Tongs are the tool that gets used most and cleaned least. They sit on a hot grate, get wiped on a cloth, and go back in the drawer. Six months later the hinge is stiff and there are rust spots where the grip meets the steel. Learning how to clean BBQ tongs properly is what keeps the hinge free and the steel spotless.
Cleaning them properly takes about three minutes after a cook and twenty minutes once a season. Here is the routine, plus what to do when the rust has already started.
Key takeaways
- Wash while the grate is still warm, not after the fat has set.
- Clean the hinge and the seam under the grip — that is where rust starts.
- Dishwasher is fine, but only if the grip drains.
- Surface rust comes off; pitting does not.
How to clean BBQ tongs in three minutes after every cook
- Wipe while warm. A paper towel takes off most of the grease before it sets. This one step saves the most effort later.
- Wash in hot water with a soft sponge. Washing-up liquid is enough. Abrasive pads scratch the surface and give rust somewhere to grip.
- Open and close the hinge under the tap. Water and grease collect inside the hinge. Work it open and shut a few times so the water runs through and out.
Then dry them properly. Air drying leaves water in the hinge and under the grip, which is exactly where you do not want it.
Baked-on grease: the soak that works
For heavy carbonised fat, soak in hot water with a spoon of washing-up liquid and a spoon of baking soda for fifteen minutes. Not overnight — long soaks do nothing extra and let water sit in the hinge.
Avoid oven cleaner on tongs. The chemicals attack the passive layer that keeps stainless steel stainless, and you have to rinse them far more thoroughly than the label suggests.
Why stainless steel still rusts
Stainless means stain-resistant, not stain-proof. Four things cause rust on tongs that are supposedly stainless:
| Cause | What it looks like |
| Water trapped in the hinge | Rust at the pivot only |
| Salt and acidic marinade left on | Speckled spots along the tines |
| Abrasive pads wearing the surface | Dull patches that discolour first |
| Stored wet in a closed drawer | Rust over the whole body |
All four are storage problems rather than quality problems, which is good news: they are easy to prevent.
Can tongs go in the dishwasher?
Yes, on a normal cycle, with two conditions. The grip must have somewhere for water to drain, and the basket should not be right above the heating element. A pair with a sealed silicone grip will hold water in the seam and drip it back onto the steel.
If you use the dishwasher, open and close the hinge once after the cycle and leave the tongs out to dry fully.
Storing them so they last
- Hang them rather than lying them flat in a drawer.
- Keep them out of the grill cover. A cover holds humidity against the metal.
- Store long tongs folded, not compressed at the hinge.
- If the tongs have a locking ring, leave it open so the spring is not under tension for months.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I remove rust from BBQ tongs?
For surface rust, rub with a paste of baking soda and water, then rinse and dry fully. If the rust has eaten into the metal and left pits, it will come back — that pair is finished.
Can I put silicone-handled tongs in the dishwasher?
Generally yes, but check the grip. If the silicone forms a closed sleeve with no drain, water sits inside it. Those are better washed by hand.
My tongs smell of old grease. What now?
It is usually the hinge or the seam under the grip. Soak in hot water with a little vinegar for ten minutes, work the hinge, then dry thoroughly.
How often should I replace BBQ tongs?
A stainless pair with a clean hinge lasts years. Replace when the spring loses tension or the hinge becomes rough, rather than waiting for the metal to fail.
Bottom line
Most tongs fail in the hinge, not on the tines. Wipe while warm, work the hinge under water, dry properly and store them hanging. That routine keeps a pair going for years.
Our tongs with drainage holes are built with an open hinge that drains, and the silicone-handle set has a grip designed not to hold water. Both are on the BBQ tongs page.
If you are still deciding which pair to buy, the comparison of stainless steel and silicone tongs covers grip, heat and coated pans. The same routine works across the whole kit — see how to clean and store BBQ tools.
