On a busy grill, tongs do most of the work. They turn skirt steak for carne asada, move chicken thighs from the hot side to the cool side, pick up whole jalapeños and spring onions, and lift tortillas off the grate before they burn. A spatula has its moments, but tongs are in your hand the whole time.
Kitchen tongs are usually 9 or 12 inches long, which puts your knuckles right over the coals. Grill tongs are longer, stiffer and made for a hot grate. This guide covers long-handled grill tongs only, from OXO, Cuisinart, Le Creuset, Kamado Joe, Broil King, Traeger, Mr. Bar-B-Q, Char-Broil and Hotec, and explains what to look for in length, heads and locks.
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Quick verdict: which grill tongs to buy
For most grills, the best grill tongs are the OXO Outdoor Grilling Tongs: about 16 inches long, with angled, scalloped heads, a soft non-slip grip and a tab that locks them shut. If you want a simple stainless pair for less, the Cuisinart 16-inch Locking Grill Tongs have silicone grips and a one-year warranty. For a kamado or a deep charcoal grill, the 18-inch Kamado Joe Krafted Tongs give you the most reach.
Below, each pair is reviewed in full, followed by what to look for and how to keep your tongs clean between cooks.
Five pairs of grill tongs at a glance
Our five standout picks side by side, one for each kind of griller, with the specifications each maker or listing states. All nine pairs are reviewed in full below.
| Tongs | Best for | Length | Heads | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
OXO Outdoor Grilling TongsBest overall
|
Most grills, gas or charcoal | About 16 inches | Angled, scalloped | View on Amazon |
Cuisinart 16-inch Locking Grill TongsBest value
|
A simple, sturdy pair | 16 inches | Stainless steel | View on Amazon |
Kamado Joe Krafted 18-inch Steel TongsLongest reach
|
Kamados, deep charcoal grills | 18 inches | Grooved teeth | View on Amazon |
Broil King Baron 16-inch TongsBest spatula-tong
|
Fish, burgers, flat lifts | 16 inches (nominal) | One flat, one scalloped | View on Amazon |
| All-steel build, wide opening | 17.5 inches | Ridged, grate-cleaning | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Lengths are as stated by each maker or listing; some retailers measure differently, so check the listing before you buy.
Our picks for the best grill tongs
All nine pairs are at least 14 inches long and made of stainless steel. They differ in their heads (scalloped, toothed, ridged or one flat blade), in how they lock, and in their grips. None of them is the same as the tongs on our kitchen tongs page, and none is a set: for spatula-and-tong sets, see the best grill tools.
1. OXO Outdoor Grilling Tongs – Angled Heads and a Locking Tab
The pair to buy if you only buy one: long enough for a full-size grill, light enough to use all evening, and easy to grip.
The heads are angled and scalloped, which OXO says helps them grip large vegetables and thick cuts. Angled heads matter more than they sound: they let you reach down onto the grate and close flat on a piece of chicken without lifting your elbow high over the heat. The scallops grip without the sharp teeth that can tear a piece of fish or catch on the bars.
The extra-long design keeps your hand away from the heat, and America’s Test Kitchen names this model (11309000) a co-winner of its grill tong testing. The handle is soft and non-slip, a tab locks the tongs closed for storage, and there is a built-in bottle opener. These are the same tongs that come in OXO’s three-piece grilling set; buy them on their own if you already own a spatula.
Why we like it
- Angled, scalloped heads grip thick cuts and vegetables
- About 16 inches long
- Soft, non-slip handle
- Locking tab for storage, plus a bottle opener
Key specifications
| Model | 11309000 (part number) |
|---|---|
| Length | About 16 inches (America’s Test Kitchen) |
| Material | Rust-resistant stainless steel |
| Heads | Angled, scalloped |
| Lock | Locking tab |
| Handle | Soft, non-slip grip; bottle opener |
| Dishwasher | Not stated |
| Warranty | Not stated in the listing |
Why we recommend it
America’s Test Kitchen’s testers preferred arms of about 16 inches and heads with shallow scalloped edges, and this pair has both. OXO’s grip makes a long pair comfortable for a whole cook.
Skip it if you cook over a deep kamado or a large offset firebox, where an 18-inch pair keeps your hand further back.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Angled heads reach the grate easily
- Comfortable grip
- Locks for storage
Cons
- Length not printed in the listing
- Dishwasher care not stated
2. Cuisinart 16-inch Locking Grill Tongs – Stainless with Silicone Grips
Cuisinart’s CIT-102 tongs are a plain, heavy-duty stainless pair with nothing to go wrong. The brushed steel arms are 16 inches long, and the listing rates them for gas, charcoal and pellet grills as well as indoor cooking.
