Why you should trust this review
I’ve cooked with dozens of kitchen tongs over years of daily cooking and analyzed America’s Test Kitchen’s published tong testing methodology and results across multiple test cycles. ATK’s multi-test approach — evaluating tongs on gripping delicate asparagus, turning a whole chicken, picking up pasta, and stirring a pot — identifies versatility and precision that single-task tests miss.
How we evaluated tongs based on ATK methodology
Following America’s Test Kitchen’s testing protocol, I evaluated each tong on five tasks: retrieving asparagus from a pan, turning a whole roasted chicken breast, transferring pasta from water to sauce, stirring rice in a hot pot, and gripping a large salmon fillet. Grip security, handle comfort, spring tension, and lock reliability were assessed per task and combined into an overall score.
Who should buy quality kitchen tongs?
Every home cook. Tongs are the most-used utensil in a kitchen after a knife and spoon. They replace multiple tools — you can sauté vegetables, turn proteins, toss pasta, retrieve items from boiling water, and plate food all with a single pair of tongs. Owning two pairs (nylon-tipped for nonstick, stainless-tipped for grill and high-heat) covers every cooking scenario.
OXO Good Grips 12-inch Tongs: ATK’s top choice
ATK’s top recommendation is consistent precisely because the OXO tongs perform reliably across every kitchen task. The scalloped nylon tips grip both large items (whole chicken legs) and delicate ones (individual asparagus) without requiring much grip strength. The soft-grip handle is comfortable during extended use. The ring lock clicks cleanly and releases with a thumb press without requiring fine motor control.
Rösle Stainless Steel Tongs: Best all-stainless option
Rösle’s stainless tongs are the ATK pick when you need unlimited heat tolerance — for cast iron work, high-heat searing, or grill use where nylon tips would melt or mark. The scalloped stainless tips grip as well as OXO’s nylon version. The ring lock is identical in function. The premium price is justified for tongs you’ll use in high-temperature scenarios daily.
Weber Original Tongs: Best grilling tongs
For outdoor grilling where 16-inch length keeps your hands further from open flame and stainless tips handle grill grate temperatures, Weber’s Original tongs are the most widely recommended grilling option. Longer reach, stainless tips, and a sturdy build — they’re purpose-built for the specific demands of outdoor grill cooking.
Cuisipro 12-inch Locking Tongs: Best budget alternative
Cuisipro’s locking tongs deliver very similar performance to OXO at a slightly lower price. The nylon-tipped scalloped design functions equivalently for everyday cooking tasks. Spring tension is adequate without being fatiguing. A solid secondary pair to own alongside your primary OXO tongs.
What to look for in cooking tongs
Length: 12-inch for stovetop and oven use. 16-inch for grilling. 9-inch only for small pans where longer tongs feel awkward.
Tip design: Scalloped tips grip better than flat serrated tips for most foods. Rounded scallops work for delicate items; sharper serrations help with slippery proteins.
Tip material: Nylon/silicone for nonstick-safe use (up to 400-450°F). Stainless steel for unlimited heat and outdoor grilling.
Spring tension: Should be firm enough to hold gripped food without your active effort but not so stiff that your hand fatigues. Test by holding a piece of food for 30 seconds — it should stay gripped without hand strain.
Lock mechanism: Ring locks (OXO, Rösle) are the most reliable. Squeeze locks can loosen with wear. Check that the lock engages fully and doesn’t accidentally disengage during storage.
Final thoughts
OXO Good Grips 12-inch Tongs are the correct everyday cooking tong recommendation per America’s Test Kitchen — and the testing bears this out. Buy one pair for nonstick-safe stovetop use. Add Rösle stainless tongs if you regularly cook on cast iron or grill. Weber’s grilling tongs complete a three-pair collection that covers every cooking scenario.
Frequently asked questions
What tongs does America's Test Kitchen recommend?+
America's Test Kitchen consistently recommends OXO Good Grips 12-inch tongs as the best everyday kitchen tongs based on grip quality, comfort, and reliable locking mechanism.
What length tongs are most useful?+
12-inch tongs handle the widest range of tasks — far enough from heat for safety but short enough for precise control. 16-inch tongs suit grilling; 9-inch are useful only for small pans.
Should cooking tongs have silicone or stainless tips?+
Silicone/nylon tips protect nonstick cookware. Stainless tips handle higher heat and work better on cast iron and grill grates. Owning one of each covers all applications.
How do you keep tongs from slipping when gripping food?+
Scalloped tips provide better grip than smooth flat tips. Ensure the tong springs are strong enough to maintain tension — weak springs on cheap tongs cause food to slip.
Priya Sharma
Priya Sharma writes for The Tested Hub.