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Vollrath
In Stock
Commercial Tongs | Versagrip Flat Tongs | 16 Inch Blue Handle | Vollrath HW992
£38.27
/ exc vat
£45.92/ inc vat
- 20-Gauge Stainless Steel
- Springless Design
- All-Natural Antimicrobial
- Bonded Insulated Handle
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Product Overview
Getting a proper grip in a bustling professional kitchen just became a whole lot simpler. Introducing the Vollrath Versagrip Flat Tongs, a 16-inch powerhouse designed for chefs who refuse to compromise on quality or safety. These aren't your average kitchen drawer tongs; they are a purpose-built tool engineered for the demands of constant commercial use, combining robust construction with thoughtful, hygiene-focused features.
Specifically created for caterers, chefs, and any food-service business following HACCP principles, these tongs make food safety second nature. The distinctive blue handle helps prevent cross-contamination, while the heat-resistant, bonded Kool-Touch grip ensures comfort and control. Paired with a clever springless design and durable stainless steel, it’s the ultimate tool for plating, turning, and serving with absolute confidence.
If you’re tired of flimsy, hard-to-clean utensils and want a reliable partner for your food prep and serving line, the Vollrath Versagrip Tongs 16 Inch are a smart, long-lasting investment. They offer the perfect blend of strength, safety, and straightforward maintenance, allowing your team to focus on what they do best: creating fantastic food.
Key Features and Benefits
- 20-Gauge Stainless Steel: Resists bending and breaking for long-lasting kitchen use.
- Springless Design: Eliminates food traps, making cleaning quicker and more hygienic.
- All-Natural Antimicrobial: The handle material naturally helps to prevent bacterial growth.
- Bonded Insulated Handle: Stays cool to the touch and won't slip off.
- HACCP Colour Coding: The blue handle helps you easily separate tools for allergens.
- Heat Resistant Kool-Touch: Safely handle warm items with a grip rated up to 107°C.
- Generous 16-Inch Length: Keeps hands safely away from heat sources during cooking.
- High-Temperature Functionality: The tongs remain fully functional in temperatures up to 176°C.
Technical Specifications
- Brand: Vollrath
- SKU: HW992
- Dimensions: 38(H) x 137(W) x 406(L)mm
- Weight: 0.21 kg
- Material: 20-Gauge Stainless Steel
- Handle Colour: Blue
- Handle Type: Kool-Touch, Permanently Bonded
- Handle Heat Resistance: Up to 107.2°C (225°F)
- Overall Heat Resistance: Fully functional up to 176.6°C (350°F)
- Special Feature: Springless, easy-clean design
Expert Review and Insights
In a professional kitchen, it’s often the simplest tools that have the biggest impact on workflow and safety. The Vollrath Versagrip tongs are a perfect example of this. They’ve nailed the essentials: a solid, reliable build and a genuinely hygienic springless design. The colour-coded, cool-touch handle isn't just a gimmick; it’s a practical feature that really helps in a busy service environment.
Sophie Brooks – Chef Tools View Profile →
- Pro: The springless construction is brilliant for hygiene and speeds up cleaning time.
- Con: The flat tips offer less grip on round items than scalloped versions.
Case Study: Real Business, Real Results
The Salty Squid, a popular seaside chippy in Porthcawl, Wales, needed to streamline its handling of raw battered fish to avoid any contact with cooked products. They switched their old, mismatched utensils to a colour-coded system using Vollrath tongs.
"These blue tongs are now exclusively for our raw fish prep. There's no confusion, even during a frantic Friday night rush. The team feels more confident, and our entire process is safer and more professional. They are sturdy, easy to wash, and the long handle is a bonus near the fryers."
Owen Price – Owner
The change resulted in a marked improvement in their food safety process and a 15% reduction in prep station cleaning time between tasks.
Installation and Maintenance Guide
Setting It Up
- Wash thoroughly with soap and warm water before the first use.
