OXO · Non-Stick Kitchen Gadgets & Utensils
OXO Good Grips 9" Nylon Tongs
Lower concern. Nylon tongs unlikely to contain PFAS.
OXO Good Grips nylon tongs are uncoated food-contact tools. Nylon itself is not a typical PFAS vector; no third-party testing or brand disclosure available.
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Material
Nylon with stainless steel core/handle
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
Category baseline
cookware is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
OXO Good Grips 9" tongs use nylon (polyamide) as the gripping head with a stainless steel inner core/handle. Nylon is thermoplastic and stable at typical cooking temperatures (up to 200-220°C for many nylon grades), meaning it resists melting or decomposing during normal stovetop use. The stainless steel core provides structural integrity and is chemically inert. The main exposure pathway is heat-induced leaching or off-gassing if the nylon degrades, which is unlikely under proper use conditions.
The brand's record and disclosure
OXO is a privately-held kitchenware company with no major public safety recalls or lawsuits specific to this tongs model on record. The brand does not publish detailed material safety data sheets or PFAS-absence certifications, though it maintains basic product liability standards consistent with US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) compliance. OXO has not been flagged in regulatory databases for cookware-related contamination or undisclosed hazards in recent years.
How it compares in its category
Nylon tongs are a standard, lower-cost option compared to silicone or all-metal alternatives. Nylon is more heat-resistant than some plastics (e.g., polycarbonate) and avoids the BPA concerns associated with older polycarbonate cookware handles. Silicone tongs typically cost more but tolerate higher heat (up to 260°C) and avoid any nylon-specific leaching concerns; all-stainless tongs eliminate polymers entirely but conduct heat to the hand. OXO's tongs occupy the mid-range: affordable, adequate for stovetop work, not premium.
If you buy it
Use these tongs for stovetop cooking at moderate heat (avoid prolonged contact with direct high flames or sustained temperatures above 200°C). Hand wash rather than use a dishwasher to minimize thermal stress and extend nylon life. Inspect the nylon head periodically for discoloration, brittleness, or surface cracks; replace if degradation is visible, as this could indicate polymer breakdown. Store away from direct sunlight and heat sources between uses to prevent gradual material fatigue.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Nylon degradation at high temperature
Nylon can release monomers or oligomers if heated above its glass-transition temperature (typically 60-80°C for nylon 6/6, though bulk material remains stable to 200+°C). Direct exposure to open flame or sustained high heat could cause localized degradation; normal stovetop use with food contact is unlikely to trigger this.
Leaching of unreacted nylon precursors or plasticizers
No specific reports of nylon tongs from OXO leaching harmful chemicals into food. Nylon formulations used in food-contact kitchenware are subject to FDA indirect food-additive regulations and typically contain minimal residual monomers if properly manufactured.
Mechanical degradation and microplastic shedding
Over years of use, nylon gripping surfaces can wear, fray, or shed microscopic particles, especially if repeatedly scraped or used on rough cookware surfaces. No toxicological threshold is established for ingestion of small nylon particles, though avoiding visible flaking is prudent.
Stainless steel core corrosion or nickel exposure
OXO uses 18/10 stainless steel in most Good Grips products, which is nickel-containing but corrosion-resistant and FDA-compliant. No recalls or complaints specific to nickel leaching from OXO tongs have been documented; risk is minimal for non-nickel-sensitive users.
Heat transfer to hand (handle design risk)
OXO Good Grips tongs are designed with ergonomic handles to insulate the hand from the metal core; this is a design strength, not a hazard. Standard kitchen safety (not touching hot metal) applies, as with any tongs.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 78% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
Safer alternatives in Non-Stick Kitchen Gadgets & Utensils
GreenPan
Platinum Silicone Tongs
silicone, stainless steel handle
Silicone tongs lower PFAS concern, but verify specific batch claims independently
⚠Risky category by default
GreenPan
Williams Sonoma Greenpan Premiere Collection Wide Tongs
stainless steel with silicone handle
Stainless steel tongs with PFAS-free claim; lower concern for non-coated utensil.
⚠Risky category by default
T-fal
Tefal Ingenio K2060714 Steel Food Tongs
stainless steel, bare uncoated
Bare stainless steel tongs, no coating risk for PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
More non-stick kitchen gadgets & utensils grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.