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Tending to bonfires or outdoor fireplaces requires a set of fire pit tongs up to the task. These handy tools typically measure between 26 and 40 inches long, allowing you to pick up logs, position them inside the fire, and stoke burning firewood while keeping your hands and arms safe from the flames. Fire pit tongs are made from durable materials like steel and aluminum and come in pincer and scissor designs. In this guide, learn what to look for when shopping for this fire pit accessory and find out why the models below are the best fire pit tongs around.
- BEST OVERALL: CKLT 40-Inch Heavy-Duty Fire Tongs
- RUNNER-UP: Kabin Fire Tongs
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Stanbroil Outdoor Campfire Tongs
- UPGRADE PICK: Solo Stove Fire Pit Tools
- BEST SET: EasiBBQ Campfire Poker Stick and Tongs
- MOST CONTROL: Rocky Mountain Goods Firewood Tongs
- ALSO CONSIDER: Skyflame Heavy-Duty Log Grabber
How We Chose the Best Fire Pit Tongs
We considered several factors when selecting the top fire pit tongs to include in this guide. A reliable set of fire pit tongs should safely support logs up to 8 to 10 pounds. To ensure the tongs won’t bend under such weight, all our selections are made from heavy-gauge steel, stainless steel, or aluminum.
We also looked at the length of the fire pit tongs along with build quality. The models we chose are at least 26 inches long, ensuring that you can stand safely away from the fire while using them to turn burning firewood or add logs. We also paid careful attention to design, choosing tongs with curved ends and teeth that make it easier to pick up firewood. Finally, our selections include budget-priced tongs if you don’t want to spend a lot of money and higher-end models if you are equipping your fire pit with something more heavy duty.
Our Top Picks
Our list of the top fire pit tongs includes steel, stainless steel, and aluminum models with designs that make it easy to safely grab pieces of firewood.
Pros
- Made from powder-coated manganese steel, which is durable and resists rust
- Ample 40-inch length protects your hands while you add logs to a burning fire
- Rubber handles make tongs easier to grip and add heat protection
Cons
- Heavier overall weight can make them cumbersome for some
Product Specs
- Material: Powder-coated manganese steel
- Length: 40 inches
- Weight: 4.34 pounds
CKLT’s fire tongs set themselves apart from the rest with their heavy-duty construction of heavy-gauge manganese steel. While this adds a bit to the weight of these log tongs, it also means they’ll hold up to intense heat and the pressure of carrying heavier logs while being less likely to rust if accidentally left outside.
Serrated jaws make it easier to grab onto wood, while the 40-inch length keeps your hands safely away from the flames when adding logs to the fire or adjusting those already burning. The CKLT tongs also feature thick rubber handles that make them easier to grip while providing insulation from any heat that might transfer to the metal.
Get the CKLT fire pit tongs at Amazon.
Pros
- Lightweight aluminum-alloy design material makes these tongs easy to wield
- Rustic wood handles blend nicely with outdoor living spaces
- Slim design and holes in handles’ ends allow for convenient storage
Cons
- Some customers complain that screwing together the tongs is challenging
Product Specs
- Material: Anodized aluminum
- Length: 38 inches
- Weight: 2.25 pounds
A smart design coupled with sturdy construction makes Kabin’s fire tongs a worthy companion for your outdoor fire pit. With its claw design, these tongs are adept at picking up large logs or bundles of sticks for kindling. They’re made from anodized aluminum, which is lighter than steel and won’t rust should you leave them outside in the rain.
Hardwood handles give these tongs an attractive rustic look while protecting your hands from heat transfer should the ends get held in flames for too long. Holes on the handles’ ends and arms close together to create a compact and narrow profile, making these tongs easy to store in a shed or garage when not in use.
Get the Kabin fire pit tongs at The Home Depot, Bass Pro Shops, or Kabin.
Pros
- Compact size and light weight make them easier to use than larger fire pit tongs
- Scissor design and curved jaws create a tight grip on logs
- Powder coating protects the steel from rust if the tongs spend the night outside
Cons
- Shorter length means there’s less of a buffer between you and the fire
Product Specs
- Material: Powder-coated steel
- Length: 26 inches
- Weight: 1.43 pounds
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to upgrade that tree branch, old fireplace poker, or even your bare hands to a good set of fire pit tongs. This budget-priced model features solid steel construction with a powder coating to protect it from rust.
