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Vollrath
In Stock
Commercial Tongs | Versagrip Flat Tongs | 16 Inch Green Handle | Vollrath HW996
£38.27
/ exc vat
£45.92/ inc vat
- 20-Gauge Stainless Steel
- Springless Design
- Insulated Kool Touch Handle
- 16-Inch Length
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Product Overview
Stepping into the world of professional kitchen tools, these Vollrath Versagrip tongs are a real standout. They're not your average flimsy set from a high street shop; this is a proper piece of kit designed for the relentless pace of a commercial kitchen. Crafted from heavy-duty stainless steel and featuring a signature heat-resistant green handle, they’re built to grab, turn, and serve with absolute confidence, day in and day out.
These are tailor-made for chefs, caterers, and food prep professionals who take food safety seriously. The 16-inch length keeps hands safely away from sizzling pans and hot buffet displays, while the distinct green handle makes them a cornerstone of any HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) colour-coding system, instantly designating them for use with salads, vegetables, or other specific food groups to prevent cross-contamination.
Ultimately, the Vollrath Versagrip tongs 16 inch offer a brilliant blend of robust construction, clever safety features, and ergonomic design. The springless mechanism means they’re incredibly easy to clean and far more hygienic than their coiled counterparts. If you’re looking to upgrade your kitchen utensils to something that’s built to last and designed with the modern professional in mind, these are a fantastic choice.
Key Features and Benefits
- 20-Gauge Stainless Steel: A seriously tough build that won’t bend or break.
- Springless Design: Makes them incredibly hygienic with no tricky food traps.
- Insulated Kool Touch Handle: Keeps your hands cool and safe from nasty burns.
- 16-Inch Length: Puts a safe distance between you and hot surfaces.
- Green Colour-Coding: Helps you nail your HACCP plan and avoid cross-contamination.
- Permanently Bonded Handle: It’s on for good, so no slipping or peeling.
- All-Natural Antimicrobial Properties: Gives you an extra layer of defence against bacteria.
- Vollrath Versagrip Flat Tongs Design: Provides a firm yet gentle grip on all foods.
Technical Specifications
- Brand: Vollrath
- SKU: HW996
- Dimensions: 38(H) x 137(W) x 406(L)mm
- Length: 16 inches / 406mm
- Weight: 0.21kg
- Colour: Green Handle
- Material: 20-Gauge Stainless Steel
- Heat Resistance (Handle): Colour safe up to 107.2°C
- Heat Resistance (Functional): Fully functional up to 176.6°C
- Key Feature: Springless, antimicrobial, permanently bonded insulated handle
Expert Review and Insights
Vollrath has a reputation for making gear that just works, and these tongs are no exception. They feel solid in the hand, and the balance is spot on for a 16-inch tool. The springless design is the real winner here – it’s a simple change that makes a huge difference to sanitation and reliability in a fast-paced professional setting.
Sophie Brooks – Chef Tools Expert View Profile →
- Pro: The hygienic springless design is a breeze to clean, a huge plus for food safety.
- Con: The 16-inch length is a bit long for very fine plating work.
Case Study: Real Business, Real Results
The Garden Bistro in York, a bustling eatery known for its extensive salad and vegetarian options, needed to tighten up its cross-contamination procedures. Their old, mismatched tongs were causing confusion during busy services, posing a real HACCP risk.
"We brought in a full set of Vollrath's colour-coded tongs, with the green ones reserved exclusively for our salad and veg station. The difference was immediate. The team can identify the right tool in a split second, and the build quality is fantastic. They just feel right, and they’ve made our kitchen noticeably safer and more efficient."
Robert Davies – Head Chef
The bistro successfully streamlined its food handling process, virtually eliminating the risk of cross-contamination between its meat and vegetarian prep stations.
Installation and Maintenance Guide
Setting It Up
- Upon arrival, remove all packaging and recycle where possible.
- Wash thoroughly with hot, soapy water before the first use to remove any manufacturing residues.
- Assign the green-handled tongs to a specific food category (e.g., salads, vegetables) as part of your HACCP system.
