Every Toaster Needs a Pair of Toast Tongs

By,a writer at the Strategist covering outdoors and travel gear.She was previously an editor at Paper.
saved

Save this article to read it later.

Find this story in your account’s‘Saved for Later’section.

Comment
Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photo: Retailer

A trip toParisrecently changed my breakfast routine forever, and there were zero croissants involved. I’d booked an Airbnb in St.-Martin; my host was an elegant woman in her late 30s who seemed to have walked straight off the set ofCall My Agent. Her cozy yet tasteful apartment put my Brooklyn hovel to shame. I took note of herlinensand skin-care products, but what made the biggest impression was a pair of wooden tongs tucked into the slots of her vintagetoaster.

My Airbnb host’s toast station

I suppose I’d encountered toast tongs before, but a Parisian context suddenly made them a lot more alluring. The French, I deduced, refuse to endure pain while extracting theirpain. After failing to find my host’s cute yellow tongs in local stores (even a visit to hallowed halls ofMerciproved fruitless), I purchased some plain bamboo ones upon my return home and haven’t stuck a fork into a live kitchen appliance since. (I’ve now tracked down my host’s exact pair, linked below.)

If you’re eating toast with any regularity, toast tongs will be a gently life-changing purchase. Touching hot bread with your fingers is a small unpleasantry that adds up over time — why not put an end to it? And toast tongs also help you dislodge smaller slices that fall deep into the slots, which is especially relevant if you bake and slice your own bread (brag), or are buying fancy farmers’ market loaves.

Over time, I’ve found that the secret to toast tongs is keeping them in the toaster. I ownother kitchen tongsfor cooking and serving, but my toast-removal pair never leave their post, which is key to their convenience. If they happen to stray to the sink or utensil drawer, I immediately feel tempted to turn my toaster on its side and stick my fingers in, scattering crumbs all over the counter — a deeply unsophisticated and American approach.

Reusable Classic Bamboo Toast Tongs
Saved
View
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products?Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale.
Yes

New! You can now save this product for later.

The simple bamboo toast tongs I use every day, in a two-pack so you can use the other pair for cooking or serving.

COOK CONCEPT Pince Bambou Aimentee Resistant Attrape Pain Grille
Saved
View
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products?Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale.
Yes

New! You can now save this product for later.

The exact tongs from my Airbnb can be shipped from France.

Crate & Barrel Bamboo Toast Tongs With Magnet
Saved
View
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products?Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale.
Yes

New! You can now save this product for later.

I wedge my tongs into the slots of my toaster for storage, but the idea of a magnetized pair also appeals — you can stick these to the sides of your toaster or on the fridge.

Magnetic Wooden Toaster Kitchen Tongs, Walnut
Saved
View
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products?Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale.
Yes

New! You can now save this product for later.

Williams Sonoma Breakfast Toaster Tongs with Holder
Saved
View
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products?Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale.
Yes

New! You can now save this product for later.

Wooden tongs tend to wear out over time and can also show burn marks; these sleeker silicone ones are a nice upgrade.

Zeal Silicone Duck Toast Tongs
Saved
View
Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products?Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale.
Yes

New! You can now save this product for later.

And I’m very taken with these duck-shaped tongs, featuring a grippy beak. They’d make a great gift for any toaster power users you know.

The Strategistis designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the bestacne treatments,rolling luggage,pillows for side sleepers,natural anxiety remedies, andbath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.

Tags:

Every Toaster Needs a Pair of Toast TongsYour product is saved! You’ll receive emails when your saved products go on sale.Manage preferences.