barbecue cutlery

Long-handled tongs, a carving fork and a sturdy spatula cover much of the work around a grill, and barbecue cutlery brings those tools together for cooks serving food outdoors. The long reach helps keep hands away from heat, while tongs make it easier to turn pieces without piercing them. A set can also make it simpler to move grilled food from the cooking surface to a platter. By our assessment, its value depends less on the number of pieces than on whether the handles feel secure and the tools suit the foods being cooked. Metal tools can be heavy, and long handles take up more storage space than ordinary kitchen utensils. They are not a substitute for heatproof gloves or careful handling near an open flame. Compared with repurposing kitchen cutlery, dedicated barbecue tools are shaped for reaching across a hot grate. The drawer still needs room for their length.