Taming the fiery flames of our beloved grills and smokers requires not just skill, but also the right gear. And when it comes to protecting our hands from the scorching heat, only the best grill gloves will do.
In this post, we’ll break down each glove’s features, materials, and heat resistance so you can confidently choose the perfect pair that fits like a glove 😉. So, gather ’round the grill, and let’s dig into the world of high-quality BBQ gloves that’ll have you flipping, turning, and searing like a pro in no time!
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Best Grill Gloves
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Best Waterproof Gloves
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Best Welding Gloves
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$29.95
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$19.98
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Our Pick for the Best Grill Gloves
In a hurry? Check out our top 5 grilling gloves! Keep reading to discover more about our top picks.
- Grill Armor: Best Overall Grill Gloves
- RAPICCA: Best Waterproof BBQ Gloves
- OZERO: Best Welding Gloves
- Jolly Green: Most Grip
- Steven Raichlen: Best Leather Grill Gloves
Our Reviews Of The Best 5 Grilling Gloves
Having a solid pair of gloves for grilling is one of the essential accessories of a pitmaster. Whether you need to arrange the coals or move food around the grill, you always want to keep your hands protected.
However, not all BBQ gloves are created equal.
With various materials, lengths, and features available, we’ve tried them all and narrowed them down to the top options. Here are our top five BBQ gloves that will help keep your hands protected at all times:
Grill Armor: Best Overall Grill Gloves
Pros
- Extremely High Heat Resistance
- Keeps Your Hands Cool
- Flexible For Handling Food
Cons
- Not comfortable if they get completely wet
When it comes to fabric gloves, the best out there is Grill Armor. Made with aramid fibers, the gloves can withstand heat levels as high as 932ºF.
This is way hotter than any normal grill or smoker can ever get.
Another great thing about the Grill Armor Gloves is that they have enough thickness, with a cotton lining inside that allows for flexibility when using tools and utensils. Its silicone texture on the fingers and palms provides additional grip, so you can firmly handle food as needed.
Read Our Full Review: Grill Armor Gloves Review
RAPICCA: Best Waterproof BBQ Gloves
Pros
- Fire, Water, and Stain-resistant
- Professional Grade
- Easy To Clean
Cons
- Little slick when wet
If you are looking for grilling gloves that are heat resistant, fireproof, waterproof, and stainproof, then you should check out these long gloves from Rapicca.
The gloves are made with heavy neoprene rubber material that can protect your hands from heat levels as high as 932ºF.
Since they are also waterproof, these BBQ gloves can also let you pull items out of boiling water without scalding your hands.
The neoprene rubber in the gloves is considered food-grade and allows you to easily wash and sanitize them after use.
The Rapicca gloves have two soft cotton liners on the inside to provide ideal insulation from heat as well as comfort when worn.
This pair of gloves lets you wear them loosely, so you can easily put them on and take them off as needed.
OZERO: Best Welding Gloves
Pros
- Genuine Leather
- Covers Forearms
- Raw, Natural Product
Cons
- Hot, sweaty, and stiff if they get wet
Jolly Green: Most Grip
Jolly Green’s Ekogrips grill gloves have been one of the top silicone gloves for barbecues.
These BBQ gloves from Ozero combine genuine cowhide leather with Kevlar that has been insulated with cotton along with air-isolated aluminum foil.
Not only can the gloves withstand 932ºF, but they can be very comfortable to wear.
When first wearing the Ozero BBQ gloves, they can be a little stiff but will eventually increase in dexterity the more you use them.
The gloves are 16 inches in length to allow you to protect the forearms while grilling.
Rather than use advanced materials, the Ozero gloves only use natural elements, so they are the top budget option.
Its material makes it easy to handle food directly while being very easy to clean after every grill session.
Pros
- Goes To Mid Forearm
- Waterproof Material
- Made With Quality Materials
Cons
- Stick to your hands, so it can be hard to take them off
Although they are made of silicone, the Ekogrips gloves are sufficiently insulated and thick.
It is rated to withstand temperatures as high as 425ºF.
The gloves themselves are 100% waterproof with reinforced finger webbing so you can avoid tears or rips when using sharp objects.
Cleaning these BBQ gloves is also very easy as they are dishwasher-safe.
Steven Raichlen: Best Leather Grill Gloves
These suede gloves for grilling made by Steven Raichlen are another one of our leather picks when it comes to BBQ gloves.
These feature 18-inch gauntlets that can go as high as your elbow to give you the fullest protection from flames, splashing grease, and hot coals.
Pros
- Flexible Enough For Grilling
- 18-Inches Provides More Safety
- Comfortable Cotton Inside
Cons
- Not the best insulation, so they’ll get hot on the inside (but not burning you hot).
