You may have heard of these utensils before, but did you know there are different types of them? Tongs might appear to be simple, but they are applicable for a lot of things, starting from flipping burgers to moving ramekins from the oven to the countertop.
Whether you’re having a barbecue in your backyard or cooking a simple meal in the kitchen, this piece of cutlery will act as a great helper. Each of them has a unique style that is specially designed for certain occasions.
In this article, we break down all the different types of tongs available, so you can decide which one is best for your kitchen.
Read ahead to find out!
What Are the Different Types of Tongs?
Tongs have been around for decades, and they are still as useful as they were when they were first invented. Their versatility is what makes them a one of a kind kitchen tool that everybody should own.
Here are all the different kinds of tongs that are great for any food spaces:
- Utility Tongs
This is the most common type as they are not constrained to one single task. It is suitable for a number of things, for instance, stirring edible things and lifting hot bowls. Although they are usually made of metal, some of them have a silicone tip to avoid any damages to non-stick pots and pans.
- Barbecue Tongs
An 18-inch long metal tong which aids you while flipping steaks and burgers on a grill. Some of them have holes to allow oil or water to pass through. They are made of metal or aluminum with silicone tips to be able to resist heat. So say goodbye to burnt fingers!
- Pasta Tongs
These long and flat tongs are perfect for grabbing, stirring, and transferring strings of pasta without ruining them.
It can be tricky to serve pasta using anything but tongs. As a matter of fact, this is what all professional chefs use when they are serving pasta. However, do not try these in any other cooking endeavors, or else it will easily wear out.
- Pom Tongs
Consider this an invaluable kitchen tool when it comes to handling delicate items such as salad. They have a spoon on one side and a fork on the other to ease the process of transferring. These types of tongs are made out of wood or plastic as they rarely come in contact with heat.
- Scissor Tongs
Best at holding hot containers or a large thing like corn, but they do not come in handy when you’re turning something. You have little or no control when you’re dealing with vegetables with long roots or sausages.
- Ice Tongs
The title gives away its role – it is used to efficiently transfer ice cubes from a bucket to a glass. It is strictly used for this purpose because it fails to do its job when used in other situations. You have probably seen them in fancy restaurants and hotels.
Small Tongs
A favorite among restaurant chefs as it ensures precision and detailing when they are decorating plates. Moving small elements of food is very hard to mess up. These tongs give you the confidence you need to give final touches to your dish.
- Can Tongs
Are you having trouble removing fragile stuff such as jellies and tiny pieces of fruit from boiling hot water? Can tongs are just the thing for you! Their appearance is somewhat different than regular tongs. They are half-moon shaped and insulated to prevent you from burning your fingers.
Bamboo Tongs
This one is a specialty of Japanese restaurants where the customers are provided with hot towels. But they can also be used to serve appetizers at a party. They last a long time and can be recycled.
- Buffet Tongs
These are triangular shaped to allow customers in buffet restaurants or banquets so they can pick up the food from a dish and put it on their plate.
- Snail Tongs
A special tool is designed to get a firm grip on the shell of a snail because they are difficult to grab with other utensils. Snail tongs make it easier to remove the meat from the shell.
What to Consider before Buying Tongs?
When you go to a kitchenware store, you will find a variety of tongs that come in different shapes, sizes, and uses. It can be a little confusing to know which one can serve your purposes.
This is why we have listed five factors to consider before buying tongs:
- Length
Try to look for a pair of tongs that you are comfortable holding. A long one provides more stability and helps to reach into places. It is mostly used for grilling and deep-frying. On the other hand, a shorter one is used on stovetops and for ice buckets.
- Locking Mechanism
On a busy day, when you’re trying to multitask in the kitchen, having a tong with a lock mechanism can prove to be very beneficial. You can use them even when one of your hands is holding something else. The tong should only unlock when it is pointed downwards and squeezed.
- Head
Not all tongs are engineered with the same material. Some are made of metal, while others are made of silicone.
Solid stainless steel is durable, as well as sterile. It lets you grab items without slipping off, which is the most important job of tongs. The silicon ones are ideal for non-stick pans, but they cannot withstand high temperatures.
- Shape of the Handle
Typically, there are two types of handle shapes – spring and scissors. The scissor can be difficult to maneuver, which is why most people prefer the spring one.
Moreover, you are not required to exert too much pressure on the spring ones. Simply move your hand forward or backward, depending on how much force you want to apply in order to grab the food.
- Hanging
A lot of people hang their utensils on the wall or cabinet instead of storing them in the drawer. If you’re one of those people, don’t forget to check if your tongs have a loop at the end so they can be hung.
Get Tongs for Your Kitchen Today!
How can you resist buying a handy tool like this? It makes flipping, turning, plating, and serving so much fun and easier. Besides, each of them has a unique style that is specially designed for particular occasions.
Even the most expensive tongs might fail to perform their functions. Keeping all these instructions in your mind will save you a lot of time when you’re choosing among the different types of tongs.
No more hampering yourself with spatulas and forks. It is about time you get an upgrade on that.