Nothing ruins a good pair of tongs like that first orange spot near the hinge. The good news: rust is mostly preventable, and a little of it is often fixable.
The short answer
Rust needs moisture and time. Don’t soak your tongs, wash them soon after cooking, dry them completely (hinge and spring included) and store them somewhere dry. Stainless steel resists rust well with that care. Carbon steel and cheap plated metal need extra attention.
Why do tongs rust?
Rust forms when the iron in steel reacts with water and oxygen. Stainless steel contains chromium, which forms a thin protective layer, so it resists rust far better than plain steel. But stainless isn't rust-proof. Salt, acidic food left on the surface, harsh detergents, bleach and long soaks can wear that layer down, and water trapped in the hinge or spring is a classic trouble spot.
Tongs made from carbon steel, or from cheaper metal with a thin plating, rust even faster once the surface gets scratched.
How to keep tongs rust-free
Step 1 · While you cook
Rinse as you go
A quick rinse between tasks keeps sauces, marinades and salt from drying on the metal, so there's less scrubbing and no soaking later.
Step 2 · At the sink
Skip the soak
Soaking is the fastest way to rust. If food is stuck on, use hot water and a brush instead. If you have to soak, keep it short.
Step 3 · Right after the meal
Wash promptly
Tongs shouldn't wait until morning. Warm, soapy water and a non-scratch sponge are all they need.
Step 4 · Before you put them away
Dry completely
Towel dry instead of air drying, especially in humid weather. Open the tongs and get into the hinge, the spring and the scalloped tips.
Step 5 · Every day
Store them dry
Keep tongs in a dry drawer, crock or hook, away from the sink and the steam from your dishwasher.
Good to know
Check the maker's care instructions too. Materials and finishes vary, and the manufacturer knows best, especially when it comes to the dishwasher.
Can tongs go in the dishwasher?
Many stainless tongs are labeled dishwasher safe, but long hot cycles, harsh detergent and sitting damp afterward can speed up spotting and wear on the hinge. Hand washing and drying right away is the safest bet. If you do use the dishwasher, pull them out and dry them as soon as the cycle ends.
How to remove light rust
Caught it early? Surface rust usually comes off:
- Baking soda paste. Mix baking soda with a little water, rub it on the spot with a soft brush, then rinse.
- A short vinegar soak. Soak just the rusty area in white vinegar for 15 to 30 minutes, scrub, then rinse well. Don't leave it longer, since acid is hard on metal too.
- Dry and protect. Dry thoroughly. For carbon steel, finish with a very thin coat of food-safe oil.
If the rust has pitted or flaked the metal, or it keeps coming back at the hinge, it's time for a new pair.
Dry tongs are happy tongs. Water left in the hinge is where rust starts.
Or skip the rust entirely
If rust keeps winning, you don't have to use metal for everything. Bamboo, plastic and silicone-tipped tongs can't rust at all, and they're great for serving, salads and nonstick pans. Keep a good stainless pair for the grill and high heat. Here's how the different tong materials compare.
Quick answers
Why are my stainless steel tongs rusting?
Usually from moisture left in the hinge, long soaks, salty or acidic residue, or harsh detergent. Stainless resists rust but isn't rust-proof.
Is it safe to use rusty tongs?
It's best not to. Clean off light surface rust before using them again, and replace tongs that are pitted or flaking.
How do I keep tongs from rusting in the dishwasher?
Take them out right after the cycle and dry them by hand, hinge included, or hand wash instead.
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