Prep Tools

Tongs

Spring-loaded grip — an extra heatproof pair of hands

Spring-loaded arms that grip, turn, and lift hot food with precision — your hands extended into the heat. Use them to flip steaks, toss pasta, and pull things off the grill. Look for a locking mechanism and a comfortable spring tension.

Tongs are spring-loaded arms that grip, turn, and lift hot food with precision — effectively your hands extended safely into the heat. They flip steaks, toss pasta, plate vegetables, and pull things off the grill faster and more confidently than a fork or spatula. The best are simple: good spring tension, scalloped tips, and a lock for storage.

Types & varieties

Stainless / scalloped-tip tongs

The workhorse — scalloped edges grip securely; fine for any pan but nonstick.

Silicone-tipped tongs

Heat-resistant soft tips that won't scratch nonstick pans or mar delicate food.

Long grilling tongs

30–40 cm to keep your hand well away from flame and coals.

Mini / plating tongs

Short, fine tongs for precise placement of garnishes and small items.

What makes a good pair

Test the spring — too stiff tires your hand, too loose loses grip. Scalloped, slightly cupped tips hold round and slippery food without crushing it. A pull-ring or twist lock that holds them shut is the difference between a tidy drawer and a tangle.

Medium spring tension, neither stiff nor floppy
Scalloped, cupped tips that grip without crushing
A reliable lock for compact storage
Silicone tips if you use them in nonstick pans

Common uses

Flipping steaks, chops, and chickenTossing pasta, noodles, and saladTurning and lifting food on the grillPlating and arranging cooked food neatlyLifting items out of boiling water or hot oilServing from a hot dish without burning your hands

Tips & pitfalls

Tongs are the most controlled way to flip a steak — squeeze, lift, turn, set down.
Use them to toss pasta with its sauce right in the pan for even coating.
Keep a long pair just for the grill so your hand stays away from the flames.
Don't bang them open to test the spring — it loosens over time; just squeeze gently.
Lock them closed before they go in the drawer or they'll snag on everything.