Le Creuset Black Silicone Tongs 24cm
The Le Creuset 24cm silicone tongs provide enhanced control for precise cooking tasks where maneuverability matters. This compact length offers superior handling for delicate operations — turning individual portions in smaller pans, plating with precision, working in crowded pans, or tasks requiring fine motor control. The silicone-coated tips resist heat up to 250°C whilst protecting delicate surfaces from scratches, making them safe for use with Le Creuset's enamelled cast iron, non-stick cookware, and other premium surfaces.
The shorter 24cm length trades some reach for improved control compared to longer tongs. This makes them particularly valuable for cooks who prioritize precision over distance from heat, those working with smaller pans or portions, and anyone who finds longer tongs unwieldy for detailed work. The stainless steel construction provides durability whilst the silicone tips offer secure grip without tearing delicate foods. Dishwasher-safe convenience ensures easy cleanup.
Key features:
- 24cm compact length: Shorter design provides enhanced control and maneuverability for precise cooking tasks
- Heat resistant to 250°C: Silicone tips withstand high cooking temperatures without melting or degrading
- Won't scratch cookware: Soft silicone protects enamelled cast iron, non-stick surfaces, and delicate cookware
- Enhanced precision: Shorter length offers better control for delicate food handling and plating
- Stainless steel construction: Durable metal core provides strength and precise control
- Secure food grip: Silicone tips hold food firmly without tearing or crushing
- Dishwasher safe: Easy cleanup after use without hand washing required
- Multi-purpose design: Suitable for turning, serving, plating, and precision tasks
- Scalloped tips: Enhanced grip pattern on silicone tips improves food control
- Black finish: Contemporary appearance coordinates with modern kitchens
- Le Creuset quality: Premium materials and construction meeting Le Creuset standards
These compact tongs suit cooks who prioritize control over reach — those working with smaller portions, plating with precision, or anyone who finds longer tongs cumbersome for detailed work. Whether cooking for one or two, working in smaller pans, or requiring enhanced maneuverability, the 24cm length provides advantages that longer tongs cannot offer.
What Customers Ask About Le Creuset 24cm Silicone Tongs
The 24cm length provides significantly enhanced control and precision for delicate tasks. The shorter reach means your hand movements translate more directly to the tips, improving accuracy when plating, turning small items, or working in crowded pans. They feel less unwieldy when performing detailed work. The compact size also makes them easier to store in smaller drawers. The trade-off is less reach into deep pots and slightly less distance from heat sources. Choose 24cm for precision-focused cooking, 30cm for general-purpose use with better heat protection.
For typical stovetop cooking in standard pans, 24cm provides sufficient distance for safety. Your hands remain above and away from direct heat sources. However, when working with very deep pots, large skillets, or tasks requiring reach into hot ovens, the shorter length provides less protection than 30cm tongs. Most home cooks find 24cm perfectly adequate for everyday cooking whilst appreciating the enhanced control. If you frequently work with very hot surfaces or deep vessels, consider having both sizes.
The 24cm tongs work perfectly well for family cooking — the length affects control and reach, not capacity. You can turn multiple chicken breasts, stir large stews, or handle family-sized portions. The shorter length simply provides more precision when doing so. They're particularly useful for tasks like plating individual servings from a large batch or working in pans where food is somewhat crowded. The size doesn't limit quantity handled, only the working style and level of precision.
Yes, the 24cm length works excellently for tableside serving. The shorter length provides precise control when serving individual portions, particularly valuable for plating dishes attractively or serving from smaller serving dishes. The compact size feels more elegant and less cumbersome than longer tongs for table service. Many users keep 24cm tongs specifically for serving whilst using longer tongs for cooking tasks requiring more reach.
Yes, the 24cm length fits more easily in standard kitchen drawers without protruding or requiring diagonal placement. This makes them practical for kitchens with limited drawer space. They also store more easily in utensil crocks or holders on countertops. The compact size is a genuine advantage for space-constrained kitchens whilst still providing full cooking functionality.
