Bamboo Tongs for Salad, Teflon-pan Cooking, Barbecue, Grill, Etc

by londobali in Living > Kitchen

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Bamboo Tongs for Salad, Teflon-pan Cooking, Barbecue, Grill, Etc

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These kind of bamboo tongs are traditionally used as a must-have kitchen utensil around here, but nowadays it's a rare sight to see them even in the traditional markets.
"What would you need them for?" and "buy this (palstic/steel) one instead!" are standard answers when I try to ask if they have some in their shops.

I use them mostly for frying on the Teflon-coated pans, they wont scratch the coating and will stand the heat.
It's easier to flip and pick up small foods on the pan like sausages, nuggets,  etc.. 
Also great for barbecue and grilling.. Might get burned slowly, but hey, it's made of sustainable material, just make another one..

The pictures will show you how it's constructed. It's very simple.

You'll need a piece of bamboo, and cutting tool (at least a knife).
Be careful when working with bamboos as their split and edges can be razor-sharp!!
You'd want to round the edges after cutting them to the size and shape you want,  using the knife or sandpaper.

The joints (hinges?) are made by splitting one end of the pieces to small slits. This one is about 3 to 4 mm (precision is not mandatory). Then criss-crossing the two ends into each other. To hold the hinge (?) in place, you'll need to tie something in the plane direction between the tongs. 
The plastic rope in the picture which was used to hold the joints (hinges?) is ugly. I have changed mine with a stainless steel wire.