When you’re outdoors grilling, you have a lot on your plate, preparing food for family and friends. But maneuvering around the high temperatures of a grill, over an open flame, can be dangerous. Using the best BBQ gloves can be exactly what you need to protect yourself from intense heat, flying embers, and hot surfaces.
If you find yourself grilling often, year-round, then having the proper tools is a must. Since these gloves are designed to protect your hands from potential injury, finding a pair of gloves that are tough enough to handle high temperatures, splattering grease, and flying embers, will be crucial to your safety. I’ve included five pairs of BBQ gloves that passed a variety of tests and earned high marks for durability and comfort. I’ve also created a buyer’s guide that goes over all of specs to pay attention to, before you buy, such as material type, fit, and more. Below, you’ll find the comparison chart that includes information concerning the top five models, how they rated, and other important information.
BBQ Gloves Comparison Chart
| Product | Material | Length | Heat Resistance | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Artisan Griller BBQ Gloves  Shop On Amazon! | Neoprene | 14 Inches | 500 Degrees | |
RAPICCA Grill Gloves  Shop On Amazon! | Neoprene | 17 Inches | 932 Degrees | |
Walfos BBQ Gloves  Shop On Amazon! | Silicone | 13.7 Inches | 550 Degrees | |
SARCCH BBQ Grill Mitts  Shop On Amazon! | Silicone | 13 Inches | 1472 Degrees | |
Comsmart BBQ Gloves  Shop On Amazon! | Aramid | 13 Inces | 1472 Degrees |
Artisan Griller BBQ Heat Resistant Insulated Gloves
Our Rating:
These gloves feature a non-slip surface, which will make it easier for you to handle food and cooking utensils, easily. Measuring in at fourteen inches in length, these gloves will provide excellent forearm protection against high temperatures, grease, flying embers, and more. These large gloves are flame resistant and feature a liner that’s made out of soft cotton, offering a more breathable design. The coating on the gloves is made out of neoprene, which is a type of synthetic rubber that’s fire-resistant and helps to protect the hands from open flames. The coating is FDA compliant and waterproof, offering better than average flexibility and maximum protection.
Pros
- Waterproof
- Fire resistant
- Soft cotton liner
- Breathable
Cons
- Gloves feel very stiff for the first couple of months of use
Conclusion
Considering these gloves are made out of neoprene, it’s surprising that they have a reputation for breathability. However, upon first receiving the gloves, you’ll notice that they feel somewhat stiff in the hands and forearm area, which can have an impact on dexterity. Overall, if you’re looking for gloves that offer ultimate protection when you’re grilling, these gloves are it. Cleanup is easy, simply rinse them off in the sink with warm soapy water, or toss them in the dishwasher. Versatile, durable, and designed to last, these gloves have what it takes to handle grilling, smoking, cooking over an open flame, and higher than average temperatures, without melting.
RAPICCA Grill Gloves Heat Resistant Gloves
Our Rating:
These gloves have an impressive heat-resistance rating of nine hundred and thirty-two degrees. They feature a non-slip design that allows you to handle greasy meat and wet food. The double-layer design includes a soft cotton liner that will improve comfort and insulation. The gloves fit loosely on the hands, so dexterity is not negatively impacted. The gloves are also BPA-free and FDA compliant. The neoprene material will protect the wearer from high temperatures, water, oil, and more, so you can cook over an open flame, take food directly out of the smoker, or even remove food from boiling water, with full protection. The gloves are also easy to clean, just wash them in warm soapy water and allow them to airdry. The seventeen-inch length will protect your arms, wrists, and hands, from dangerous temperatures.
Pros
- Higher than average heat protection
- Fourteen-inches long
- FDA compliant
- Waterproof
Cons
- Bulky
- Stiff in the fingers
Conclusion
These versatile gloves are perfect for grill and smoker use. They can also be used when you’re cooking indoors if you’re making crabs, lobster, need to take something out of the oven, or a boiling pot of water. The durable, low maintenance design promotes breathability, durability, and user comfort. The longer length of the gloves, combined with the higher heat-resistance rating make these gloves a must-have for the grilling enthusiasts.
Walfos BBQ Smoker Gloves
Our Rating:
These bright orange grilling gloves by Walfos feature flexible fingers and are made out of silicone, so they’re designed to easily withstand grilling temperatures. The textured non-slip grip makes handling greasy meat or wet veggies, a breeze. The gloves are made out of one hundred percent waterproof material and are dishwasher safe. The gloves measure in at just under fourteen inches in length, which will work to protect your forearms, wrists, hands, and fingers from burns. The interior is insulated with cotton and designed to keep your hands and forearms comfortable and dry.