- Brief your kitchen team on the colour-coding rule to ensure compliance.
Keeping It Going
- These tongs are commercial dishwasher safe for easy and effective sanitation.
- For manual washing, use a non-abrasive cloth to avoid scratching the stainless steel.
- Regularly inspect the bonded handle to ensure it remains secure and undamaged.
- Store in a clean, dry utensil holder or drawer to protect them from damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are these tongs safe to use in a commercial dishwasher?
A: Yes, they are designed to withstand the high temperatures and rigorous cleaning cycles of commercial dishwashers.
Q: What is the purpose of the green handle?
A: The green handle is for colour-coding as part of a HACCP food safety plan, typically used to designate utensils for vegetarian or salad preparation to prevent cross-contamination.
Q: How hot can the handle get before it's damaged?
A: The Kool Touch handle is colour-safe up to 107.2°C and the tongs remain fully functional in temperatures up to 176.6°C.
Q: Is the handle likely to peel or slip off with heavy use?
A: No, the insulated handle is permanently bonded to the stainless steel, ensuring it will not slip, peel, or come loose over time.
Q: What does 'springless design' actually mean for me?
A: It means there is no coiled spring at the hinge. This makes the tongs much easier to clean, more hygienic, and removes a common point of failure.
Q: Are these 16 inch kitchen tongs good for grilling?
A: Absolutely. The 16-inch length provides excellent reach, keeping your hands safely away from the heat of a grill or flattop.
Q: What makes 20-gauge stainless steel a good choice?
A: 20-gauge is a measurement of thickness. It signifies a sturdy, professional-grade construction that resists bending and can handle heavy food items without flexing.
Q: Will the flat tong design crush delicate foods?
A: The flat surface provides a wide, secure grip that is actually gentler on delicate items than tongs with scalloped or pointed ends, as it distributes pressure more evenly.
The Vollrath Promise: Engineered for the Professional Kitchen
When you choose Vollrath, you're investing in more than just a piece of metal; you're buying into a legacy of trust and reliability that's been forged in professional kitchens for decades. The brand is known for its no-nonsense approach to design, focusing on practical innovations that solve real-world problems for chefs. These Vollrath green Versagrip tongs are a perfect example. There are no gimmicks, just smart, purposeful features like the permanently bonded handle and the ultra-hygienic springless joint. This focus on durability and functionality means lower replacement costs, fewer mid-service equipment failures, and a safer, more compliant kitchen environment. It’s this commitment to building dependable, long-lasting tools that makes Vollrath a staple for professionals who can't afford to compromise on quality.
Explore more from VollrathWhy the Springless Design is a Chef’s Best Friend
Ever tried to properly clean inside the coil of traditional kitchen tongs? It’s a nightmare. That tiny, coiled spring is a perfect trap for food particles, grease, and bacteria. Over time, it can also weaken, rust, or snap, leaving you with a useless tool mid-service. Vollrath’s springless design cleverly gets rid of this problem entirely.
Think of it like a solid, one-piece hinge instead of a complex mechanism. With no spring, there are no hidden crevices for grime to build up in. A quick wipe or a cycle through the dishwasher and they are perfectly sanitised. This simple, robust design not only makes these heavy duty food prep tongs far more hygienic but also significantly more durable. It’s a small detail that makes a massive difference to food safety and long-term reliability in your kitchen.
Who Should Buy This?
- Restaurant & Pub Kitchens: Ideal for line cooks needing reliable, heat-safe tongs for grilling, frying, and plating mains safely.
- Event Caterers: Perfect for serving from hot buffet lines, ensuring staff safety and clear food station designation.
- Delis & Salad Bars: Use the green handle to strictly manage vegetarian and salad prep, preventing cross-contamination with meat products.
- Food Production Facilities: A must-have for assembly lines where HACCP compliance and durable, easily sanitised tools are non-negotiable.
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Add the ultra-reliable Vollrath Versagrip Tongs 16 inch to your toolkit today for safer, more efficient food handling.