Here’s a Smart & Simple Way to Store Tongs in Your Kitchen

Kelli Foster
Kelli FosterCulinary Producer at The Kitchn
I'm a recipe developer, food writer, stylist, and video producer (and The Kitchn's Dinner Therapist), with more than 10 years professional experience. Since graduating from The French Culinary Institute, I've authored 3 cookbooks: Buddha Bowls, Plant-Based Buddha Bowls, and The Probiotic Kitchen.
updated May 11, 2022
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My biggest frustration with my kitchen utensil storage is the tongs. They simply do not stay closed. They always seem to get knocked, jostled, or bumped, which inevitably triggers them to spring open, disrupting any semblance of drawer organization.

Can you relate? If you keep tongs in a drawer as well, we’ve got a tip that will make storing them less frustrating.

Recently, one of our readers, Jaya, emailed to tell us about her favorite tip for kitchen drawer organization — storing tongs in an old cardboard paper towel tube. She says:

Metal tongs take extra space in the drawer. Solution for compact storage: use empty paper towel cardboard tube to store metal tongs.

In my kitchen I have one very wide drawer that serves as a storage space for all of my utensils. I keep silverware neatly organized on one side, and things like large salad spoons, spatulas and tongs, in a slightly less organized manner on the other side. I tried this tip out and found it was so useful!

Stored this way, tongs take up less space (always a bonus in compact kitchens!) and it prevents them from opening. It’s such a great idea! Thanks, Jaya!

More Good Ideas for Drawer Organization