For standard home grilling, 24cm tongs work adequately, though you'll be closer to the heat than with longer tongs. They excel at precise food placement and turning on grills. For extensive grilling sessions or very hot charcoal grilling, many prefer longer tongs for the extra distance from heat. If you grill frequently and at high temperatures, consider 30cm or longer tongs for that specific task. For occasional grilling, these work fine with reasonable care.
24cm vs 30cm: Choosing the Right Length
When 24cm Excels
The compact 24cm length provides superior performance for precise cooking tasks, working in smaller pans (18-24cm diameter), plating with accuracy, turning individual portions or smaller items, cooking for 1-2 people, enhanced maneuverability in crowded pans, serving at the table with elegance, and storage in space-constrained drawers. The shorter length translates hand movements more directly to the tips, offering enhanced control for detailed work.
When 30cm Is Better
The longer 30cm length suits stirring deep pots and large vessels, maintaining greater distance from high heat, reaching into hot ovens safely, general all-purpose cooking tasks, working with larger pans or multiple items simultaneously, and grilling over high heat. The extra reach provides better heat protection and versatility for varied cooking tasks.
Practical Considerations
Many experienced cooks keep both sizes: 24cm for precision work and serving, 30cm for general cooking and high-heat tasks. If you can only choose one, consider your typical cooking style. If you primarily cook for 1-2 people in smaller pans and value precise control, choose 24cm. If you cook for families, use large pots frequently, or prioritize heat protection, choose 30cm. For most home cooks seeking a single all-purpose length, 30cm provides more versatility.
Heat Protection Difference
The 6cm difference in length translates to approximately 6cm less distance between your hands and heat sources. For typical stovetop cooking, both lengths provide adequate safety. The difference becomes more apparent when reaching into hot ovens, working over grills, or stirring very deep pots. Consider how often you perform these high-heat or deep-reach tasks when choosing between lengths.
Specifications
Care & Use Instructions
Before first use: Remove all packaging and labels. Wash the tongs in warm soapy water, rinse thoroughly, and dry. Inspect the silicone tips to ensure they're secure and undamaged. The tongs are now ready for use.
During cooking: Use the tongs for turning, stirring, plating, and serving. The 24cm length provides enhanced control for precise tasks whilst maintaining adequate distance from heat for most cooking operations. The silicone tips won't scratch cookware, making them safe for enamelled cast iron, non-stick surfaces, and delicate finishes. Grip food firmly — the scalloped silicone pattern provides secure hold without tearing.
Maximizing precision advantage: The compact length excels at tasks requiring fine control. When plating, turning small items, or working in smaller pans, you'll notice the enhanced precision compared to longer tongs. Position your grip comfortably on the handles and use small, controlled movements for detailed work.
Heat limitations: The silicone tips resist heat up to 250°C, suitable for stovetop cooking, oven use, and grilling. The 24cm length provides less distance from heat sources than 30cm tongs, so exercise appropriate caution when working over very high heat or reaching into hot ovens. Avoid prolonged direct contact with open flames or heating elements. Don't leave the tongs resting on hot surfaces.
Protecting cookware: The soft silicone tips are specifically designed to protect delicate cookware surfaces. Use these tongs confidently with Le Creuset enamelled cast iron, non-stick pans, ceramic cookware, and any surface where metal utensils could cause scratching or damage.
Daily cleaning: The tongs are dishwasher safe — place in the cutlery basket or lay flat on the top rack. For handwashing, use warm soapy water and a soft sponge or brush, paying attention to the scalloped pattern on the silicone tips where food particles may lodge. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a soft cloth or allow to air dry.
Removing stubborn residue: If food becomes stuck in the silicone grooves, soak the tips in warm soapy water for 10-15 minutes to loosen particles, then scrub gently with a soft brush. For grease buildup, a paste of baking soda and water applied with a cloth works effectively. The non-porous silicone resists staining and odour absorption.
