7 Best Barbecue Tongs | Scorched Hands Anonymous

Check Price on Amazon

One blade is flat like a spatula — so you can slide under a stubborn burger without having it pull apart.

This is the most creative tip design in the group. One blade has a standard scalloped edge for gripping food, while the other is completely flat, acting like a thin spatula. Buyers report it is “excellent for grabbing large cuts like pork butts and briskets; handles 10+ lbs easily,” which is a lot of meat for a single tool. The stainless steel construction feels tight, with no play at the end, and the silicone grip stays cool to the touch.

The locking mechanism uses a pull-ring design that has a slightly awkward feel — you have to pull back the handle in a specific motion to lock it shut. The handle interior is also open, which means you might need a sprayer to blast out food debris after a greasy cookout. Despite those quirks, the dual-blade design replaces a spatula for most tasks, making this a very versatile single tool.

Check Price on Amazon

A two-pack that gives you a kitchen-sized 12-incher and a full-length 17-inch griller for less than a single premium tong.

This set delivers surprising heft for the price. The stainless steel is heavy-duty, and the silicone grips are rated to handle up to 600°F without melting. The thing that wins people over is the durability — the consensus from owners is that they are “super heavy duty” and show no rust or wear after repeated use. The locking mechanism uses a pull-ring that clicks into place securely and is easy to release with a thumb.

The 12-inch pair is ideal for the air fryer, stovetop, or casual serving, while the 17-inch keeps your hands safe over the coals. The scalloped heads grip well, and both are dishwasher safe. The only minor complaint is that the grab ends are rounded rather than pointed, so very large pieces of meat like a whole brisket can feel slightly less secure than with a wide-jawed alternative.

Check Price on Amazon

Two identical 17-inch tongs for the price of one premium model, built sturdy enough for the smoker.

These tongs earn their reputation on weight and reach. They are noticeably heavier than most budget options, and the 17-inch length makes them a natural fit for deep smokers and large grills where you need to reach to the back without leaning into the heat. The silicone grips are rated to 500°F, and the scalloped steel heads give a solid grip on ribs and pork shoulders. Owners consistently note they feel “heavy duty for sure” and appreciate having two identical pairs — one for raw meat, one for cooked, to prevent cross-contamination.

The locking mechanism uses a pull-ring, which works smoothly and keeps the tongs secure in the drawer. The only downside mentioned is that the rounded grabbing ends are less effective at gripping smaller, delicate vegetables compared to pointed-tip tongs. If your grilling is mostly large cuts of meat, the extra length and dual-pair setup make these a smart value buy.

Check Price on Amazon

A well-machined two-pack with flat edges that pry food off the grate as well as they hold it.

The Kona tongs have a distinct design advantage: the jaws are flat along the top, which helps you slide under a stuck piece of chicken or burger without shredding it. This is the same principle as the Broil King, but done with a more traditional scalloped pattern on the bottom jaw. The construction is solid end to end, with a smooth locking slider that buyers describe as “amazing to use compared to ordinary tongs.” The 17-inch length is generous, and the all-metal build (no silicone grips) means there is no grip to slip off over time.

Because there is no silicone or plastic on the handles, these are fully dishwasher safe and can be sterilized over the grill fire. The only minor complaint is that the lack of a padded grip can feel a bit cold or slippery with wet hands. For a two-pack at a mid-range price, the Kona offers excellent longevity.

Check Price on Amazon

A professional-quality set that one owner with 45 years of cooking calls her absolute favorite kitchen tool.

This pair focuses on kitchen precision rather than long-reach grilling. The 9-inch and 12-inch lengths are perfect for air fryers, skillets, and serving platters. The stainless steel is noticeably thick — buyers who had given up on “dishwasher safe” tongs that fell apart at the rivet found these hold up through repeated wash cycles. The scalloped heads grip securely, and the pull-tab locking mechanism is a simple sliding eye-loop that clicks into place.

The main compromise is that at 12 inches max, these are not the right tool for a large grill or smoker where you need to stay far from the heat. They excel on a stovetop or for food that is already off the grate. The build quality is excellent for the price, and owners consistently say they won’t bend or rust.

Check Price on Amazon

Traeger’s own tongs that survived a whole winter outside without a speck of rust — that is a solid test.

This is the 2025 model from Traeger, and the build quality matches the reputation of their grills. The 16.5-inch length keeps your hands out of the heat, and the scalloped head provides a secure grip on ribs and roasts. Owners who left these outdoors through a brutal winter report they didn’t rust, which speaks to the quality of the stainless steel. The locking mechanism gets mixed feedback, however — while some find it secure and satisfying, a number of owners mention it doesn’t always stay in the locked position during storage.

For anyone already in the Traeger ecosystem, this tong fits the aesthetic and quality of the brand. The handle loop is convenient for hanging next to the grill. If you need a tool that is locked 100% of the time in the drawer, the OXO or Eddeas are more reliable in that specific aspect.