’t like:

  • Not the cheapest – We used the best stainless steel and parts we could find which means these aren’t the cheapest grill tongs on the market.
From Our Shop
Smoke Kitchen BBQ Tongs - 18 Inch Extra Long Grill Tongs For Pitmasters - Premium Stainless Steel
$21.95

Extra long tongs keep your hands away from the heat while still feeling perfectly balanced in your hand.


Pros:
  • FREE USA Shipping & Returns
  • 45 Day Money-Back Guarantee
Shop now

2. Runner Up – Broil King 18-Inch Imperial Stainless Steel Locking Tongs

Broil King is better known for selling gas grills, but like most companies they also offer a range of accessories.

A sturdy piece of kit made from high-quality stainless steel, these tongs also boast a comfortable grip resin handle that feels great in the hand.

The 18-inch length is ideal for keeping your arms and hands safe from the heat, while the small flat side also works great as a flipper, eliminating the need for an additional spatula. 

Thanks to their high-quality build, they can also take the weight and bulk of heavier cuts of meat without bending. When you’re done, simply clean them over, lock them closed, and hang them up ready for your next BBQ.

Comfortable to use, highly durable, and easy to clean and store – these Broil King Tongs are a great pick for any grill enthusiast. 

What we like:

  • Locking mechanism for hanging.
  • Comfortable grip handles.
  • Flat side can be used as a flipper.
  • Highly durable stainless steel.

2. Runner Up – OXO Good Grips 16-Inch Stainless Steel Locking Tongs

A close runner up in our best grill tong reviews, the OXO Good Grips Locking Tongs are another excellent choice. 

Made from heavy-gauge stainless steel, they are built to last and won’t get bent out of shape when picking up heavier, bulkier cuts. The non-slip, flexible handles give you enhanced control over your tongs, while the comfortable thumb rest makes even all-day grilling sessions easy on your hands.

One of the best selling points of these grilling tongs is their fantastic degree of springiness. The tension is set perfectly, so you won’t have to struggle to grip your food firmly. They are prone to sticking closed the first few times you use them, though – so they may need some time to loosen up. 

The scalloped clamp ends will grip even the slipperiest marinated meat, while the locking mechanism is great for storing your tongs or hanging up when you’re taking a break.

At 16 inches in length, they will keep you protected from the heat – while their robust spring mechanism makes turning and flipping as simple as turning your wrist. 

What we like:

  • Non-slip, flexible handles.
  • Locking mechanism for hanging.
  • Durable brushed stainless steel.
  • Great grip, even with slippery marinades. 

What we don’t like:

  • Can be a bit stiff and stick closed during first use. 

3. Best Looking Tongs – GRILLHOGS 16 Inch Barbecue Grill Tongs

If you are looking for a pair of good looking grill tongs, then be sure to check out this version by Grillhogs. 

Made from high-quality stainless steel, the damage-resistant, natural oak handles set this model apart. The wood is comfortable to hold and unlike some synthetic materials, it doesn’t heat up too quickly if left exposed to high temperatures. And not to mention – it makes them look incredibly stylish. 

Ideal for withstanding the weight of heavier cuts of meat, these hefty tongs grip well and have a good degree of springiness. Manufactured to last, they are durable and make a good choice if you’re looking for a stylish set of tongs that can cope with the rigors of brisket grilling and large slabs of ribs. 

At 16 inches long, these tongs are a good length to keep your hands protected from the heat, while the scalloped shaped clamps improve grip. The only slight negative to this model is their triangular-shaped lock tab. Unfortunately, it is a little too small to fit most hooks, although you could always add on a string loop to hang yours wherever you choose. 

What we like:

  • Locking feature.
  • Natural oak wooden handles.
  • Scalloped edge clamps.

What we don’t like:

  • Triangular lock tab doesn’t fit all hooks for hanging.

4. Best for Grilling in the Dark – Steven Raichlen 20-Inch Ultimate LumaTong With LED Light

If you’re known for your grilling marathons, or just prefer to grill when temperatures start to drop around late evening time – then the LumaTong is the product for you.

These innovative tongs come complete with two removable LED lights, so you can carry on grilling into the small hours. The plastic LED light case can be easily removed for simple cleaning – which is useful, as grilling can get messy sometimes. 