Storage: The compact 24cm length stores easily in standard utensil drawers without requiring diagonal placement. Alternatively, place in utensil crocks or hang from hooks if the design includes a hanging loop. Ensure the tongs are completely dry before storing. Store away from sharp objects that could puncture or cut the silicone tips.
What to avoid: Don't exceed the 250°C heat limit — avoid direct flame contact or extremely high-heat cooking that could damage the silicone. Don't use sharp objects or knives on the silicone tips. Avoid harsh abrasive cleaners or scourers that could damage the silicone surface. Don't use the tongs as a pry bar or for tasks they're not designed for.
Checking for wear: Periodically inspect the silicone tips for signs of wear, melting, cracking, or peeling. If the silicone becomes damaged or begins separating from the metal core, replace the tongs. Well-maintained silicone tongs should last years with normal use.
Why Buy From Art of Living?
Founded in Reigate in 1972, we've spent over five decades helping customers select quality kitchen tools. We've been twice nominated for the Excellence in Housewares award for customer care. We stock Le Creuset utensils because they protect your cookware investment whilst delivering professional-grade performance.
Our Guarantees to You
- ✓ No Quibble Returns - Even Used Items
- ✓ Half-Price Accidental Damage Replacement (2 Years)
- ✓ Price Match Guarantee
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Frequently Asked Questions
Return them anyway. Our no quibble guarantee covers used items - if they don't do what you wanted, we'll refund you. This applies even after you've used the tongs multiple times. We've offered this guarantee since 1972.
Valid for 2 years from purchase date. If you accidentally damage the tongs (such as melting the silicone tips or bending the handles), we'll replace them at half the current retail price with proof of purchase and evidence of damage. Photos are acceptable.
Standard delivery to mainland UK addresses can take up to 7 working days, but is usually 3-4, and is free for orders over £49. Next day delivery may be available for £9.95 on orders placed before 1pm Monday to Thursday, depending on your location and our stock levels. You can also collect from our shops in Cobham or Reigate, or our warehouse in Redhill.
Choose 24cm if you prioritize precision control, work primarily with smaller pans, cook for 1-2 people, or have limited storage space. Choose 30cm for general all-purpose use, better heat protection, working with deep pots, or family-sized cooking. Many cooks find having both sizes valuable for different tasks. If choosing only one, 30cm provides more versatility for most home cooks.
Absolutely — many experienced cooks keep both 24cm and 30cm tongs for different purposes. Use 24cm for precise work, plating, serving, and small-pan cooking. Use 30cm for general cooking, deep pots, grilling, and tasks requiring more heat protection. Having both sizes allows you to choose the optimal tool for each specific task.
No, 24cm tongs work perfectly well for everyday cooking in standard pans. They provide adequate distance from heat sources for safe cooking whilst offering enhanced control. The limitation is primarily when working with very deep pots, reaching into hot ovens, or high-heat grilling where extra distance proves beneficial. For typical stovetop cooking, 24cm is entirely practical.
Yes, the silicone tip material and heat resistance are identical between sizes. Both protect Le Creuset enamelled cast iron and non-stick surfaces equally well. The only difference is length, which affects reach and control but not cookware protection. Choose based on your preference for precision versus reach, not cookware safety.
Yes, the compact 24cm length often feels more comfortable and controllable for those with smaller hands. The shorter overall length means less leverage to manage, potentially reducing hand fatigue during extended use. The weight is also slightly less than 30cm tongs. Many users with smaller hands specifically prefer 24cm tongs for these ergonomic reasons.
For standard home woks, 24cm tongs work adequately, though 30cm provides better reach into deep-bowl woks. The shorter length offers enhanced control for precise stir-frying and food manipulation. If you frequently cook in very large or deep woks, longer tongs provide more comfortable reach. For typical wok cooking, 24cm offers a good balance of control and reach.
Professional chefs typically keep multiple tong lengths for different tasks. 24cm tongs (often called 9-inch in professional settings) are commonly used for precise plating, working in smaller pans, and detail-oriented cooking. Professionals choose tool length based on specific task requirements rather than using one size for everything. The Le Creuset quality makes these suitable for professional environments.