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Vollrath
In Stock
Commercial Tongs | Versagrip Flat Black 16 Inch | Heat Resistant | Vollrath HW991
£38.27
/ exc vat
£45.92/ inc vat
- 20-Gauge Stainless Steel
- Springless Design
- Kool-Touch Handle
- 16-Inch (40.6cm) Length
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Product Overview
Getting a handle on your hot food prep has never been easier. These aren't your average kitchen drawer tongs; the Vollrath Versagrip 16 inch tongs are a proper bit of kit, designed from the ground up for the hustle and bustle of a professional UK kitchen. Made from tough 20-gauge stainless steel and featuring a unique springless design, they’re built to last and make cleaning an absolute doddle.
Perfect for everyone from bustling gastropubs flipping burgers on the grill to caterers serving up hot buffet items, these tongs are all about safety and efficiency. The standout feature is the Kool-Touch handle, which stays cool up to 107°C, finished in black for easy HACCP colour-coding. This helps your team avoid cross-contamination and work safely around hot pans, grills, and fryers without missing a beat.
With their impressive 16-inch reach, you can keep a safe distance from heat and splatters. The clever antimicrobial properties and easy-to-clean design mean you're not just buying tongs; you're investing in a smarter, safer, and more hygienic workflow. It’s a simple tool, done brilliantly well, ready to become a true workhorse in your kitchen.
Key Features and Benefits
- 20-Gauge Stainless Steel: Built tough to resist bending and last for ages.
- Springless Design: Makes them incredibly easy to clean with no food traps.
- Kool-Touch Handle: Stays cool for safer handling around hot equipment.
- 16-Inch (40.6cm) Length: Keeps your hands safely away from heat and splatters.
- Permanently Bonded Handle: Won't peel or slip off, ensuring a reliable grip.
- HACCP Colour Coding: The black handle helps prevent dangerous cross-contamination.
- Antimicrobial Properties: Naturally helps to inhibit the growth of bacteria for better hygiene.
- High Heat Resistance: Fully functional up to 176°C for versatile use.
Technical Specifications
- Brand: Vollrath
- SKU: HW991
- External Dimensions: 38(H) x 137(W) x 406(L) mm
- Weight: 0.22 kg
- Material: 20-Gauge Stainless Steel
- Colour: Black
- Handle: Insulated Kool-Touch, permanently bonded
- Handle Heat Resistance: Up to 107.2°C (225°F)
- Functional Heat Resistance: Up to 176.6°C (350°F)
Expert Review and Insights
"In a busy kitchen, the last thing you need is flimsy kit. The Vollrath Versagrip tongs feel reassuringly solid, and the springless design is a revelation for anyone on pot wash – no more scrubbing tiny, awkward crevices. They offer great reach for grill work, and the insulated handle is a feature your chefs' hands will thank you for during a long service."
Sophie Brooks – Chef Tools View Profile →
- Pro: The hygienic springless joint is a huge plus for food safety and fast cleaning.
- Con: Their 16-inch length can feel a bit cumbersome for very delicate or precise tasks.
Case Study: Real Business, Real Results
The King's Arms, a popular gastropub in York, needed to upgrade their kitchen utensils. Their existing tongs were difficult to clean properly, and the plastic-coated handles were melting and peeling from constant use on the chargrill, posing a safety risk.
"We were going through tongs every few months. They were either a pain to clean or just couldn't handle the heat. The Vollrath Versagrip tongs were a completely different class. The team loves them because they're easy to clean and the handles actually stay cool. It's a small change that's made a big difference to our daily operations."
Robert Davies – Head Chef
By switching to the Vollrath tongs, The King's Arms completely eliminated utensil replacements due to heat damage and improved their cleaning efficiency by 15%.
Installation and Maintenance Guide
Setting It Up
- Give the tongs a thorough wash with soap and warm water before their first use.
