Tongs are among the most used and most overlooked kitchen tools. You can use tongs when flipping hot steaks, tossing salad, serving pastries, or plating with precision. Tongs give you control, hygiene, and safety without needing to touch the food. From cafés to catering gigs to home kitchens, tongs do more than just grab—they make your workflow smoother, reduce mess, and protect your hands and cookware.

At Industry Kitchens, we understand the essence of having the right tools for every task. Tongs are vital kitchen utensils that improve grip, control, and safety, especially in busy cooking.

But not all tongs are the same. Choosing the right type can make cooking easier, faster, and safer. This guide will show you how different tongs serve specific roles, what materials to look for, and which ones every commercial kitchen should have.



TL;DR: How Tongs Can Save You from Messy Meals

  • Tongs help you grip, flip, lift, and serve food safely without touching it—great for cooking and hygiene.

  • Different types (BBQ, salad, plating, and more) are designed for specific kitchen tasks.

  • Choosing the right material (stainless steel, silicone, nylon, wood) improves speed and safety and keeps cookware safe.



A chef holding a tong and pan.



What Are Tongs and Why Do They Matter in a Commercial Kitchen?

Tongs are a must in commercial kitchens. From restaurants to cafés and catering services, tongs help reduce direct food handling and improve hygiene. They also speed up prep and service. No matter the kitchen or cuisine, there's a tong made for the job. 



Top Uses of Tongs in the Kitchen

Tongs are used in almost every part of cooking and serving. Use BBQ tongs to flip meat on the grill or plating tongs to arrange dishes neatly. Serving tongs also make serving food at the table or buffet easier and cleaner.

Tongs help manage fragile pastries, baked goods, and even leafy vegetables in salads. They're also helpful for lifting steamed seafood or mixing salad greens. Whatever the job, there's a tong that makes it easier, safer, and cleaner.



A variety of tongs used in commercial kitchens



15 Different Types of Kitchen Tongs

There's a tong for every kitchen task. Choosing the right one helps you work faster and keeps things safe. Let's look at the most common types used in everyday kitchen use.

1. Utility Tongs

You've probably seen this before. These tongs are easy to use, and the curved ends help you grab food without dropping it. They are great for flipping, picking up, or serving.

2. Scissor Tongs

They work like scissors, with two arms connected by a pivot in the middle. The rounded grips make them comfy to hold and easy to control. These tongs are great for picking up salad greens, baked goodies, or serving food at the table.

3. Serving Tongs

They have wide, flat tips that make it easy to grab delicate foods without squeezing. They're perfect for handling cakes, pastries, or soft fruits. They're a go-to for dessert tables, buffets, or anytime you need a gentle touch.

4. Ice Tongs

They have small grips that make it easy to grab and move ice cubes without touching them. They are a staple in bars, drink stations, and anywhere else where hygiene and precision matter when serving drinks.

5. Salad Tongs

It has one spoon- and fork-shaped side, allowing users to serve salad quickly and neatly. It works flawlessly at salad bars, buffets, and catering events where guests help themselves.

6. Pasta Tongs

These tongs have slotted or textured grips that secure slippery noodles, preventing them from slipping away. Typically found in stainless steel or with silicone tips, they are ideal for pasta stations and bustling Italian kitchens.

7. Spaghetti Tongs

Similar to pasta tongs, they are designed particularly for long noodles. The serrated ends support grip and portion out spaghetti easily. This helps staff serve evenly and with less mess.

8. Barbecue Tongs / BBQ Tongs

They have extra-long hands and heat-resistant handles designed to withstand high temperatures. They are perfect for grilling outdoors, turning meats, or safely flipping burgers. They are also ideal for pubs and food trucks.

9. Plating Tongs / Precision Tongs

Professional chefs use these tongs to arrange micro spices, desserts, or high-end plates delicately. They are a must in fine-dining kitchens.

10. Silicone Tongs

They have silicone tips that are safe for nonstick surfaces. They won't scratch pans, and they're heat-resistant. They're best for kitchens that use nonstick cookware regularly.

11. Locking Tongs

They have a locking mechanism that holds them closed when not in use, helping to save space in busy kitchens or buffet lines.

12. Nylon Tongs

Some tongs might be tough, but Nylon tongs are light and gentle. They are best used on nonstick pans and for low-heat cooking or serving food.

13. Wooden Tongs

Delicate with food and cookware. It is often used for toast, baked goods, or sugar cubes. Adds a rustic touch and is convenient in bakeries or traditional-style cafés.