Although they have an outer material made of leather, the gloves are comfortable and nimble enough to let you use utensils, knives, and tongs easily.
This is one of its advantages over other leather gloves sold out there.
Since it is suede leather, it can be difficult to maintain and clean.
Thanks to its black and tan colors, the product from Steven Raichlen tends to hide grit and stains easily.
What Are Gloves For Grilling?
Gloves for grilling, also called BBQ gloves or grill gloves, can provide you with similar protection to that of oven mitts.
However, these gloves have vital differences in that they are intended to accommodate the use of grilling tools while also allowing you to reach further over the grill surface.
Grilling gloves are made to maintain dexterity and can even protect the forearms, so you can reach across hot grills when handling your food.
These BBQ gloves are available in different types of material. They all offer flexibility, comfort, and durability when grilling.
Prices of these gloves will definitely vary as some gloves are going to cost more than expected due to the advanced material technology used.
- Be careful when buying inexpensive gloves since hand protection should be a priority.
- Some gloves may be slightly more expensive, but they come with the added benefit of longer-lasting protection.
The best gloves for grilling are comfortable to use while still providing you with the flexibility to handle tools and keep your hands protected.
What Are the Different Types of Grill Gloves?
As mentioned above, there are different types of grill gloves sold today based on different materials.
These are:
- Silicone
- Leather
- Fabric
- Synthetic
Silicone
Silicone gloves allow you to handle ribs and briskets easily with your hands.
Although they do not provide as much insulation nor are they as form-fitting as the other types of gloves, they are very easy to clean.
Meat particles, juices, and sauces can be washed right off with a simple rinse as nothing will stick to the silicone surface of this type of gloves.
The silicone gloves today are made using silicone approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Some of them are even BPA-free, which is ideal in minimizing food exposure to such harmful chemicals.
Read More >> How To Reheat Brisket Without Drying It Out (5 Easy Steps)
Leather
Using leather BBQ gloves is perhaps the most traditional method of protecting the hands when grilling, but the material can be quite versatile as well.
Leather can do its best by handling the hottest parts of your grill, moving hot tools and pans, or even shoving flaming logs into fire pits.
Leather gloves are very thick and insulate the hands well.
However, they are not the best option when handling hot food since they are not as dexterous to use.
They are also difficult to clean and can easily get dirty.
After a long time of use, leather BBQ gloves tend to stiffen up and harden, so you might want to take that into consideration before buying.
Fabric
The third type of gloves for grilling are fabric gloves.
These gloves are often made with high-heat-resistant fabric such as aramid or Kevlar.
They are usually lined with silicone strips or inserts at the palms for additional grip.
Fabric grilling gloves are not intended for handling food directly since they are not non-stick or as easy to clean as silicone gloves.
Their advantage, however, is that they are excellent in handling very hot grill grates, utensils, logs, and pans.
They are also quite comfortable and dexterous to use. Some fabric BBQ gloves are even machine-washable.
However, fabric gloves cannot be used when wet since water causes them to conduct heat at a faster rate, ultimately reducing their ability to insulate.
Synthetic
Synthetic gloves for grilling are often made with a silicone or rubber exterior that is lined with fabric, whether natural-synthetic.
Compared to leather gloves, they do not insulate the hands as well, but they are more nimble and allow users to handle utensils and tools easily.
When using synthetic grill gloves, they have a feel similar to wearing a pair of dish gloves — only they’re thicker and of much higher quality.
Just like fabric grill gloves, you should not use synthetic gloves while they are wet since water can cause them to conduct heat.
Thanks to their rubber exterior, synthetic gloves are very easy to clean. You simply have to use soap and wash it just like you would with your hands.
Read More >> Top 10 Essential Smoker and Grilling Accessories
How Do Grilling Gloves Keep Your Hands Safe?
Imagine how you can now get closer to your barbecue grill without worrying about the pain that comes when your hands get close to the fire.
With heat-resistant gloves for grilling, you can reach out and move items around your grill without having to feel the heat.
These significantly practical gloves make it more convenient for you to grab your steaks, flip burgers and even make adjustments to your coals with precision.
The different designs, materials, and heat settings offered by BBQ gloves can bring your grill game to the next level.
You no longer need to worry about putting your fingers on the line the next time you have a barbecue.
Read More >> Best Grill Tool Set
Factors To Consider When Buying Grill Gloves
The gloves for grilling that we have nowadays are sold in a range of styles and designs.The best one for you is going to depend on your unique needs and purposes.
For example, gloves that are used at home may not be ideal for commercial use.
At the very least, your barbecue gloves need to provide the following features below.
Dexterity
As you grill, you often do a lot of cutting and turning for your meat, fish, or vegetables.