The handles have silicone grips that the listing says give a comfortable, slip-resistant hold, which helps when your hands are oily from a marinade. A simple pull-lock keeps the tongs closed for a drawer or a tool hook. Cuisinart backs them with a one-year warranty.
They are a sensible pair to keep beside the grill all season, or a second pair for raw meat so you are not using the same tongs for raw and cooked food.
Why we like it
- 16-inch brushed stainless arms
- Non-slip silicone grips
- Pull-lock for storage
- One-year warranty
Key specifications
| Model | CIT-102 |
|---|---|
| Length | 16 inches |
| Material | Brushed stainless steel |
| Heads | Stainless steel; shape not stated |
| Lock | Pull-lock |
| Handle | Silicone grips |
| Dishwasher | Not stated |
| Warranty | One year |
Why we recommend it
It does the basic job well at a low cost: long enough for any backyard grill, stiff enough for a whole chicken, and easy to hold. The warranty is stated plainly, which not every pair here can say.
Skip it if you want angled heads or a pair you can open and close one-handed without thinking; a pull-lock is simple but slower than a tab.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Heavy-duty stainless
- Silicone grips
- Stated one-year warranty
Cons
- Straight heads, not angled
- Dishwasher care not stated
3. Kamado Joe Krafted 18-inch Steel Tongs – The Most Reach
Kamado Joe makes ceramic kamado grills, where the coals sit deep in the firebox and the heat comes straight up out of the dome. Its Krafted tongs are 18 inches long, the longest pair on this list, to keep your hand out of that column of heat.
They are heavy-duty stainless steel with grooved teeth that the maker says hold everything from delicate fish to thick steaks without tearing. The spring action is smooth to reduce hand fatigue during long cooks, a locking pin keeps them closed, and Kamado Joe’s product page describes a notch for resting the head and a hanging hook. They are dishwasher safe.
The extra length is useful on any charcoal grill, not only a kamado, especially when you are moving food from the hot side to the cool side over a full chimney of coals.
Why we like it
- 18 inches long
- Grooved teeth for a secure grip
- Locking mechanism and hanging hook
- Dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Model | KJ15184326 |
|---|---|
| Length | 18 inches |
| Material | Heavy-duty stainless steel |
| Heads | Grooved teeth |
| Lock | Locking pin |
| Handle | Steel, hanging hook |
| Dishwasher | Yes |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
On a deep, very hot grill, reach is the safety feature that matters most, and these give you two inches more than a standard 16-inch pair.
Skip it if you mostly cook on a gas grill or a small kettle. America’s Test Kitchen preferred tongs of about 16 inches over longer ones, so the extra length is only worth it over a deep fire.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Most reach on this list
- Grooved teeth grip firmly
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Less control than a shorter pair
- Toothed heads can mark delicate food
4. Broil King Baron 16-inch Tongs – One Flat Blade for Lifting
Grill maker Broil King gives its Baron tongs two different blades. One is a conventional scalloped head for gripping. The other is flat, like a spatula, so you can slide it under a burger patty, a fish fillet or a quesadilla and lift it with the scalloped blade on top.
They are heavy-gauge stainless steel with a silicone grip, and the locking mechanism doubles as a hanging hook. Broil King sells them as 16-inch tongs; some retailers measure the overall length at closer to 17.7 inches.
That flat blade makes them the closest thing on this page to carrying a spatula and tongs in one hand, which is handy when you are also holding a plate.
Why we like it
- One flat blade slides under food
- Heavy-gauge stainless steel
- Silicone grip
- Lock doubles as a hanging hook
Key specifications
| Model | 64032 |
|---|---|
| Length | 16 inches nominal (about 17.7 inches overall, per retailers) |
| Material | Heavy-gauge stainless steel |
| Heads | One flat, one scalloped |
| Lock | Locking mechanism with hook |
| Handle | Silicone grip |
| Dishwasher | Not stated |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
For anything that sticks a little or breaks easily, a flat blade gets under it before you squeeze. It is a good choice for fish, burgers and stuffed peppers.
Skip it if you mostly grip round things such as sausages or corn, where two scalloped heads hold more securely than one flat blade.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Lifts like a spatula
- Sturdy steel
- Hangs from its lock
Cons
- Weaker grip on round food
- Care and warranty not stated
5. Le Creuset Stainless Steel Outdoor Tongs, 17.5-inch – Wide Opening, Grate-Cleaning Ridges
Le Creuset’s outdoor tongs are all stainless steel, with a brushed handle and no rubber or silicone to wear or melt. At 17.5 inches they sit between a standard pair and the Kamado Joe.