14. Pastry Tongs

These tongs have flat, wide grips that help lift delicate pastries without damaging them. They are mainly used for high-tea services, bakeries, and patisseries.

15. Pom Tongs

They have flat, square metal or plastic ends and slender arms. They are common in buffet lines for serving bread, cold cuts, or fruits. They are easy to clean and simple to use.

Each type of tongs has value in the hospitality industry. Matching the proper tongs to your daily kitchen needs improves efficiency, safety, and presentation.



A hand gripping a fish with scissor tongs.



Material Matters: Know the Differences

Not all tongs are the same. What your tongs are made of really makes a difference. Let's look at how materials differ.

  • Stainless steel tongs are most typically used in kitchens. They are sturdy, highly heat-resistant, and have a long lifespan. Stainless steel tongs are best for commercial kitchens, BBQs, and restaurants that need reliable cooking tongs daily.

  • Silicone tongs/silicone-tipped tongs combine a stainless steel body with soft silicone tips. They're gentle, heat-resistant, and perfect for delicate foods. They're often used with non-stick cookware in cafés, patisseries, or any kitchen.

  • Nylon Tongs are equipped with nylon-coated tips and are known for being lightweight and gentle on nonstick pans. They are best used at buffets, bakeries, or prep posts where food is not cooked at high heat.

  • Wooden Tongs are the standard for serving or toasting. They're made from basic materials like wood and feel warm and rustic. These tongs are best for bakeries, high-tea services, or cafés that want a warm, classic look with their food presentation.

A quick tip: You should select the proper material for your task, as it allows your team to work faster, safer, and cleaner. Stainless steel tongs are best for grilling. Nylon or wooden tongs are better for serving salad on a buffet. Always use silicone-tipped tongs when using nonstick cookware to save your pans.



Choosing the Right Tongs for the Task

Picking the perfect tongs may depend on your needs. 

  • For cooking duties, go for stainless steel tongs or silicone-tipped tongs.

  • Use nylon tongs or coated tongs for nonstick pans or delicate foods. 

  • When plating or holding small items, plating tongs, pastry tongs, or sugar tongs are most useful.

  • Using nonstick cookware? Choose silicone-tipped or nylon tongs to avoid scratches. Use plating or precision tongs for better control of delicate pastries or plating.

  • Serving tongs, pom tongs, or plastic tongs in self-serve or catering setups is ideal. 



Different kitchen tools hanging from hooks.



Cleaning and Caring for Your Tongs

The proper tongs help your team work faster and keep food safe, but also consider how to clean and care for them.

Dirty tongs can compromise food safety and delay your cooking. Cleaning and caring for them is easy. Regular maintenance will keep them working smoothly, even if they are stainless steel, silicone-tipped, or locking tongs. 

A clean pair of tongs will also keep your commercial kitchen hygienic. Let's find the best ways to clean, care for, and store your trusty kitchen tongs.

  • Wash with warm, soapy water.

  • Dry metal tongs quickly to stop rust.

  • Don't soak wooden tongs too long.

  • Check that the locking parts are working.

  • Look for cracks on silicone or nylon tips.



Conclusion

Tongs look simple, but they do a lot in the kitchen. Use them to flip steaks, toss salads, or plate desserts fast, safely, and with less mess. Tongs are helpful for more than grabbing food; they also help keep things clean, control portions, and protect cooking tools.

Getting the proper tongs for different jobs can improve your service if you own a café, restaurant, or catering business. Industry Kitchens offer various tongs designed for every task—helping your staff work efficiently, keep food looking professional, and make service run smoothly.



Frequently Asked Questions

What is the use of the tong tool?

Tongs' main job is to help you handle food safely. You don't have to use your fingers to hold anything hot or messy. Whether you are grilling or serving salad at a buffet, tongs make the process faster, cleaner, and considerably safer in the kitchen.

What is a tong used for in the laboratory?

In laboratories, tongs handle hot glassware such as beakers or flasks. They assist you in moving items securely without harming your hands. For example, in kitchens, lab tongs stop direct contact with heat or spills and help keep your work safe and clean.

What do you need tongs for?

Tongs act as an additional hand in the kitchen. They are used for flipping meat, serving hot dishes, managing pans, or carefully lifting delicate ingredients. They help you stay safe and keep things clean while cooking or plating. 

What were tongs, and what was their purpose?

Tongs have existed since ancient times, and the Egyptians have used them. Their primary aim has consistently been the same: to grasp, raise, and move items without scalding their hands or creating a mess.



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