Barbecue gloves that are too thick won’t allow you to do any of these tasks well.
Being clumsy while using a fiery hot grill can quickly lead to accidents.
The advantage that thicker gloves provide is that they are also more resistant to heat.
If you are in the market for BBQ gloves, you want those that aren’t as thick that they sacrifice hand dexterity for heat resistance.
However, if your type of barbecue will require you to move hot burning logs manually, then you may need to give up dexterity to get maximum heat protection.
High-Quality Materials
As we have discussed above, the type of materials used in creating gloves for grilling can go a long way in determining its overall durability and quality.
Some gloves use leather, while others use silicone, synthetic, or fabric materials.
Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages.
For example, leather BBQ gloves are more expensive, but they provide more heat resistance than most gloves in the market.
Meanwhile, synthetic grilling gloves may not have the best heat protection, but they can be very affordable and easy to clean.
It is recommended that you select the type of glove that matches your needs.
It is also always a good idea to go for gloves that are made with high-quality materials for the best performance.
Cuff Length
The ideal grilling gloves offer protection from the tips of your fingers to that past your wrist.
The longer the glove, the more protection it can provide especially for barbecues.
When working on a small grill, the cuffs of your BBQ gloves need to be at least 4.5 inches long and have to be easily removable.
For those working big, open-flame grills, then the gloves should go as high up as the elbows to provide the best protection.
In other words, you will want to choose the right cuff length based on the type of grill you often use.
Also, consider the sort of cooking you plan to do.
Comfort
Comfort for your BBQ gloves can be easily omitted if you do not need to grill regularly and if you only have to do it for a short time.
Though if you intend to do a lot of grilling, then you should prioritize the comfort of your gloves.
Your desired grilling gloves shouldn’t only be easy to wear, but they should also be comfortable when worn.
This is especially true when you have to handle hot food, utensils, and tools.
With that said, you shouldn’t compromise your safety when deciding on your BBQ gloves.
Easy to Clean
Some types of gloves, especially those made with silicone, only need soap to get them cleaned.
There are also gloves that are dishwasher- or washing machine-safe.
Other gloves, particularly the leather ones, can be difficult to wash and require users to follow specific instructions to avoid damage.
For your own convenience and hygiene, always go with grilling gloves that are easy to maintain and clean.
The cleaner the gloves, the more comfortable they are to wear especially when handling food on or off the grill.
Read More >> How To Clean A Flat Top Grill (4 Easy Steps)
Budget
Cheap grilling gloves rarely provide you with the durability and protection you need to get the job done.
But since the more costly gloves can be higher than your budget, you want to shop for BBQ gloves that meet all of the features you need.
You want to look for gloves that can help you with your grilling tasks without compromising on quality or going past your budget.
Thickness and Heat Resistance
The best gloves for grilling combine heat-resistant materials and ideal thickness. But not all gloves are made equal.
Some gloves can only handle heat as far as 400 degrees Fahrenheit while others can go as high as 932 degrees Fahrenheit.
Since modern-day grills can generate heat with temperatures reaching as high as 600 degrees, while commercial grills can go higher, the gloves you select need to be able to handle the type of heat you plan to face often.
Are Welding Gloves Good for BBQ?
There are welding gloves that can be used for grilling purposes. Many people have been using these heavy-duty welding gloves for their barbecues because they feel more secure lifting hot grills with them.
Welding gloves that are made with cowhide leather with reinforced palms are particularly good for grilling due to their resistance to heat.
They make for the perfect gloves to wear when you need to handle hot and sharp objects.
Although they can be quite tough due to industrial use, welding gloves are sufficiently pliable, so you can wear them for many hours.
Some designs are made with soft fleece linings that add an additional level of comfort for users.
The wrist and fingers can also be moved to grasp anything easily, which is great for situations where dexterity is needed.
Many welding glove designs are also made to protect your forearms.
Gloves can extend as much as 18 inches up the forearm, making them an excellent choice when you need to work your way around a fiery grill.
What Kind of Gloves Do BBQ Pitmasters Use?
If you’re looking for those black gloves that you see on YouTube, those are nitrile gloves, which are sterile (so they can handle food) but don’t offer much protection against high heat.
Oftentimes, we’ll wear cotton gloves underneath the black nitrile gloves to give some heat protection, but still be able to handle food.
What Types of Gloves Should I Use if I Want To Handle Hot Coals?
If you want to handle hot coals, you want to go with Kevlar-inforced welding gloves since they offer the most heat protection and cover your forearms for more safety.
Are Grill Gloves Worth It?
In my opinion, a pair of grill gloves is an essential BBQ accessory that anyone who grills or smokes food should have. They’re affordable, they’ll protect you from burns, and it makes your grilling experience easier.
