<http://schema.org/articleBody>
" My wife and I just bought our first house, and one of the things I&amp;#039;m looking forward to most is grilling outside. Don&amp;#039;t tell my dog (or my wife), but I&amp;#039;ve found a new backyard best friend: tongs. To me, tongs are the most versatile tool out there, and they&amp;#039;ve saved me from having to buy a pricey grill set. From setup to serving, tongs are a necessity. I have a sturdy pair that I use to shift coals, pick up grates, and move things that are too hot to handle. I use them to flip burgers, steaks and corn cobs because they offer more control than a spatula, although more delicate foods like fish fillets should be turned with the latter. Forget grill forks that pierce holes, and pick a pair of tongs that have a soft gripping edge that won&amp;#039;t mar your meat.  I keep one set marked with red tape, so that I know they&amp;#039;ve been in contact with raw meat. I keep a second pair (marked with green tape) close by to pick up the cooked meat and serve my hungry guests. If you don&amp;#039;t feel like splurging on a second pair, you can also simply wash the tongs to prevent cross-contamination.  When purchasing tongs, look for a pair that is long, which will prevent you from burning your hands as you reach across the grill, and spring-loaded for easy operation. Make sure the pair is comfortable and controllable in your hand. And keep your tongs handy even after grilling season has cooled down; they&amp;#039;re great for taking potatoes and other vegetables out of the oven.  I love the Oxo Good Grips Tongs, $14.99. They&amp;#039;re easy to use, 18-inches long, and they can be locked shut by pulling a tab. Grill to perfection and keep cleanup easy See our 10 tips for safe summer grilling. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/institute/a22876/grill-tongs/?src=shelter_footer>