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The Best Metal Skewers: A Must-Have BBQ Tool!
Written By Review Team at the Kitchen Institute
There’s nothing quite like the sizzle of perfectly grilled food—and metal skewers can help you achieve grilling greatness. Whether you’re whipping up juicy kebabs, veggie medleys, or mouthwatering shrimp, quality skewers make all the difference. But not just any skewer will do. You want ones that are sturdy, easy to handle, and can hold your food securely without spinning or sliding around. To help you find the right set, we’ve reviewed a wide range of metal skewers and considered factors like durability, ease of use, length, handle comfort, and overall value. Ready to elevate your grilling game? Let’s dive into our top picks for the best metal skewers of 2025, including our best overall pick, the Proud Grill Skewers.
Detailing the Best Metal Skewers of 2025
Proud Grill Company Metal Skewers
Best Overall
If you’re a grilling enthusiast who loves preparing diverse kabobs, the Proud Grill Slide & Serve BBQ Skewers offer a nifty solution. This set of four stainless steel metal skewers shines with its innovative design, making the grilling experience both fun and efficient. One of the standout features is how these skewers hold food securely and easily. Thanks to their unique design, you won’t face the common frustration of food spinning around as you attempt to flip it. This ensures even cooking and allows for hassle-free sliding on and off during preparation and serving.
Beyond functionality, the skewers also boast the best overall fun design, ideal for impressing guests with an appealing plate presentation. Whether you’re grilling beef, pork, chicken, vegetables, or shrimp, these skewers accommodate a variety of ingredients, maximizing grill space without compromising on quality. The reusable stainless steel material also means these skewers are built to last, adding value for money. Overall, the Proud Grill Slide & Serve BBQ Skewers emerge as a smart choice for anyone keen on making kabobs better and more enjoyable.
G & F Products Metal Skewers
Bonus Storage Case
The G & F Products BBQ Skewers stand out as a noteworthy choice for anyone passionate about grilling. These 23-inch stainless steel flat metal skewers, with their heavy-duty construction, offer durability that withstands high heat without bending or rusting. The 2 mm-thick stainless steel assures users of their stability and long-lasting usage, making them a reliable tool for both backyard barbecues and outdoor adventures. One of the key features of these skewers is their flat blade design, which effectively prevents food from spinning, ensuring even cooking and a stress-free grilling experience. This thoughtful design detail makes them particularly useful for grilling an array of foods, from meats to vegetables.
Adding to their appeal, the skewers come with ergonomic wooden handles that provide a comfortable and secure grip, keeping your hands safely away from the heat. The inclusion of a stylish camouflage carry bag enhances their portability, allowing you to easily store and transport them. Whether you’re a seasoned grill master or a novice, these skewers deliver dependable performance, making them a valuable purchase for enhancing your grilling endeavors.
OXO Metal Skewers
No Spin Flat Skewer
The OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Grilling Skewers offer an innovative solution for grilling enthusiasts who love making kabobs, especially during the summer. This set of six metal skewers comes equipped with a flat design that effectively prevents food from spinning while on the grill, ensuring even cooking and perfect charring every time. Unlike traditional round skewers, these prevent the frustrating issue of ingredients rotating unpredictably. The sharp points allow for easy loading of your favorite meats and vegetables, while the wide handles enable secure flipping using tongs, enhancing your grilling experience.
What makes the OXO skewers particularly practical is their user-friendly design, which includes a thumb-sized divot to effortlessly slide cooked food onto your plate. This thoughtful feature ensures that transferring food from skewer to plate is both safe and convenient. Additionally, the flat handles nest neatly together, making off-season storage hassle-free and saving valuable kitchen space. Being dishwasher safe, the skewers are easy to clean, adding to their appeal. For anyone serious about grilling, these skewers present a reliable and efficient option.
