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The Spruce Eats / Sabrina Jiang
When it comes to grilling like a pro, it’s essential to follow safe practices. Hot grill grates, hot charcoals, and an open flame can be extremely dangerous if you’re not wearing proper protection. With temperatures over 600 degrees Fahrenheit, grilling can be a seriously dangerous undertaking without the proper equipment. Grill gloves are a great way to protect yourself, even if you use tongs with long handles and observe other safe grilling practices.
Grill gloves are not the same as oven mitts, as they can protect your skin at much higher temperatures and allow you to reach farther over the surface of your grill. A good grilling glove should offer comfort while protecting both your fingers, hands, and forearms from high heat. Before buying a pair of grilling gloves, you should always consider the material of the gloves and the size of the gloves, as well as the price, as these will all play into which glove is the right fit (pun intended) for your grilling setup.
Here, the best grilling gloves available.
Best Overall
Cuisinart Heat-Resistant Silicone Gloves
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Amazon
Includes two
Dishwasher-safe
Waterproof
Only heat-resistant up to 425 degree
If you’re looking for a few pairs of grill gloves to designate for certain tasks or make sure all the members of your family have one that they can use, opt for a two-pack. These silicone gloves have multiple uses and are super comfortable. The gloves are ambidextrous, so you can use them between two people or the same person can double up on both. They’re waterproof and dishwasher-safe. The sturdy, non-slip grip means you can confidently lift that saucy spatchcocked barbecue chicken off the grill and onto the carving board. They are heat-resistant up to 425 degrees Fahrenheit, which is a nice baseline of heat protection, though you should be wary of using these for touching hot coals or logs.
Some reviewers say these gloves are on the smaller side, so if you have bigger hands, you may want to look into a glove with a more forgiving size.
Price at time of publish: $15
Dimension: 10.5 x 0.2 x 7.5 inches | Material: Silicone | Machine Washable: Yes | Maximum Temperature: 425 degrees Fahrenheit
Best Rubber
Mr. Bar-B-Q Insulated BBQ Gloves
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Walmart
Inexpensive
Long sleeves for added protection
Insulated
Only heat safe up to 220 degrees
Only available in one size
These insulated, waterproof gloves are highly rated for good reason. At a super affordable price, they are designed with extra comfort in mind. If they get dirty or greasy, it’s very easy to wash them off with hot, soapy water. They have long sleeves, which are effective in providing full forearm protection. Because they’re only heat safe up to 220 degrees Fahrenheit, it is recommended that you avoid directly using hot coals or logs.
Reviewers love using these gloves while deep frying, especially to protect against any oil splatters from deep-frying a large turkey for Thanksgiving or even a prime rib roast. Some reviewers like to wear these when shredding hot meat, like pulled pork, for the barbecue.
Price at time of publish: $18
Dimension: 13 x 7 x 0.6 inches | Material: Neoprene | Machine Washable: No | Maximum Temperature: 220 degrees Fahrenheit
Best Silicone
AYL Silicone Cooking Gloves
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Amazon
Non-slip grip
Easy to clean
Heat safe up to 475 degrees
Only cover your hands
If you’re looking for a sturdy pair of silicone gloves, this pair offers a dual layer of protection for added safety. The non-slip grip ensures that these gloves will grasp onto whatever it is that you’re holding, from tongs to grill baskets, and you don’t need to worry about anything slipping out of them. The food-safe silicone is fine to come into direct contact with foods, while the interior is lined with cotton for a comfortable, easy-to-maneuver feel.
Reviewers love how easy it is to clean and air dry these gloves. Since they’re only safe up to 475 degrees Fahrenheit, it is recommended that you don't use them to handle hot coals or logs.
Price at time of publish: $18
Dimension: 14.61 x 10.2 x 1.69 inches | Material: Silicone | Machine Washable: Yes | Maximum Temperature: 475 degrees Fahrenheit
Best Leather
Outset F234 Leather Grill Gloves
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Amazon
Sleek look
Breathable fabric
Comes in two sizes
Not as thick as some other gloves
Needs special maintenance
These stylish, brown leather gloves are a great addition to your outdoor cooking setup. A layer of aramid fiber gives these gloves extra heat protection and the leather gives them a sleek look as well as added comfort. The contour-fitted inner liner allows them to still be breathable, so you don’t have to worry about your hands overheating. With two sizes available, you’ll be sure to find a pair that fits your hands comfortably. In fact, there’s a matching apron available to complete the look. Look every bit the barbecue pro as you're grilling the perfect steaks.
With heat resistance up to 650 degrees Fahrenheit, there is tons that you can do with these gloves while still keeping your hands and wrists protected. Some reviewers note that these gloves are on the thinner side in comparison to some other fabrics, but they still offer high heat protection.
Price at time of publish: $22
Dimension: 0.5 x 7 x 15 inches | Material: Leather | Machine Washable: No | Maximum Temperature: 650 degrees Fahrenheit
Best Waterproof
RAPICCA BBQ Oven Gloves
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Amazon
Multiple sizes available
Long sleeves
Heat resistant to 932 degrees
Pricey
These neoprene and cotton gloves combine functionality with comfort. Food-grade neoprene rubber is resistant to fire, water, and stains, while the double layer of cotton adds comfort and dexterity. The neoprene is super easy to clean if it becomes dirty or greasy. If you are working with boiling water or hot steam, the neoprene is waterproof so you don’t need to worry about the gloves absorbing the high heat of the water. The glove is 14 inches, which means it offers added protection for your wrists and forearms. These gloves are oil- and heat-resistant up to 932 degrees Fahrenheit, which means these are great for protecting yourself from hot oil splatters.