The tongs themselves are sturdy, easily capable of taking the weight of a tri-tip or brisket cut. They are pretty big, at 20 inches long, but they’re easy to hold and they grip well. Thanks to the insulated Bakelite handles, your hands won’t feel the heat too much, even when spending several hours over your grill.

Highly versatile, these quirky grill tongs also lock for easy storage and hanging. The only thing we didn’t like with this model is that batteries are not included, so make sure to order some separately or you may find yourself in the dark.  

What we like:

  • Attached LED lights
  • Insulated Bakelite handles.
  • Detachable light case for easy cleaning
  • Long 20” length.
  • Sturdy steel construction. 

What we don’t like:

  • Batteries not included.

5. Best Grill Tong Spatula Set – Weber Stainless Steel 2 Piece Barbecue Tool Set

This Two-Piece BBQ Tool Set by Weber is our favorite grill tong and spatula set. 

This sturdy stainless steel BBQ tool set has been manufactured with care and precision to last you for many years to come.

The grill tongs on this set measure 17 inches long, so are sure to keep your hands away from the heat for safety and comfort. The soft grip handles make the tongs easy to hold during long backyard grilling sessions. 

They are also easy to squeeze, making it simple to pick up small, delicate food items, as well as turning over large, heavy cuts of meat.

Thanks to their hands-free locking mechanism, you can effortlessly lock and unlock your tongs as needed without fumbling. Both the spatula and tongs also come complete with metal hanging rings for convenient storage. 

Easy to clean, well-made and attractive to the eye, this tong and spatula BBQ set makes an excellent choice if you’re looking for a set that’s as good looking as it is highly practical. 

What we like:

  • Hands-free locking mechanism.
  • Durable stainless steel construction.
  • Stylish, high finish set.
  • Sturdy metal hanging rings. 

What we don’t like:

  • Metal handles can get very hot if left too close to the grill. 

What makes for a good grill tong?

Still not sure which type of grill tong is best for you? Here’s what you need to know. 

And if you want to know how to use grill tongs, here is some timeless advice:

Length

Long grill tongs are ideal for keeping your hands away from hot grill coals, thus reducing the chances of getting burned and general discomfort. 

However, when deciding on the right length, you should also bear in mind the size of your grill and the types of food that you frequently prepare. For example, if you have a small grill and like to cook generous chunks of meat, a 20-inch set of tongs may be a bit overkill. 

On the other hand, if you are grilling plenty of different cuts and side dishes on a large grill, a long set of tongs is the best choice. This will make it easier to reach over and between items on the grill, and through different areas of direct and indirect heat without discomfort.

Construction

We recommend looking for grill tongs with a solid stainless steel construction that is durable and resistant to high temperatures. 

Also, pay attention to any locking or tension mechanisms and how they are operated. In general, the simpler the mechanism is, the better. Fewer working parts means less things that can break – so you don’t need to worry about choosing one with an overly complex design. 

Handles

Choose your handles carefully, especially if you tend to spend long periods of time at your grill. 

A good pair of handles will help you to grip your tongs comfortably, ensuring that they won’t slip through your fingers and potentially ruin your dinner. 

Tong handles also provide insulation, so make sure to choose a pair that can withstand the heat. We recommend opting for a pair that has silicone, Bakelite or wooden handles.

Grip

A pair of tongs with a good level of grip make flipping over your food a piece of cake. The best grill tongs will have a certain degree of resistance, so you can pick up your chunky briskets, as well as finer chicken wings and vegetables, without damaging or dropping them. 

We recommend looking for models with scalloped clamps to improve grip, especially if you often grill smaller or heavily marinated items that are prone to slipping.

Conclusion

Our overall best-rated grill tong is easily the Smoke Kitchen 18″ Extra Long Grill Tongs

While the Oxo Good Grips makes a worthy runner up and the Weber Two Piece Tool Set is stylish and practical – neither can quite compete with the outstanding design and grip of the Broil King Imperial.

With its highly durable stainless steel construction, comfortable handles and easy to operate locking mechanism, these grill tongs have much to offer. 

We love their generous length and sturdy feel when gripping heavier cuts, as well as their slightly unusual clamp ends that also double up as a handy flipper. 

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