The Stanbroil’s scissor design, large loop-style handles, and curved grabber are designed to fit around logs and make it easy to get a strong grip on a piece of wood. And, at under 1.5 pounds with a length of just 26 inches, these tongs are also easier to wield than heavier and longer fire pit tongs. Just remember that their shorter length can make it more difficult to maneuver logs in and around larger fire pits.
Get the Stanbroil fire pit tongs at Amazon.
Pros
- Won’t bend or rust thanks to their stainless steel construction
- Kit includes a poker as well as a set of tongs
- Stainless steel finish gives these fire pit tools an attractive look
Cons
- Grabber’s shorter length limits its use to small- to medium-size fire pits
Product Specs
- Material: Stainless steel
- Length: 32 inches (grabber), 36.5 inches (poker)
- Weight: 4.75 pounds (combined)
This set of tongs from Solo Stove is a bigger investment than other models on the market, but they’re also made from higher-quality materials. Stainless steel construction gives these tongs plenty of strength for lifting heavier logs, yet they aren’t susceptible to rust like other steel fire pit tongs. The stainless steel finish also gives them a more sophisticated look than other fireplace tongs.
At 32 inches long, these grabbers are easier to maneuver than other fire pit tongs. However, this shorter length also limits its use to small- to medium-size fire pits or an outdoor fireplace. These tongs also come with a second tool for stoking the fire: a 36.5-inch-long stainless steel poker. While this set of tools is designed to work with Solo stoves, they’re still a good choice for other types of fire pits.
Get the Solo Stove fire pit tongs at Amazon, Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, The Home Depot, Best Buy, or Solo Stove.
Pros
- Made from durable heavy-gauge black alloy steel that resists rust
- Poker creates a large buffer between you and the fire with its 40-inch length
- Hooks built into the ends of both tools are handy for storage
Cons
- Shorter grabber length isn’t ideal for large outdoor fire pits
Product Specs
- Material: Black alloy steel
- Length: 26 inches (grabber), 40 inches (poker)
- Weight: 3.34 pounds
This fireplace tong-and-poker set will keep a fire well stocked for extended burning. With its scissor design and curved jaws, the grabber can easily grip and pick up large logs to throw on the fire. Along with the 26-inch-long fire pit tongs, this set comes with a 40-inch-long poker that’s ideal for stoking the fire from a safe distance.
Both tools are made from heavy-gauge black alloy steel, so they can handle heavier logs without bending and will resist rusting. Hooks on the end of both tools are convenient for hanging this set of tools up when they’re not in use.
Get the EasiBBQ fire pit tongs at Amazon.
Pros
- Versatile; can use 1- or 2-handed for heavy or light loads
- Made of sturdy reinforced wrought iron that does not get too hot to handle
- Offers more control than a poker; handy and easy to use
Cons
- Although they can be used with only 1 hand, some buyers found it difficult to fit their thumb through the hole
Product Specs
- Material: Reinforced wrought iron
- Length: 26 inches
- Weight: 1.41 pounds
These 26-inch Rocky Mountain Good firewood tongs offer outstanding control, whether you’re moving heavy 12-inch-thick logs, small sticks, or burning coals. Use one-handed for lighter loads and two-handed for heavier pieces of wood. Their reinforced wrought iron and rust-resistant finish ensures that they’ll last for years to come, no matter what you put them through. Plus, they’re a great pair of tongs for grilling or even indoor use.
Get the Rocky Mountain Goods fire pit tongs at Amazon or Rocky Mountain Goods.
Pros
- 36-inch length allows you to stand safely away from the fire while adding logs
- Stainless steel construction gives these tools an attractive look and makes them rustproof
- Teeth in jaws bite into wood, helping to secure logs inside the tongs
Cons
- Metal looped handles have no grip for comfort or to provide insulation from heat
Product Specs
- Material: Stainless steel
- Length: 36 inches
- Weight: 3.39 pounds
With its long length, durable construction, and well-designed jaws, this log grabber from Skyflame is a worthy companion for tending an outdoor bonfire. The grabber measures 36 inches long, allowing you to stand well away from danger while maneuvering flaming logs or adding new fuel to the fire.
These fireplace tongs are made from durable stainless steel, so you don’t have to worry about them rusting should they get left out in the rain. Getting a good grip on logs is easy thanks to teeth inside the jaws and at the tip of the tongs. Looped handles are useful for hanging these tongs in a shed or garage when they’re not in use.
Get the Skyflame fire pit tongs at Amazon.