- Assign the blue handle to a specific food category (e.g., raw seafood, allergens) as part of your HACCP plan.
- Store in a clean, dry utensil pot or rack to ensure they are ready for service.
Keeping It Going
- These tongs are commercial dishwasher safe for easy and effective sanitation.
- To protect the Kool-Touch handle, avoid resting it on hot surfaces above 107°C.
- Do not use abrasive scouring pads, as they can damage the stainless steel finish.
- Periodically inspect the tongs to ensure they maintain their shape and function.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are these commercial flat grip tongs fully dishwasher safe?
A: Yes, the entire unit, including the bonded handle, is designed to withstand commercial dishwashing cycles for easy cleaning.
Q: What does the blue handle typically signify in a kitchen?
A: In HACCP colour-coding systems, blue is most commonly used for handling raw fish and seafood to prevent cross-contamination with other foods.
Q: Can I use these heat resistant food tongs Vollrath on a hot char-grill?
A: The stainless steel part is fine for high heat, but the Kool-Touch handle is only heat-resistant to 107°C. It’s best for turning and serving, not for leaving propped on a hot grill.
Q: How long are these 16 inch kitchen serving tongs exactly?
A: The total length is 16 inches, which is 40.6cm, providing a safe distance from heat sources.
Q: What does '20-gauge' stainless steel mean?
A: Gauge refers to the thickness of the metal. 20-gauge is a sturdy, durable thickness for commercial utensils that resists bending and damage.
Q: Will the flat tips scratch my non-stick pans?
A: While less harsh than sharp forks, stainless steel can still potentially scratch non-stick surfaces. For delicate pans, silicone-tipped tongs are recommended.
Q: Is the handle soft or hard plastic?
A: The handle is a hard, insulated coating that is permanently bonded to the steel. It's designed for a comfortable, secure grip rather than being soft or squishy.
Q: Is the antimicrobial property a coating that will wear off?
A: No, it's an inherent property of the handle's material, so its antimicrobial benefits will last for the life of the handle.
The Vollrath Standard: Built for a Chef's Reality
When you choose Vollrath, you're investing in more than just a piece of metal; you're buying into a legacy of understanding what a professional kitchen truly needs. The Vollrath Versagrip tongs 16 inch are a prime example of this philosophy. They go beyond simple function to address the daily realities of kitchen life: the need for absolute hygiene, the demand for tools that can survive repeated drops and punishing shifts, and the importance of staff safety. The real value isn't just in the 20-gauge steel or the heat-resistant handle, but in the reduced risk of cross-contamination, the time saved in cleaning, and the confidence your team gains from using a tool that won't fail them mid-service. This isn't a disposable utensil; it's a small, smart investment in operational smoothness and long-term reliability.
Explore more from VollrathNo Springs, No Surprises: Why The Springless Design Matters
Ever tried to properly clean a pair of standard kitchen tongs? The weak point is always the coiled spring at the hinge. It’s a notorious trap for food particles, grease, and germs, making true sanitation a real chore. Vollrath’s springless design cleverly sidesteps this problem entirely by using a one-piece construction that flexes without needing a separate spring mechanism.
Think of it like the difference between a smooth, sealed worktop and one with deep, unsealed tile grout. The smooth surface is a breeze to wipe clean with no hidden corners for grime to build up, while the grout lines are a constant battle. These tongs are that smooth surface – there are simply no nooks or crannies for food to get stuck in, making them faster to wash and far more hygienic for your kitchen.
Who Should Buy This?
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Restaurant Kitchens
Essential for line cooks needing durable, colour-coded tools for safe handling of fish, allergens, or salads.
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Mobile Caterers
A reliable choice for buffet service, ensuring food safety standards are met on the go.
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Institutional Canteens
Perfect for schools and hospitals where HACCP compliance and preventing cross-contamination are top priorities.
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Delicatessens & Butchers
Ideal for handling different products cleanly, from cooked meats to fresh salads, with clear visual separation.
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