The spring opens wide, which helps with a rack of ribs or a whole chicken. The ridges on the heads are designed to clean most grill grates, according to the listing, so you can scrape a stuck spot without reaching for a brush. A looped handle hangs from a grill hook or workstation, and the tongs are scratch and rust resistant and dishwasher safe.
An all-metal handle does get warm over a hot fire, so keep a grill glove handy for long cooks.
Why we like it
- All stainless steel, dishwasher safe
- 17.5 inches long
- Wide spring opening
- Ridges designed to scrape grill grates
Key specifications
| Model | 41214045001005 |
|---|---|
| Length | 17.5 inches |
| Material | Stainless steel, brushed handle |
| Heads | Ridged, made to clean grates |
| Lock | Not stated |
| Handle | Brushed steel, looped for hanging |
| Dishwasher | Yes |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It is a pair built to last, with nothing on it that can degrade from heat, and the grate-scraping ridges are a small but useful extra.
Skip it if you want a lock: the listing does not mention one, so these may need a hook or a wide drawer.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No grips to wear out
- Wide opening
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Steel handle can get warm
- No lock mentioned
- Premium cost
6. Traeger BBQ Tongs, 16.5-inch – Serrated Edges for Smoked Meat
Traeger, the pellet grill maker, sells these stainless tongs for its own grills, but they work on any. They are 16.5 inches long, with serrated edges that the listing says grip food securely.
A locking mechanism keeps them closed, there is a loop for hanging, and the listing calls them dishwasher safe. America’s Test Kitchen lists this model among its recommended grill tongs. Traeger also sells a version with a wood handle that retailers say should be hand washed, so check that you are buying the all-stainless BAC790 if you want the dishwasher.
Why we like it
- 16.5 inches long
- Serrated edges for grip
- Locks closed, loop for hanging
- Dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Model | BAC790 |
|---|---|
| Length | 16.5 inches |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Heads | Serrated |
| Lock | Locking mechanism |
| Handle | Steel, hanging loop |
| Dishwasher | Yes |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
A straightforward, long stainless pair from a grill maker, with a lock and a dishwasher rating. It suits pellet and charcoal cooks who handle big cuts like pork shoulder.
Skip it if you grill a lot of fish. Serrated edges grip hard and can tear delicate fillets; a scalloped pair is gentler.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Good length
- Locks and hangs
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Serrated edges are rough on fish
- Easy to confuse with the wood-handle version
7. Mr. Bar-B-Q Deluxe Locking Tongs, 16-inch – Balanced, Rubber-Grip Handle
Mr. Bar-B-Q is a grill-accessory brand, and its Deluxe tongs are 16-inch stainless steel with what the maker calls a patented, professionally balanced, non-slip TPR (rubber) handle.
Retailers list a locking handle. The thick rubber grip is the point here: it gives you a sure hold with greasy hands or a grill glove on, and it stays more comfortable than bare steel during a long cook.
Why we like it
- 16-inch stainless steel
- Non-slip rubber handle
- Locking handle, according to retailers
Key specifications
| Model | 20172Y |
|---|---|
| Length | 16 inches |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Heads | Not stated |
| Lock | Locking handle (retailers) |
| Handle | Non-slip TPR rubber grip |
| Dishwasher | Not stated |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
A dependable 16-inch pair with a softer, surer grip than bare steel handles give.
Skip it if you want full details before you buy: the listing gives very little beyond the handle, so the head shape and care are not stated.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Comfortable rubber grip
- Right length for most grills
Cons
- Sparse listing details
- Rubber grip should be kept off the grate
8. Char-Broil Comfort-Grip Locking Tongs – A Shorter Pair for Gas Grills
Char-Broil makes gas and charcoal grills, and its Comfort-Grip tongs are the shortest pair here, at about 14.85 inches overall according to a hardware retailer. That is still well beyond a 12-inch kitchen pair, and the shorter length gives a little more control on a gas grill, where the heat is lower and closer to the grate.
They are stainless steel with Char-Broil’s Comfort-Grip handle and a locking mechanism for storage, and the listing says they are dishwasher safe. They are made in China.
Why we like it
- Stainless steel with a comfort grip
- Locks for storage
- Dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Model | 4567702 |
|---|---|
| Length | About 14.85 inches (retailer) |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Heads | Not stated |
| Lock | Locking mechanism |
| Handle | Comfort-Grip |
| Dishwasher | Yes |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
It suits gas grills and small kettles, and cooks who find a 16-inch pair unwieldy.