LANNEY Metal Skewers
Easiest to Maintain
The LANNEY 17″ Kabob Skewers for Grilling present a practical upgrade from traditional bamboo or wooden alternatives, addressing many common grilling frustrations. Crafted from food-grade stainless steel, these metal skewers boast a durability that resists rust and corrosion over time. The robust design ensures they won’t bend or twist, eliminating the need for soaking before grilling. Their flat, wide blades securely hold various ingredients without the risk of spinning, ensuring even cooking. The 17-inch length is versatile enough for various grill sizes, keeping your hands safely away from the heat. Additionally, the ergonomic one-piece handle provides comfortable control and won’t heat up, making it easy to maneuver with tongs or by hand.
One of the standout features of these skewers is their easy-to-clean surface, which prevents food residue from sticking. They are also dishwasher safe, offering a hassle-free cleanup experience. The set includes a convenient storage bag, making it easy to transport and store the skewers when not in use. Whether you’re grilling meat, poultry, or vegetables, these reusable metal skewers deliver a reliable and efficient grilling experience. For those seeking quality and convenience, these skewers are a worthy addition to any barbecue toolkit.
Norpro Metal Skewers
Most Durable Build
If you’re on the hunt for metal skewers that promise practicality and durability, the Norpro Stainless Steel 12-Inch Skewers are worth a closer look. These skewers boast a flat, wide design that effectively prevents food from rotating, ensuring even and thorough cooking from all angles. Whether you’re grilling chunks of succulent beef, pork, or delicate vegetables like tomatoes and mushrooms, these skewers securely hold your ingredients in place. This feature particularly excels in maintaining the integrity of your grilling endeavors, delivering consistently impressive results.
Because they are crafted from quality stainless steel, the Norpro skewers are designed to withstand regular use without compromising their structure. Additionally, the rounded top offers a comfortable grip and doubles as a convenient hanging point for easy storage. Norpro, a brand established in 1973, continues its legacy of high-caliber kitchenware with these skewers, focusing on innovation and superior craftsmanship. For anyone serious about their grilling tools, investing in this set could enhance both the ease and outcome of your cooking sessions.
Metal Skewers: A Complete Buyer's Guide
When grilling season hits, having the best metal skewers can make all the difference between a perfectly grilled kebab and a disappointing cooking experience. Metal skewers are a grilling essential, offering durability, ease of use, and great heat conduction for evenly cooked food. Unlike wooden skewers that burn easily and require soaking, metal barbecue skewers provide hassle-free use, consistent grilling results, and can last for years if you pick the right ones. With so many metal kabob skewers available, looking closely at key attributes can help you find the best metal skewers suited to your grilling style. In this guide, we’ll break down the important factors you should check before buying, so your next cookout is a guaranteed success.
Material
The type of metal used to craft your grilling skewers will determine their durability, heat conduction, and overall ease of use. Stainless steel skewers are by far the most popular choice, as they resist rust and corrosion, even when exposed to moisture and harsh outdoor conditions. They’re also easy to clean and dishwasher safe, making them a hassle-free choice. Premium stainless steel skewers, such as those made from food-grade 304 stainless steel, offer excellent heat conduction and are highly resistant to warping or bending under high heat. Another quality option is chrome-plated steel skewers, which typically provide excellent longevity but may eventually chip or wear down over time with frequent use. Always look for metal grilling skewers clearly labeled as food-safe, rust-proof, and corrosion-resistant to ensure you’re getting reliable quality.
Length
The length of your metal BBQ skewers plays a crucial role in your grilling convenience and cooking results. For grilling larger cuts of meat, shrimp, or veggies, choose skewers at least 12-16 inches long to accommodate plenty of food and make flipping easy. Longer skewers, around 17-20 inches, can comfortably sit across your grill and give you extra grip room, so your hands stay safely away from the high heat. However, if you’re cooking smaller items like cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, or bite-sized meat cubes, shorter skewers around 8-10 inches might suit your needs better. Keep in mind the size of your grill when choosing length—having metal kebab skewers that comfortably fit across your cooking surface ensures even cooking and prevents accidental drops. A good rule of thumb is to choose metal grilling skewers slightly longer than your grill width, giving you ample room to rotate and flip them easily. Ultimately, the best skewer length depends on your grilling style and the types of food you prefer.
