PanSpanAll Clad Tongs
Are the All-Clad stainless locking tongs the right choice for sturdy everyday cooking, or should I choose one of these alternatives?
For a sturdy, all-metal pair to use with stainless cookware, I’d choose the All-Clad 12-inch locking tongs: they’re dishwasher safe and heat safe up to 600°F. If you also cook with nonstick pans, the OXO set is the smarter buy because its nylon heads are safe for that cookware. The other sets give you different lengths or a second pair for serving and smaller jobs. The best choice depends on what you cook with and how the tongs feel in your hand.
#1 · All-Clad
All-Clad Stainless Steel 12-inch Locking Tongs, Kitchen Tools | Professional Stainless Steel Tools, Ergonomic handle Allows you to handle food with eases, Heat safe up to 600F
Choose these if you want the All-Clad match: one 12-inch pair of polished stainless steel locking tongs for everyday cooking, turning meat, and handling hot food. They’re the straightforward pick for a kitchen built around metal utensils and stainless cookware.
#2 · OXO
OXO Good Grips 2-Piece Tongs with Nylon Heads Set | Includes 12" & 9" Locking Tongs, Heat-Reistant and Safe for Non-Stick Cookware, Ideal for Cooking & Serving, Dishwasher Safe
Choose the OXO set if nonstick cookware or a more comfortable grip matters as much as having a metal tool. It gives you 9- and 12-inch tongs, soft nonslip grips, thumb rests, and nylon heads that won’t scratch nonstick surfaces.
#3 · KitchenAid
KitchenAid Set of 2 Stainless Steel Tongs with Scalloped Edges Easy Lock Dishwasher Safe Durable and Versatile 7 Inch and 9 Inch Silver
Choose KitchenAid if you want two stainless steel pairs in shorter lengths: the 7-inch tongs suit close-up jobs, while the 9-inch pair handles general cooking. Scalloped edges help grip food, and both pairs lock for storage.
#4 · Martha Stewart
Martha Stewart Richburn 2-Piece Stainless Steel Tongs Set – 12-Inch and 9-Inch Kitchen Tongs for Grilling, Serving, and Cooking
Choose the Martha Stewart set if you want the familiar 9- and 12-inch pairing in all stainless steel. It’s a practical way to keep one pair near the stove and another ready for serving or grilling.
#5 · Sur La Table
Sur La Table Kitchen Essential Steelhaus 8.5 Inch Stainless Steel Kitchen Tongs
Choose Sur La Table’s 8.5-inch tongs if you prefer one compact stainless pair rather than a two-piece set. The scalloped head and pull-tab lock make them a useful everyday tool when a longer reach isn’t your priority.
Do I need metal tongs for heavy meat?
For a single all-metal pair, I’d take the All-Clad: its 12-inch length gives useful reach, and its stainless construction suits regular work with steaks and other substantial portions. Grip meat close to its center rather than lifting from the very tip, which gives you better control. For a large roast or whole bird, use two tools or support the food underneath instead of asking one pair of tongs to do all the lifting.
Will metal tongs scratch my nonstick or enamel cookware?
They can, so I wouldn’t use the All-Clad, KitchenAid, Martha Stewart, or Sur La Table stainless heads against nonstick or delicate enamel. The OXO’s nylon heads are the clear choice for those pans, and its soft grips and thumb rests make it easier to hold securely. If you cook with both stainless and nonstick, keep the OXO set for coated cookware and use metal tongs elsewhere.
Should I buy one pair or a set?
If you mainly need a dependable stovetop tool, get the All-Clad single pair. For different jobs, the OXO or Martha Stewart sets include both 9- and 12-inch tongs; the OXO adds the advantage of nonstick-safe heads. Pick KitchenAid when you want the shortest pair here for close work, or Sur La Table when one compact 8.5-inch tool is enough.
Which tongs are easiest on a tired or weaker grip?
I’d choose the OXO for its soft, nonslip grips and thumb rests, which give your hand a more comfortable place to work. If hand fatigue is a concern, prioritize a secure, natural hold and use a shorter pair for jobs close to the pan; KitchenAid’s 7-inch tong is the shortest option here. Don’t buy based on a claim that one spring is softer unless you can judge the squeeze yourself.
How they compare
Which one is yours
All-Clad: You want one All-Clad, 12-inch stainless pair for metal cookware and everyday cooking.
OXO: You cook with nonstick pans, want soft grips and thumb rests, or need two lengths.
KitchenAid: You want two stainless pairs, especially a shorter 7-inch tool for close work.
Martha Stewart: You want two all-stainless pairs in the useful 9- and 12-inch combination.
Sur La Table: You prefer one compact 8.5-inch stainless pair with a locking tab.
You will also want
Tongs don’t need a special companion, but heat protection is useful when you’re moving hot cookware during the same cooking session.
5 PCS Pot Holders for Kitchen, Cotton Potholers with Great Heat Resistance, Hot Pads, Trivets for Cooking and Baking Black
Keep these cotton pot holders nearby for gripping hot pan handles while your tongs are busy turning food.
Silicone Trivets for Hot Pots and Pans - 2 Heat Resistant Pot Holders Silicone Trivet Mat Multipurpose Counter Pads (Black)
A silicone trivet gives you a landing spot for a hot pan or roasting dish while you transfer food with the tongs.
Questions buyers ask
Are the All-Clad tongs a good choice for steaks and roasts?
They’re a sensible all-metal choice for turning steaks and handling substantial portions during cooking. For a heavy roast or whole bird, use two tools or support it from underneath rather than relying on one pair of tongs at the edge of the food.
All-Clad or OXO tongs: which should I choose?
Choose All-Clad for a single stainless pair to use with metal cookware. Choose OXO if you need to protect nonstick pans or value its soft grips and thumb rests; its nylon heads are the cookware-friendly option.
Are All-Clad tongs worth choosing over a basic pair?
They’re worth choosing if you want a polished stainless-steel tool, a locking design, dishwasher-safe cleanup, and a 12-inch reach for frequent cooking. If you need two lengths or nonstick-safe heads, the OXO set fits more jobs.
How do I keep locking tongs from opening in a drawer?
Close the tongs fully and check that the lock has engaged before putting them away. If a drawer is crowded, store them where other utensils won’t catch the lock; hanging them is a useful alternative when the design allows it.
Are the All-Clad tongs dishwasher safe?
Yes. They’re dishwasher safe, and they’re also heat safe up to 600°F. If you use tongs on nonstick cookware, choose the OXO nylon-headed pair instead to avoid scratching the surface.
Which tongs are best for weak grip or hand fatigue?
The OXO set is my pick for a more comfortable hold because it has soft nonslip grips and thumb rests. Those features help with handling, but they don’t establish that its spring takes less effort to squeeze.