Tongs

Kitchen tongs are invaluable for lifting, turning or moving food at high temperatures. As they grip, rather than pierce the food, no valuable juices are lost.

Spring Action Tongs

These tongs have arms that stay open until they are pressed together to squeeze them shut. Many chefs prefer this type of tong because of their positive action, and their ability to handle food at speed.

Look for stainless-steel tongs with a scalloped edge to help you to grip the food. There should also be a clip to keep the tongs closed for easy storage.

Scissor Action Tongs

These tongs work in the same way as a pair of scissors, with the cook manually opening and closing them as necessary. They have either pincer-like heads ideal for turning small pieces of food, or curved heads for picking up hot preserving jars and bottles. When buying this type of tong, choose a pair that has plastic-coated finger loops, as these will stay cool and be more comfortable to use than plain metal loops.