Jump to Our Top Picks
What to Consider When Choosing Fire Pit Tongs
When choosing fire pit tongs, selecting a well-designed set made from a durable material is crucial. Here, learn more about the different types of materials used to make these outdoor fireplace tools, the optimal length and weight for this fire pit accessory, and what designs work the best.
Material
Fire pit tongs come in several materials, including steel, stainless steel, and aluminum.
Steel alloy: Steel’s strength makes it ideal for fire pit tongs, as it’s less likely to bend or warp when applying pressure to the tongs while hoisting large logs. That said, steel is also heavier than other materials, which can make steel tongs more difficult to use for some people. Steel is also susceptible to rust if you leave the tongs out in the elements.
Aluminum alloy: While aluminum may not be as strong as steel, it’s tough enough to handle the duties required by a set of tongs. Aluminum is a lightweight material, making aluminum tongs easier to weld. Aluminum tongs also won’t rust if left out in the rain.
Stainless steel: Stainless steel tongs are strong, attractive, and rust-resistant, making them one of the most durable and functional tongs materials out there. Stainless steel tongs also happen to be more expensive than other options, and you can expect to pay about twice as much for them over painted steel or aluminum versions.
Length and Weight
Length and weight are key factors to consider when shopping for a set of fire pit tongs. Since you use fire pit tongs to add new logs to a fire or rearrange burning logs, the tongs need to be long enough to keep you at a safe distance from the fire while performing these tasks. The shortest fire pit tongs are typically at least 26 inches, ideal for an outdoor fireplace, a medium-size fire pit, or even a wood stove. Larger fire pit tongs are around 40 inches long, which is safer when tending to big fire pits.
The weight of a set of fire pit tongs determines how easy or cumbersome they are to use. Most fire pit tongs weigh between 2 and 4.5 pounds, which may not seem like much—but remember the total weight you’ll be lifting needs to include the logs you’re picking up to add to the fire.
Design
Fire pit tongs come in two-handed pincer and scissor styles and one-handed models. Pincer tongs consist of two pieces of metal held together by a single hinge at one end. The closer the hinge is to the handles, the wider the pincers can open to pick up logs. Scissor-style tongs have multiple hinges that open the jaws when the handles are spread apart. They also typically have a curved end that fits around logs to secure them. One-handed tongs use a spring mechanism that allows you to operate them with one hand.
Fire pit tongs also have large ergonomic handles that make them easy to grip and operate. They may also be insulated with rubber, wood, or another material that doesn’t conduct heat.
Tips for Using Fire Pit Tongs
Fire pit tongs can help you safely add logs to a fire or turn flaming firewood, but only if you use them correctly. When using a set of fire pit tongs, only pick up logs that you can comfortably lift with the tongs. Never try to move a log that’s too big for you to handle or you could end up dropping it in the fire, causing embers to become airborne.
While it’s safe to use tongs to reposition flaming logs, don’t leave the end of the tongs inside the flames for long periods, or the heat could transfer up the handles and burn you when you grab them. Be mindful of the length of the tongs, and avoid getting too close to the fire while adding logs or turning firewood.
- Only use tongs to move logs with a manageable weight
- Don’t leave the end of the tongs inside the fire for long periods
- Avoid getting too close to the fire when using tongs
FAQs
Understanding why you need this fireplace accessory and how to use it safely are key. Ahead, find out more about this handy tool and how it can help make your fire pit burn more efficiently.
Q. Why do I need fire pit tongs?
You need a pair of fire pit tongs to tend the fire safely. These handy tools allow you to add logs to the fire or flip flaming firewood while keeping you and your hands safe from the flames. And unlike a poker, tongs allow you to lift entire logs, making it easier to position them where you want them to go.
Q. Do fire pit tongs get hot?
Fire pit tongs are made of metal, which conducts heat. While tongs won’t get hot over short periods of time as you’re turning a log or adding fuel, they can get very hot if you leave the end of the tongs too close to the flames. Doing so can cause the handles to become extremely hot, potentially burning your hands.
Q. How can I make my fire pit more efficient?
The best way to make your fire pit more efficient is to use quality wood. If possible, use seasoned hardwood. Hardwood, such as oak and maple, is denser than softwood, so it will burn at a higher temperature and for much longer. Wood that has had a chance to season, meaning dry out, will burn more evenly and with less smoke than green wood, which contains too much moisture to burn properly. You can also make your fire pit work more efficiently by removing the ash and partially burnt wood between each burn, both of which hamper fresh firewood from burning while creating more smoke.
