In this case, shorter is better! ~Oxo Good Grips 9 Inch Tongs~
Written: Dec 16 '06 (Updated Dec 16 '06)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Shorter length ideal for cooking and serving pasta; comfortable trip; locking mechanism.
Cons: too short for frying
The Bottom Line: Must have for anyone who cooks/serves lots of spaghetti and/or noodle soups.
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| pilarzmom's Full Review: Oxo Good Grips 9 inch Tongs With Nylon Heads 10546... |
Many people have tongs to use when frying foods or serving salads. I, however, use them primarily while I cook pasta such as spaghetti and make noodle soups for my husband. I had a cheap, but efficient pair of bamboo ones for this purpose, but after my mother-in-law decided to break them to use them like chopsticks, I went out to get something a bit sturdier. I chose the OXO Good Grips 9 inch Tongs with Nylon Tips.
Product Details
These tongs are made of stainless steel and of course, feature a nice Good Grips Santoprene rubber grip that makes these their kitchen tools so comfortable and easy to use. This grip extends about 4 inch down each side of the tongs. The nylon heads have the same scalloped edge as the regular stainless steel models. However, they won't damage your non-stick cookware. They're also a bit safer around children (should this be a concern) as they don't have a sharp edge.
At the base of the tongs you'll see a Santoprene locking mechanism. To unlock, merely push in and then pull out to re-lock. The tongs open to 4 inches wide. The locking mechanism also has a hole in it so you can hang from a rack if desired.
I hand wash this kitchen tool usually but on occasion I will also wash it in the dishwasher if I actually use it to serve pasta with sauce on it, such as the spaghetti carbonara I made the other night. It survives the heat of the dishwasher just fine.
Actual usage
I find these tongs very comfortable and easy to hold. For cooking and serving pasta these shorter tongs are ideal. The spring in them is strong, but not so strong that it makes them jump out of my hands like cheaper made tongs. When I cook my pasta I use these tongs to stir the water to move the pasta around and prevent sticking. After draining, it's a cinch to serve the spaghetti neatly into a bowl or onto a serving plate. The nylon head doesn't cut through the pasta but at the same time it does grip onto in nicely and makes the sometimes cumbersome process of serving long pasta much easier.
For Ramen noodle soups these tongs are a lifesaver. Many Asians like my husband like their Ramen noodles to be served more like a soup with lots of liquid and not drained like I prefer them. I used to end up with a mess on the counter as the liquid and noodles all came flying out of the pan and splashing into the bowl (okay, I'm a bit of a klutz). Now I grasp onto the noodles with the tongs and neatly pour the liquid out and place the noodles in the liquid without creating a mess.
I don't fry much food, but I did test these tongs out when frying bacon recently. They did just fine in terms of standing up to the heat and grasping onto the bacon, but if I were one to do a lot of this type of cooking, I'd go for the longer 12 inch tongs which Oxo has (also with nylon tips).
The locking mechanism has also turned out to be a great feature. I had an old pair of metal tongs that took up so much space in my drawer since they didn't have a lock. I finally got smart and tossed them.
Final Thoughts
The OXO Good Grips 9 Inch Tongs with Nylon Heads are a must-have for anyone who cooks a lot of pasta and noodles, or is perhaps looking for a nice everyday pair of serving tongs. While I could have opted for longer tongs, I find these a bit easier to hold than the longer ones. I'm always pleased with the comfort of OXO kitchen tools and these tongs prove to be no different that the other OXO tools in my possession. I'm also happy that they won't damage my non-cookware and I can feel safe with them in the hands of my kids. 5 stars!
Purchasing Info
I purchased these for $8.99 at my local grocery store. The 12-inch ones were only a dollar more. Still, a great tool for under $10!
Recommended:
Yes
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