Grill Gloves

Before you read: When you buy through my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend things I'd be happy to use in my own kitchen.

Which one should you buy?

For most backyard cooks, a pair of five-finger silicone gloves with a long cuff covers the jobs that matter: lifting grates, moving cast iron and pulling apart a pork shoulder.

A folded tea towel is fine until it gets damp, and then the heat goes straight through. That's the moment you find out what language you really speak.

Proper grill gloves let you lift a hot grate, move a cast iron pan or pull apart a pork shoulder without a second thought. They won't make you heatproof, but they give you a few precious seconds to pick something up and put it down where you meant to.

How grill gloves actually protect you

Heat gets to your hand in two ways: through direct contact with something hot, and through anything wet or greasy that soaks in. Dry layers trap air, and air is a poor conductor of heat. That's why a dry glove works and a damp one doesn't.

Silicone is waterproof, so hot juices, steam and fat stay on the outside. That's its big advantage for messy jobs like shredding pork. The catch is that most silicone gloves, including my pick, have a cotton lining. If hot liquid runs into the cuff and soaks that lining, the heat comes through fast. Keep the cuffs dry and the insides dry, and they'll do their job.

Silicone also doesn't like open flame. It handles hot metal well, but held in the fire it can soften or melt. For reaching into flames or handling a hot chimney starter, a heat-rated leather or aramid glove is the better tool.

Kitchen Perfection gloves at a glance

Kitchen Perfection is a small brand sold mainly on Amazon. Treat any heat rating on any glove as a guide, not a promise.

What to look for in grill gloves

• Waterproof outside. Silicone or a silicone grip keeps hot juices out and wipes clean.

• A long cuff. Your wrists and forearms are the bits that get scorched reaching over a fire.

• Separate fingers. You need to hold tongs, a spatula and a thermometer, not just lift things.

• A dry, comfortable lining. It should be easy to keep dry and dry out fully after washing.

• The right fit. Loose fingertips make you clumsy, and clumsy is how things get dropped. Check the sizing if you have small or very large hands.

My pick ticks the waterproof, cuff and finger boxes. Sizing is one size, so if your hands are small, a mitt may actually feel safer.

Who it suits, and who should skip it

Good for you if

• You lift grates, move cast iron or handle meat straight off the grill

• You make pulled pork or anything juicy and messy

• You want one pair for the grill and the oven

Skip it if

• You need to reach into open flames or handle hot charcoal: get a heat-rated leather or aramid glove for that

• You have small hands and find one-size gloves loose

• You'd rather have a simple mitt for lifting pans

How to get the best from them

Grab, move, let go

No glove makes you heatproof. Pick things up quickly, set them down, and never hold something hot for longer than you need to. Plan where it's going before you lift it.

Pulled pork

This is where silicone shines. Let the meat rest, then pull it apart with gloved hands. Keep your hands pointing down so juices don't run into the cuffs.

Moving a hot skillet

Cast iron on the grill gets properly hot and stays hot. Use both hands on heavy pans and have a heatproof spot ready to set it down.

Raw then cooked

If you've handled raw meat with your gloves, wash them before you touch anything cooked or ready to eat. Same rule as your hands.

Cleaning and safety

• Hand wash in hot soapy water. These aren't for the dishwasher.

• Dry them completely, inside and out, before you put them away. A damp lining lets heat straight through.

• Keep them clean. Grease on the surface conducts heat, so wipe them down after every cook.

• If the lining gets wet, stop and swap to a dry pair or a mitt.

• Keep them out of the flames. Silicone can soften or melt in direct fire.

The one rule

Dry gloves only. Wet gloves are just a very convincing way to burn yourself.

Questions people ask

Silicone, leather or Kevlar grill gloves?

Silicone is waterproof and easy to clean, so it's best for handling food and greasy jobs. Leather and aramid gloves give you more dexterity and better flame protection, but they soak up grease. Plenty of grill cooks keep one of each.

How hot can silicone grill gloves handle?

Sellers often quote 500 degrees, but that's not the same as how long you can hold something hot. Even good silicone only buys you a few seconds against a very hot handle. Move quickly.

Can I put grill gloves in the dishwasher?

Not this pair. The maker says hand wash only. Wash in hot soapy water and let them dry right through.

Are silicone gloves safe for pulled pork?

Yes, that's one of their best uses. They're waterproof and wash easily. Just wash them between raw and cooked meat.

Can I use grill gloves as oven gloves?

Yes. They're handy for roasting tins and casseroles too, as long as they're dry.

Cook with them

Grab a hot skillet off the grill for my Smash Burgers with Magic Sauce.

Updated October 2026. Prices change often, so check before you buy.