Shape and Design
Metal skewers come in several shapes and designs, each affecting how well they hold food and how easy they are to handle during grilling. Flat blade-style skewers are a popular choice because their design effectively prevents food from spinning or sliding around during cooking—something round skewers sometimes struggle with. Flat metal skewers also provide a better cooking surface, allowing food to cook more evenly. Another reliable choice is dual-prong or double-pronged skewers, designed to hold food securely by preventing rotation and slipping even better than single-prong designs. Twisted metal skewers, meanwhile, allow better heat distribution and are easier to grip when turning. Many skewers also feature handy looped handles or ring-shaped ends, making them easy to rotate on the grill with tongs or oven mitts. Consider the ease of use and food stability you prefer when choosing the best metal kabob skewer design for your needs.
Handle
A skewer’s handle significantly impacts your grilling comfort and control, especially when handling hot foods and open flames. Metal skewers often come either with metal loop handles or wooden handles. Metal loop-handled skewers are easy to grip with tongs, dishwasher-safe, and usually more durable overall. However, metal handles may become extremely hot during grilling, requiring you to use heat-resistant mitts or gloves. Wooden-handled skewers offer the advantage of staying cooler, allowing you to comfortably rotate and flip skewers with your bare hands. However, wooden handles are not always dishwasher-safe, and repeated exposure to moisture over time can cause the wood to deteriorate or crack. Some premium skewers feature silicone or plastic-coated handles designed to stay cool to the touch, offering a balance between comfort, durability, and ease of maintenance.
Ease of Cleaning
Nobody likes spending extra time scrubbing skewers after a cookout, so ease of cleaning should factor into your decision. Smooth, polished stainless steel skewers are typically easiest to clean, as food remnants slide off easily after a quick soak or a round in the dishwasher. Skewers with twisted designs or complicated shapes may require extra scrubbing to fully remove charred food and grease. Dishwasher-safe skewers can dramatically cut down your cleaning time, especially if you regularly grill. Chrome-plated skewers are relatively easy to clean at first, but eventual chipping or peeling can make them harder to maintain over time. To simplify cleanup, opt for flat, straight skewers made from rust-resistant stainless steel, as these typically clean up quickly without extra hassle.
Storage and Accessories
Finally, consider how easily your metal barbecue skewers store away. Some metal skewer sets come with protective storage cases, covers, or fabric pouches, making them easy to store safely and neatly. Cases not only help keep your grilling skewers organized but also protect them from dust, dirt, and moisture when they’re not in use. Also, look for any included accessories—some premium skewer sets offer specialized cleaning brushes or protective tip caps to avoid poking while storing. Choosing skewers with integrated loops or hanging rings allows convenient hanging storage as another handy option. Getting metal skewers that come with thoughtful storage solutions or accessories adds convenience and value to your purchase.
By carefully considering these features, you’re sure to find the best metal skewers for your grilling needs and enjoy delicious, hassle-free barbeque time after time.
People Also Asked
How do I clean metal skewers?
After using your metal skewers, soak them in warm soapy water for a few minutes. Then, use a non-abrasive scrubber to remove any food residue. Rinse them thoroughly and dry them immediately to prevent rusting.
Can I use metal skewers in the oven?
Yes, metal skewers can be safely used in the oven. However, they will become very hot, so always use oven mitts or tongs to handle them.
How do I prevent food from sticking to metal skewers?
To prevent food from sticking to your metal skewers, you can lightly oil them before threading the food. Also, certain foods like meat should be at room temperature for less sticking.
What type of metal are these skewers made of?
Most metal skewers are made from stainless steel due to its durability, heat resistance and corrosion resistance.
My metal skewers are rusting, what do I do?
If your skewers are made of stainless steel, they shouldn't rust. If you see rust, it's likely that something is contaminating your skewers. To remove rust, try scrubbing the skewers with a mixture of baking soda and water.
Can I put metal skewers in the dishwasher?
While many metal skewers are dishwasher safe, it's always best to check the product details or user manual for the specific skewers you have. If in doubt, hand washing is always a safe option.
Are there any safety tips for using metal skewers?
Always handle metal skewers with care as they can become extremely hot and may cause burns. Use oven mitts or tongs to turn them. It's also important to ensure that they are thoroughly cleaned before and after each use.
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