Reviewers love how useful these gloves are when working with a smoker, charcoal grill, gas grill, or deep-frying setup. They’re available in multiple sizes so that you can find a pair that fits your hands.
Price at time of publish: $50
Dimension: 9.25 x 6.69 x 3.15 inches | Material: Neoprene | Machine Washable: No | Maximum Temperature: 932 degrees Fahrenheit
Best Wide
G & F Products 1685 13-Inch Long Heat-Resistant Grilling Glove
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Amazon
Very high heat resistance
Easy to slide on and off
Cuff provides added protection
One size only
Only comes with one glove
If you’re looking for a bit of a wider mitt shape, this heat-resistant glove fits the bill. The wide cuff is extremely breathable and comfortable while still providing a ton of added heat protection and air circulation—moving around multiple racks of barbecue ribs on the grill is no sweat. The glove is also lined with cotton for added comfort and breathability. The wide cuff prevents your hand from getting stuck so you don’t need to worry about forcefully pulling the glove off. Get ready to use this for intense temperatures—moving logs, hot coals, hot grill grates. You name it, this glove can stand the heat.
Price at time of publish: $15
Dimension: 13 x 5 x 1 inches | Material: Kevlar | Machine Washable: No | Maximum Temperature: 480 degrees Fahrenheit
The set of two Cuisinart Heat-Resistant Silicone Gloves are affordable, sturdy, non-slip, and heat-protective up to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. If you're a serious griller who wants gloves that can withstand high heat and are also water-resistant, we suggest splurging on the RAPICCA BBQ Oven Gloves.
What to Look For in Grill Gloves
Material
The material of your grill gloves will strongly indicate how they perform while being used. The available materials are silicone, leather, rubber, and aramid (a heat- and flame-resistant fabric). Aramid is not intended to handle food directly, so typically gloves with this fiber are outlined with another food-safe material. On the plus side, they are machine washable. Silicone is not as heat safe as the other fabrics and it’s not super form-fitting. So use silicone grill gloves with caution because they can melt, and make sure that the gloves fit the size of your hands.
Leather gloves do require a bit of breaking in, but once you’ve used them several times they are super comfortable and easy to maneuver. Keep in mind that leather can be notoriously tricky to clean, so if you opt for leather, be sure to stay on top of maintaining them. Neoprene rubber can offer a firm grip and a ton of dexterity, and it’s food-safe so you can grip directly onto food, then safely wash afterward.
Size
The grilling gloves that you decide on should feel like a natural extension of your hands. If they feel too large, it will be hard to precisely grab onto items, yet if they’re too small, you will be uncomfortable and if the gloves tear, you could seriously hurt yourself. Some gloves are made in a variety of sizes, which gives you the opportunity to buy a glove that is catered toward the size of your hand. Silicone gloves are typically offered in several sizes since they have such little forgiveness or stretch.
Sleeves and Thickness
There are also gloves that offer longer sleeves or shorter sleeves, so if you feel like you typically have your whole forearms in the heat of things, opting for a glove with a longer sleeve might be a great idea. You should also consider the thickness of the gloves because sometimes a thinner glove is not as proficient at protecting your hands as a thicker one.
Price
A new pair of grill gloves shouldn’t break the bank, but you want to make sure that you’re opting for a pair that is of a high enough quality to protect you from the grilling elements. If you opt for something too cheap, you could be sacrificing your own safety.
FAQs
Are grill gloves necessary?
Grilling gloves are necessary depending on the task. If you’re cooking over a gas grill, it’s up to you whether you’d like a pair of grill gloves to protect you against heat or flames. They are a great protection if you accidentally come into contact with hot grill grates or a hot lid or handle. However, if you’re over an open fire pit, adjusting logs, or dealing with hot charcoals, it’s definitely a good idea to have a pair of gloves on to serve as heat protection.
How do you clean grill gloves?
Once your grill gloves are dirty with ash, soot, and other debris, it’s important to give them a rinse to keep them in good shape. You can opt to wash them by hand in hot, soapy water, or some gloves are machine washable. In the case of leather or suede gloves, you never want to machine wash these materials. Let them completely air dry before using them.
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
Sara Tane has written nearly a dozen buying guides for The Spruce Eats, understanding what consumers and cooks need to consider before making a new purchase for their culinary adventures. She is a professionally trained chef in addition to a grilling and outdoor cooking enthusiast. With many weekends of outdoor cooking experience, she is no stranger to charcoal, propane, and wood-pellet-fired grills. After researching gas grills, charcoal grills, budget grills, and portable grills, she can help you find the best outdoor cooking setup for your home or next adventure.
On top of that, she knows that maintaining your cooking equipment is essential to extending the life of these items. As someone who knows the value of staying safe while grilling, she always considers the proper equipment necessary to stay safe and protected while using a grill.