Buying guide for best grilling gloves

We tell our children not to touch a hot stove, yet as adults we're constantly using our unprotected hands to execute quick tasks when grilling. Nudging a hotdog with your finger and trying to quickly adjust the charcoal with a stick that you’re holding in your bare hand are dangerous activities. With the affordability of a quality pair of grilling gloves, there is absolutely no reason to engage in this type of risky behavior.

The best grilling gloves not only provide you with more than adequate protection from the heat, but they also fit comfortably and are flexible so you can remain dexterous while working. Grilling gloves that have textured fingers make it easier to hold onto items that otherwise might slip from your grasp.

There are two basic types of grilling gloves, those that protect you from dry heat and those that protect you from wet heat. Using the wrong type of glove can be dangerous because it won’t provide adequate protection.

Key considerations

There's no denying that it's dangerously hot when working near a grill, but not all heat is the same. Grilling gloves that are designed to do a great job of protecting your hands from dry heat will not protect your hands from wet heat. In the following sections, we discuss this in a little more detail to help you determine which type of grilling gloves you need. Some individuals prefer to have both available.

Dry heat

Dry heat is what radiates off the coals and transfers to other items like pans, tools, and the grill itself. Grilling gloves that you wear to hold tools and adjust the grill are manufactured using leather or woven heat-resistant knitted fabric.

• Leather: These grilling gloves protect your hands well and are versatile, but they aren’t designed to handle food. On the downside, leather gloves are hard to clean, require a great deal of care, and can stiffen up and become awkward to use over time.
• Fabric: These grilling gloves are highly flexible, allowing you to more easily perform a wide range of grilling tasks. Most knitted gloves also feature some kind of silicone coating on the fingers for better gripping power. These gloves are typically machine washable, but they cannot be used to handle food. Additionally, if knitted gloves are used while wet or damp, instead of protecting you from the heat, they will draw it directly to your hands.

Wet heat

If you need to pick up a large brisket or rack of ribs, you need grilling gloves that won't lose their effectiveness when they get wet with grease or steam. Food-grade silicone or neoprene grilling gloves are waterproof, so you can handle foods directly without fear of hot grease or steam seeping through and burning your hands. Additionally, these grilling gloves are easy to clean — most silicone gloves are dishwasher safe, and both neoprene and silicone gloves can be washed while you’re wearing them, like washing your hands, and hung up to dry. The downside is that these gloves can be cumbersome, making it a little more difficult to perform tasks that require a degree of dexterity.

Grilling glove features

After determining which type of grilling glove is best for your particular needs, there are a few more elements to consider.

Size

Some manufacturers make one-size-fits-all grilling gloves. These may be acceptable if you have hands of average size, but individuals with larger or smaller hands might want to purchase grilling gloves that are sized to fit.

• Length: The longer the sleeve, the more protected your arms. Unfortunately, the downside is that longer gloves tend to be a little more cumbersome.

Material

• Heat resistance: Obviously, when you’re cooking with fire, you want as much protection as possible. However, if you're never going to be grilling at temperatures over 500ºF, do you really need a grilling glove that can handle temperatures over 900ºF? Don't worry. There is no right or wrong answer. The only bad choice you can make is to purchase grilling gloves that can't handle the temperatures you usually grill at.
• Flexibility: All grilling gloves inhibit your movement to some degree. The best pair of grilling gloves, however, allow you to perform tasks while retaining the maximum amount of dexterity.
• Texture: Grilling gloves with textured fingers help ensure that you won’t be constantly dropping hot items when you’re trying to grill.
• Durability: Look for grilling gloves that boast good durability. Any tears or split seams, even the smallest ones, can invite a painful burn.

Extras

• Loop: Some grilling gloves have a built-in loop or another method of hanging for storage. If this sounds like something you would use, look for a pair that has this feature.
• Bundle: As a purchasing incentive, some manufacturers include additional items with the grilling gloves. This can seem attractive if you’re just starting out, but the quality of these free items can be mediocre.