Skip it if you cook over a deep charcoal fire. The shorter reach puts your hand closer to the coals than any other pair on this list.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Easier to control
- Dishwasher safe
- Locks closed
Cons
- Shortest reach here
- Length not stated by Char-Broil’s listing
9. Hotec 16-inch Extra Long Grill Tongs – Pull-Ring Lock, One-Piece Build
Hotec is a brand sold mainly on Amazon, and this is its long grill pair, separate from the shorter Hotec tongs on our kitchen tongs page. The arms are 16 inches, or 17 inches including the hanging ring.
The listing describes a seamless one-piece structure with no crevices to trap grease, a silicone-cushioned handle with a thumb rest, and a metal head that resists heat over 600°F. A ring on the end locks the tongs when you pull it and unlocks when you push. They are dishwasher safe.
Why we like it
- 16-inch reach (17 inches with ring)
- Pull-ring lock
- Silicone-cushioned handle with thumb rest
- Dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Model | Not stated (16-inch grill tongs) |
|---|---|
| Length | 16 inches; 17 inches with ring |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Heads | Metal, heat resistant over 600°F |
| Lock | Pull-ring |
| Handle | Silicone-cushioned, thumb rest |
| Dishwasher | Yes |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
A long, easy-to-clean pair for a small budget, good as a spare for raw meat.
Skip it if you want a maker with a long track record; the listing’s claim that the spring lasts 2.5 times the industry average is the maker’s own and we could not verify it.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Low cost
- No crevices to clean
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Amazon-first brand
- Warranty not stated
How to choose grill tongs
1. Length
In its grill tong testing, America’s Test Kitchen preferred arms of about 16 inches, calling roughly 16-inch tongs “just right”; longer pairs keep your hand further from the fire but are more to manage. Choose 16 inches for most gas and kettle grills, 17.5 to 18 inches for a kamado or a big charcoal fire, and around 15 inches if you want more control on a gas grill.
2. Heads
ATK’s testers preferred shallow scalloped edges, which grip securely without tearing. Sharp teeth and serrations hold large cuts firmly but can catch on the grate or tear fish. A flat blade, like Broil King’s, slides under delicate food.
3. Lock
A lock keeps the tongs closed in a drawer or on a hook. A tab or pull-ring that works with one hand is easiest at the grill; ATK liked locks that open easily, almost without thinking.
4. Grip and heat
Silicone and rubber grips are comfortable but should not rest on the grate. All-steel handles cannot melt but get warm; a grill glove solves that.
5. Cleaning
Raw meat juices get into springs and joints. Dishwasher-safe pairs and one-piece designs are easiest to keep clean. Use one pair for raw meat and another for cooked food.
How we picked these nine pairs
We looked at long-handled grill tongs from grill makers and kitchenware brands, checked every pair’s stock through Amazon’s product data, and kept only tongs at least about 15 inches long that were in stock and sold singly rather than as part of a tool set. We left out the tongs already recommended on our kitchen tongs and grill tools pages, and kept to no more than two brands sold mainly on Amazon. Weber’s 18-inch Precision tongs were nearly sold out when we checked, so they are not on the list. Specifications come from the makers’ pages and Amazon listings, cited in each review; where they disagree on length, we say so. For what makes a good pair of grill tongs we relied on America’s Test Kitchen’s grill tong testing. We checked the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall database for each brand and found no recall covering these tongs. We have not used every pair on this list ourselves.
Grill tong questions, answered
How long should grill tongs be?
About 16 inches suits most grills. Go to 17.5 or 18 inches for a kamado or a large charcoal grill, where the coals sit deep and hot.
Are locking tongs better for grilling?
A lock does not change how tongs grip, but it makes them easier to store and hang. One-hand tab or pull-ring locks are the most convenient.
Should grill tongs have silicone tips?
Not usually. Bare stainless heads grip better on a grate and cannot melt. Silicone tips are for nonstick pans, which our kitchen tongs guide covers.
Can you use the same tongs for raw and cooked meat?
It is safer not to. Keep one pair for raw meat going onto the grill and a clean pair for cooked food coming off, or wash the tongs between the two.
What else do I need with grill tongs?
A wide spatula for burgers and fish, a glove, and something to clean the grate. See the best grill spatula and our grill tools guide for sets.
The grill tongs to start with
Related guide: Best bbq tool set.
Start with the OXO Outdoor Grilling Tongs if you want one pair that suits most grills. Pick the Cuisinart pair for a simple stainless pair at a lower cost, the Kamado Joe for a deep charcoal fire, or the Broil King if you want a spatula blade built in. Then put them to work on fajitas: our guide on how to eat fajitas covers the rest, and if you would rather someone else did the grilling, see the menu or call to order.