Pros
- Flexible finger
- Non-slip grip
- Dishwasher safe
- Low price
- Made out of silicone
Cons
- Low heat-resistance rating
Conclusion
These gloves are covered by a five-year warranty, which is pretty impressive. The longer length will keep your hands and forearms well-protected from open flames, higher temperatures, grease, flying embers, and water. The fact that the gloves are made out of silicone means that the interior can run a little hot, so you can expect your hands to sweat excessively during the summer months. Durable, flexible, and made out of the toughest rated material, these gloves can easily get the job done and allow you to quickly handle meat, grilled fish, rotisserie chicken, and more.
SARCCH BBQ Gloves-Protective Grill Mitts
Our Rating:
These gloves are made out of heat-resistant polyester cotton. The gloves are also equipped with food-grade silicone grips, which are designed to improve your grip while reducing the risk of accidents by preventing cookware and food from slipping from your grasp. The breathable design allows you to comfortably wear these gloves during the hotter summer months. These are multipurpose gloves, which means they can be used for so much more than just grilling. They’re a great buy for home cooks, pros and can be used for handling super hot foods in the kitchen or right off the grill or smoker, and they can also come in handy when you’re baking. These gloves are also washing-machine friendly, or they can be washed by hand and allowed to air dry.
Pros
- Breathable
- Silicone non-slip grip coating
- High heat resistance rating
- Multipurpose use
Cons
- Gloves may fall apart if washed in a washing machine
Conclusion
These durable, flexible gloves are designed to handle higher than average temperatures, compared to other grilling gloves on the market. Claiming a heat resistance rating of fourteen hundred and seventy-two degrees, these ultra-tough gloves can be used for a wide range of cooking applications, indoors and out.
Comsmart BBQ Gloves Heat Resistant Grilling Gloves
Our Rating:
These gloves are made out of three different types of materials. The first material is silicone, which covers the surface of the gloves and is designed to improve durability and grip. The second material is aramid fiber, which is designed to handle high temperatures. The last material is a polyester/cotton blend that lines the inside of the gloves and promotes breathability. The thirteen-inch length will protect the hands, wrists, and forearms. The gloves feature enhanced heat resistance with a heat resistance rating of fourteen hundred and seventy-two degrees. This will allow you to remove food from a boiling pot of water, take food out of a smoker, or remove a steak from the grill. These gloves are a great buy for both the casual and serious grilling enthusiasts.
Pros
- Flexible
- Made out of aramid
- Cotton liner
- Higher than average heat resistance rating
Cons
- Only has high heat resistance for five seconds
Conclusion
These gloves are the perfect grilling accessory, however, they can also be used indoors for baking or cooking on the stove. The comfortable fit, durable design, and high heat-resistance all make these gloves a steal for the price. The manufacturer claims that these gloves can handle temperatures over fourteen hundred degrees, but they fail to mention that the wearer will quickly start to feel the heat after just five seconds. Overall, these are top of the line aramid grilling gloves, just keep in mind that the high heat resistance rating will begin to falter in a matter of seconds.
BBQ Gloves Buyer’s Guide
These gloves aren’t like your average oven mitts. Instead, they offer a higher level of protection and are designed to withstand higher temperatures and heavy-duty use. The serious griller will be in search of a pair that’s comfortable, offers a snug fit, and can easily deal with intense temperatures without burning or melting. The gloves will allow you to safely cook steak on a charcoal grill, without the risk of burns that come with having to stay close to flip the meat, dealing with higher temperatures.
Material
There are many gloves to choose from that will vary based on size, style, and material type. When it comes to the level of protection these gloves can offer, it’s all about the material. These gloves are typically made out of silicone and a mixture of synthetic rubber, suede, leather, and fabric. These materials are able to easily withstand temperatures that range from four hundred and twenty-five degrees over nine hundred degrees.
Silicone
This is a rubber-like material that has several uses. Depending on its density and thickness, it can also be fire retardant. It also has a reputation for being impressively malleable and is usually one hundred percent waterproof and can be placed in the dishwasher or wiped down. However, these gloves are usually loose at the wrist, which means they can allow radiant heat to enter, which will totally defeat the purpose of wearing these gloves. They’re also usually bulky and can make it difficult to perform simple tasks. Last of all, silicone can become very slippery, which will make it difficult to grip anything.