Grilling glove prices

There's not a very wide range when it comes to grilling glove prices. Bear in mind that some manufacturers do not sell grilling gloves in pairs. It can be upsetting to pay $20 and think you’re getting a pair and only one glove arrives. Read the product's description fully to be sure this doesn't happen to you.

Inexpensive: For under $10 you can get a budget pair that may not be as durable or as flexible as you’d like.

Mid-range: If you spend $10 to $20, you'll be able to find a decent pair of grilling gloves that provide sufficient protection and are flexible enough to allow you to easily perform all of your grilling tasks. Some of the grilling gloves in this price range are part of a set that may include purchasing incentives like a free apron or meat claws.

Expensive: Even the higher-end gloves only cost $20 to $30. These may be longer and more durable, so you get better protection and a longer lifespan.

Tips

Because what you use grilling gloves for, they are going to get dirty. If grease builds up on knitted grilling gloves, hot spots can develop. You can either learn to take care of your grilling gloves or keep buying new pairs. If you opt to take care of them, here are a few useful tips to help you get the longest life out of your grilling gloves.

• Wash the gloves in the machine. If your grilling gloves are labelled as machine washable, take advantage of this and give them a proper cleaning.
• Use regular detergent. Any added chlorine or fabric softener could damage the gloves, so it's best to refrain from using detergents with these types of additives.
• Don't wait. The longer a stain sits, the harder it is to remove. Clean your grilling gloves as soon as possible after use or immediately if you get a big, greasy stain.
• Use a prewash stain remover. If your knitted gloves develop stubborn stains, using a dab of prewash stain remover may do the trick.
• Use tap water and soap. For neoprene or silicone gloves, all you need to do is wash them under running water with soap while you’re wearing them.
• Air-dry the gloves. After washing the grilling gloves, the best way to dry them is by hanging them up and letting them air-dry. Remember, if you use your grilling gloves while they’re still damp, their effectiveness may be greatly diminished.

Other products we considered

Maybe the grilling gloves we've listed elsewhere in this article come close but aren’t quite what you need. That's okay. We've got a few more quality items that might be the perfect match. The OZERO Leather Welding Gloves offer remarkable protection when grilling, up to 932°F. The 5.5-inch extended sleeves keep your forearms safe from open flames and unexpected flare-ups. The Grill Armor Gloves Extreme Heat-Resistant Oven Gloves are specifically sized for individuals with smaller hands. These durable, machine-washable gloves can also protect your hands up to 932°F. The final items on our list of honourable mention grilling gloves are the extra-long suede Steven Raichlen Best of Barbecue's Grill Gloves. This top-rated company is offering a durable pair of pliable gloves that provide protection all the way up to your elbows.

The best way to remove grilling gloves is to gently pinch the fingertips and gradually slide the glove off your hand so that the interior lining remains in place.

FAQ

Q. Do I really need grilling gloves? Can't I just use tongs?
A. Yes, you can use tongs, but you should still wear grilling gloves while using them. The heat from the grill will still cook your hands as you use tongs, so you could be tempted to work quickly, which can cause accidents or slips. Also, there might be times when you’re working with a large brisket that can't be effectively picked up by tongs. Besides, isn't the whole reason you grill so you can relax? It's hard to be chill when your hands are burning!

Q. I wear grilling gloves, but I burn my fingertips when moving meat. Does that mean the gloves are faulty?
A. Grilling gloves aren't meant to be used for extended periods of time because eventually the heat will transfer through even the best pair of gloves. You need to pay attention to that gradual warming, so you know when to take a break. Also, if you squeeze the meat (or any hot item) with a good bit of pressure, that will accelerate the heat transfer and cause your fingertips to burn much more quickly. Always hold hot items securely with two hands, but try not to squeeze anything too tightly.

Q. How much heat protection should my grilling gloves provide?
A. That depends on the temperature of your grill. There are some grilling gloves that provide extreme heat protection and are rated to withstand heat up to 900°F and higher. However, most grilling is done between 300°F and 500°F, so if that's as hot as you’ll ever go, you only need grilling gloves that are rated to withstand heat to a little over 500°F.