Which grilling gloves are best?
Burning your hand while trying to grill a delicious meal for your friends and family can ruin your whole weekend. Thankfully, you can now find well-made grilling gloves to avoid just that problem. Not only should a good pair of grilling gloves be thick and durable, but they should also be flexible and pliable, so you can focus all your attention on grilling that delicious food.
If you’re ready for a new set of grilling gloves, read our buying guide. Our top pick, Jolly Green Products’ Ekogrips BBQ Oven Gloves, are slip-proof, so you can be sure they’ll stay on in even the most hectic grilling environment.
What to know before you buy grilling gloves
Dry heat vs. wet heat
When choosing a set of grilling gloves, you first need to determine whether you’re using them to protect against dry heat or wet heat. Dry heat is the heat that comes off the coals of a grill and is transferred to other items, such as pans and grilling tools. Wet heat, on the other hand, is the heat that comes from contact with wet substances, such as hot grease or steam. Dry heat gloves won’t protect against wet heat, and vice versa. If you want to protect yourself against both, purchase two separate sets of grilling gloves.
- Dry-heat gloves: Grilling gloves that protect against dry heat are usually made from either leather or fabric. Leather gloves are versatile but not intended for handling food. They can also be difficult to clean and become stiff over time. Fabric grilling gloves are very flexible and usually include a silicone fingertip coating. They’re often machine washable, though, like leather gloves, they’re not meant for handling food.
- Wet-heat gloves: Wet-heat grilling gloves are usually made from food-grade silicone or neoprene. These are waterproof and intended for handling hot foods. They’re also easy to clean and often are dishwasher-safe. Because they protect against direct contact with hot food, they can be a little bit stiff.
Size
While a lot of grilling gloves are designed as one-size-fits-all, other models come in small, medium, and large sizes. Keep in mind that the longer the cuff of the glove is, the more protection you have against heat from your grill.
Heat resistance
Manufacturers usually include measures of heat resistance on their gloves. Think about the temperature at which you usually grill when determining what level of protection you need from the heat. Most are graded to protect up to about 500 degrees.
Flexibility
Try to find the best balance between protection and flexibility when choosing your grilling gloves. You don’t always have to sacrifice dexterity in favor of safety, so compare gloves before choosing.
Texture
Wet heat grilling gloves that include textured fingers are preferable to those with smooth fingers. Textured fingers on a grilling glove make it far easier to grip wet food items in a hurry.
Durability
Durability is one of the most important aspects of any grilling glove because it doesn’t only impact convenience, but safety. Any split or seam in a grilling glove could expose your hands to dangerously high temperatures.
What to look for in quality grilling gloves
Loop
Some grilling gloves include built-in loops for hanging and storage. This makes for easy access whenever you’re in the mood to grill.
Bundle
Some companies include other items when you purchase their grilling gloves. Many times, these bundle packages include items such as grilling tools or even a barbecue apron.
How much you can expect to spend on grilling gloves
Most grilling gloves cost between $10 and $30. $10 grilling gloves are budget models that aren’t as durable or flexible as more expensive options. For $20, you can find more rugged gloves for both dry and wet heat. If you spend $30, expect to get the most durable grilling gloves with longer cuffs.
Grilling gloves FAQ
How much protection against heat will my grilling gloves give me?
A. The answer depends on how hot your grill is. Some gloves are designed to protect up to 900 degrees. However, the majority of grilling gloves are rated for heat of up to about 500 degrees.
Can’t I just use tongs instead of grilling gloves?
A. You can, though you’re at a higher risk for burns. The best option is to both use grilling gloves as well as tongs. This gives you the versatility to cook with your hands over the grill for long periods without too much heat exposure.
What are the best grilling gloves to buy?
Top grilling gloves
Jolly Green Products’ Ekogrips BBQ Oven Gloves
What you need to know: A durable and dishwasher-safe set of gloves for everyday grilling use.
What you’ll love: Protects up to 425°. Lifetime replacement warranty. Extra-long cuff design.
What you should consider: Some users complained that the gloves absorb object heat after some time.
Top grilling gloves for the money
What you need to know: These are surprisingly durable gloves for such a reasonable price.
What you’ll love: They are made of BPA-free silicone and are heat resistant up to 446 degrees F. They also have a comfortable, cotton-insulated interior.
What you should consider: Some found the gloves to be too rigid for their liking.
Worth checking out
What you need to know: These long-lasting gloves can take a lot of heat.
What you’ll love: These gloves’ bright fluorescent color makes them hard to lose. They have a nonslip grip and are thick, yet flexible.
What you should consider: The cuffs are short.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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