Woven Fabric
Aramid fibers are categorized as synthetic fibers that are commonly used by firefighters and the military. In terms of heat resistance, they make the best option for BBQ gloves. This material has a non-existent melting point, a low resistance to abrasion and can withstand any temperature. Basically, when it comes to heat-resistance, this material is the best choice. The biggest drawback is the price and the material’s lack of water resistance.
Leather
Leather is not always the best choice for grilling gloves since it can shrink, burn and is a type of material that requires plenty of attention and care. If you want a low maintenance pair of gloves that you can toss into the dishwasher, then you’ll want to skip leather BBQ gloves and go with a more durable, low maintenance material.
Heat Resistance
While grill gloves offer an impressive resistance to heat, it doesn’t mean that they can handle these higher temperatures for long. On average these gloves can withstand intense temperatures from ten seconds up to sixty. This will leave the wearer with plenty of time to pick up the food, move it, switch the food from one grate to another, or even grab food, such as crabs, out of a boiling pot of water. Before you buy, make sure you take a look at the heat-resistance rating to determine if the gloves are tough enough to meet your grilling needs.
Flexibility
If you’re shopping for gloves for the grill, not only do you need to pay attention to the type of material they’re made out of, or how long they can withstand heat, but how the pair ranked in the dexterity department will also matter. When you have the gloves on, you want to be able to still use your hands as usual, meaning you should be able to flip burgers, squeeze tongs, pour a bottle of sauce, or slice with a knife. Because of this, the glove’s flexibility rating should also be a priority. This will mean purchasing gloves that are not made from silicone alone, which has a reputation for hindering flexibility.
Fit
Gloves that are comfortable to wear is another must. If you’re spending a lot of time outdoors in the sun, handling meat over an open flame, then the gloves you have should be breathable. A good pair of gloves will have some other type of fabric woven into the material that’s breathable and designed to promote airflow. Otherwise, you’ll find that you have to remove the gloves constantly due to excessive sweat.
Cleanup
Cleaning and care will also matter. Most of these grilling gloves are washing-machine friendly, or they can be tossed in the sink and washed with a little soap and warm water. Some gloves can also be tossed in the dishwasher, for faster and more convenient cleaning action. However, I recommend washing these gloves by hand, since they can shrink in the dishwasher or washing machine.
Construction
Take a closer look at the glove’s construction. Some gloves are two-layered, while others are three-layered. Of course, more layers means improved durability, so you can expect the three-layered gloves to provide a higher level of heat insulation and better durability, compared to two-layer models. This is why it’s important to check out how many layers the gloves consist of before you buy.
Length
Most BBQ enthusiasts recommend looking for gloves that are at most ten-inches in length. At this length, the gloves can provide the proper protection for the forearms and wrists as well. Longer gloves will allow you to easily reach into a smoker, as remove some of the best meats you can smoke, such as a large brisket, or a rack of ribs. The gloves will provide the protection you need to easily handle these meats without the use of bulky cooking utensils.
Grip
The outer layer of the gloves will determine the grip the gloves offer. Without the right grip, you won’t be able to handle food, condiments, or utensils. Because of this, you’ll need to take into account the type of grip the gloves provide. If the gloves offer a non-skid design, then you’ll be able to handle cooking utensils and food, easily. Most gloves will come with a layer of silicone on the palms of the gloves, which is designed to improve your grip and easily hold onto greasy meats, veggies, and more. For the most part, the type of thick traction on the palms of the gloves will have a big impact on your ability to handle slippery or greasy foods.
Final Thoughts
When you’re outdoors working over a hot grill, or in the kitchen handling foods on a hot stove, you need the best BBQ gloves to provide a higher level of protection. It’s those times when you’re preparing a large meal for family and friends that you seem to need the most protection. You’re dealing with a higher volume of food, you’re all over the place rushing to ensure all the food is prepared, the ribs are grilled correctly, and you don’t burn the chicken breasts. This is usually when accidents happen. These gloves are designed to withstand high temperatures, will protect your hands, wrists, and forearms from boiling water, burning hot oil, and flying embers, ensuring your stay safe and well-protected as you whip up dinner for the whole family. Remember, the best gloves are designed to handle higher than average temperatures, can allow your fingers and wrists to move around freely, without hindering range of motion, and will provide the ultimate level of protection against serious injuries when you working over an open flame. I’m confident that you’ll find the perfect pair of gloves for your next grilling session in my best-of list. These gloves will be a pair that will provide a higher level of protection you need, at a price you can afford.