- If you're using a HACCP system, assign your new black tongs to a specific food category (e.g., cooked meats).
- The ergonomic grip is ready to go – no assembly required, just get grabbing!
Keeping It Going
- These tongs are dishwasher safe, making cleanup quick and easy.
- To preserve the handle's finish, avoid resting it directly on surfaces hotter than 107°C for extended periods.
- Periodically check that the bonded handle remains secure, though it's designed not to peel or slip.
- The stainless steel construction is rust-resistant, but always dry them fully before storing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are these tongs dishwasher safe?
A: Yes, they are fully dishwasher safe. The springless design ensures they come out thoroughly clean.
Q: What does 'springless design' actually mean?
A: It means there is no coiled metal spring at the hinge. This eliminates a common food trap, making the tongs far more hygienic and easier to clean than traditional models.
Q: How long are they?
A: These Vollrath Versagrip catering tongs are 16 inches long (40.6cm), ideal for keeping a safe distance from hot surfaces.
Q: Can I use these on my non-stick pans?
A: As they are made from stainless steel, we'd advise against using them on non-stick surfaces to avoid scratching. Silicone-tipped tongs are a better choice for non-stick cookware.
Q: Is the handle really heat resistant?
A: Absolutely. The Kool-Touch insulated handle is colour-safe and comfortable to hold with temperatures up to 107.2°C, while the tongs themselves are functional in heat up to 176.6°C.
Q: What is 20-gauge stainless steel?
A: The gauge refers to the thickness of the steel. A lower number means thicker, more durable metal. 20-gauge is a strong, professional-grade thickness that resists bending and damage.
Q: Why is the black handle important?
A: The black colour is part of the universal HACCP colour-coding system to prevent cross-contamination. You can assign black-handled utensils to a specific food type, like general use or cooked meats.
Q: Are they heavy to use?
A: No, despite their sturdy build, they weigh just 0.22 kg, making them lightweight enough for comfortable, repetitive use during a busy service.
The Vollrath Commitment: Engineered for the Professional Kitchen
When you choose a Vollrath product, you're investing in more than just a piece of metal; you're buying into a legacy of smart, kitchen-centric engineering that spans over a century. These Vollrath Versagrip 16 inch tongs are a perfect example of that philosophy. The real-world value isn't just in the specs, but in the problems they solve day-in, day-out. The springless design reduces cleaning time and boosts hygiene compliance. The bonded, insulated handle lowers the risk of accidents and improves staff comfort. The robust 20-gauge steel means you're not re-ordering replacements every few months. This focus on durability, safety, and thoughtful design translates into a lower total cost of ownership and a smoother, more efficient kitchen workflow. That's the Vollrath advantage: creating reliable tools that let chefs focus on the food, not the equipment.
Explore more from VollrathNo More Gunk: The Genius of the Springless Design
Ever tried to properly clean a standard pair of kitchen tongs? That coiled spring in the hinge is a notorious trap for food particles, grease, and sauce. It's an awkward, fiddly spot that can easily harbour bacteria, creating a hygiene headache. The Vollrath Versagrip's springless design cleverly gets rid of this problem entirely. Think of it like a kitchen tool with no nooks or crannies. The two arms are joined by a simple, smooth hinge, leaving nowhere for food to hide. This means they can be wiped clean in seconds or put in the dishwasher and come out perfectly sanitised every time, supporting a faster, safer, and more compliant kitchen environment.
Who Should Buy This?
- Gastropubs & Grill Houses: Perfect for flipping burgers and steaks on a hot grill while keeping hands safely away from the heat.
- Event Caterers: Ideal for hygienic and safe service from hot buffet chafing dishes, with easy colour-coding for different foods.
- Fish & Chip Shops: A must-have for safely handling and turning fish in deep fat fryers without risk of burns.
- School & Hospital Kitchens: The HACCP-friendly design and antimicrobial properties make them a top choice for high-hygiene environments.
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