I recently shared my thoughts on the essential kitchen cutlery in a post here, which is the best place to start upgrading your chef skills. This week as I cooked a few meals, I thought about my second most used kitchen utensil – tongs. In recent years, I’ve relied more and more on a good set tongs and that’s why I’m recommending them as your next culinary upgrade.
First, my trusty go-to tongs are a pair of the 9″ silicon coated variety. There aren’t many meals I don’t use them, whether it’s to do a controlled rotation, to hold protein while cutting, or to add to my technique of searing the edges of a tuna steak. For just under $10, you can grab a pair on Amazon and you won’t be disappointed.
After you have a good set of go-to tongs, grab a pair of slightly larger 12″ tongs ($13 on Amazon). I prefer the stainless steel option as I use these mostly on the charcoal grill and don’t need the less accurate silicon coating. The extended length provides a bit more distance for your knuckles from grease flairs on the grill, which us men know, are hot. The metal tips help separate your food from the metal grate, but just keep them away from any coated surfaces in the kitchen.
So for about $20 you can add what I think are the most versatile tools for any man’s kitchen. Like anything you set out to accomplish, you’re only as good as the tools you use. As I dive around in my kitchen more, I’ll continue to add to this Kitchen Tools of the Trade section.
What are some of your favorite go-to items while channeling your inner Bobby Flay?