Food Sticks & Skewers

Essential Guide to Food Sticks & Skewers: Choose the Right Tools for Better BBQs and Parties

Why Food Sticks and Skewers Matter

Think of skewers and food sticks as the unsung heroes of every backyard cookout, family dinner, and cocktail hour. They do the heavy lifting—literally—by carrying flavor, portioning bites, and turning a pile of ingredients into a presentable, fun-to-eat dish. Whether you’re threading marinated vegetables for a grill, securing a corn cob with holders, or garnishing cocktails with elegant metal picks, the right stick can make cooking and serving easier and more stylish.

Types of Skewers and What They’re Best For

There’s no one-size-fits-all skewer. From disposable bamboo sticks to heavy-duty stainless steel rods, each type has its strengths. Bamboo skewers are cheap and disposable—perfect for quick kebabs. Stainless steel stands up to heat and is reusable, making it ideal for frequent grillers. Forked skewers and V-shaped designs stabilize food so it doesn’t spin on the grill, while cocktail picks and corn holders add finesse to drinks and sides. Picking the right type depends on what you’re cooking and how often you want to use them.

Key Materials: Stainless Steel, Bamboo, and Silicone

Stainless steel is the go-to for durability and heat resistance. It won’t warp under high temperatures and cleans easily in the dishwasher. Bamboo and wooden sticks are lightweight, inexpensive, and compostable, but they’re single-use and can splinter if not soaked before grilling. Silicone-tipped or coated sticks combine grip with heat resistance and are great for delicate items like cake pops or shrimp that need gentle handling.

Spotlight: Zyliss Corn Cob Holder (4-pack)

If you love corn on the cob at summer barbecues, corn holders are a small investment that pays off. The Zyliss Corn Cob Holder set provides a simple, secure grip so you can butter and season without burning your fingertips. They’re excellent for kids and adults alike, making corn easier to eat and less messy. Small gadgets like this can elevate an ordinary meal into a more comfortable dining experience.

Why Corn Holders Make Sense

Often overlooked, corn holders prevent slipping and improve portion control. They’re also useful for parties where finger foods rule the table because they keep your hands clean while guests mingle and eat.

Spotlight: Georg Jensen Sky Cocktail Stick (6-pack, Stainless Steel)

Want a cocktail pick that looks as good as the drink it accompanies? The Georg Jensen Sky stainless steel cocktail sticks are sleek, durable, and classy. They’re perfect for olive-stuffed martinis, layered appetizers, and stylish garnishes. A metal pick adds a level of sophistication that wooden picks simply can’t match, and being reusable means less waste and better long-term value.

When to Choose Stainless Cocktail Picks

Use stainless picks for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres when presentation matters. They’re also great for times when you need a thin, strong pick that won’t break or absorb flavors, like in delicate canapés.

Spotlight: Lékué Cake Pop Sticks (50-pack, White)

Making cake pops at home or preparing dessert bites for a party? Lékué’s cake pop sticks are a solid choice. Sold in bulk, these sticks are designed to be sturdy enough to hold dense mixtures and slim enough to slide into a glaze without cracking it. They’re ideal for bakers who need consistent, food-safe sticks for batches of treats—think birthday parties, bake sales, and holiday get-togethers.

Baking Benefits of Dedicated Cake Pop Sticks

Dedicated cake pop sticks provide uniformity—each bite is similar in size and presentation. They also make assembly and storage easier because you can insert them into styrofoam or a cake stand for display and transport.

Spotlight: Dorre Carita Cocktail Sticks (6-pack, Stainless Steel)

Dorre’s Carita cocktail sticks are a practical mix of style and sturdiness. These small stainless-steel picks are great for garnishing cocktails or serving tapas. They’re less formal than design-forward picks but extremely useful when you need something reliable that won’t bend or discolor after a few uses.

Practical Uses Beyond Cocktails

Don’t limit them to drinks—use stainless cocktail sticks for small appetizers, mini skewers for fruit platters, or to secure sliders. Their compact size makes them versatile across occasions.

Spotlight: Forged Churrasco Olive Skewers V-shape & Forked Skewers (20 in, 24 in, 28 in)

For serious grilling, forged churrasco skewers are built to last. The V-shaped skewers help keep food steady while rotating on a spit or over coals, and forked skewers provide a secure hold for chunkier items. These longer skewers—roughly 20 in, 24 in, and 28 in—are ideal for large cuts of meat, whole vegetables, or multi-piece kabobs that need extra stability. They’re popular for Brazilian-style churrasco grilling where big pieces of meat are cooked on long skewers and carved tableside.

Choosing the Right Length

Shorter skewers are easier to handle for small kebabs and indoor broiling, while longer skewers are best for big outdoor grills and rotisseries. If you frequently cook for a crowd or prepare large cuts, opt for the 24 in or 28 in versions to keep food away from flames and allow for safe handling.

Spotlight: Laguiole Style De Vie Premium Pinchos Black

The Laguiole Style De Vie premium pinchos in black are an aesthetic and functional choice. These skewers often pair traditional design with modern materials, making them great for tapas, pinchos morunos, and elegant entertaining. If presentation is a priority—say, at a dinner party or restaurant-style event—premium pinchos give you that restaurant-quality look at home.

Where Premium Skewers Shine

Premium skewers are perfect for plated appetizers and events where you want each bite to look deliberate and composed. Their design can also provide a non-slip grip for guests as they eat standing up at cocktail receptions.

Care and Cleaning Tips for Reusable Skewers and Picks

Reusable skewers are an eco-friendly and economical choice, but they do need care. Stainless steel skewers and picks generally go straight into the dishwasher, but hand-washing preserves finishes and prevents discoloration. For stubborn char or grease, soak in warm water with a mild detergent and scrub gently with a non-abrasive sponge. Wooden or bamboo skewers should be discarded after use or composted if clean; soaking them beforehand reduces the risk of burning on the grill.

Storage and Longevity

Store metal skewers flat or in a long container to prevent bending. Keep cocktail picks and corn holders in a dedicated drawer so you can locate them quickly when entertaining. With proper care, stainless steel tools can last for years and become staple pieces in your grilling kit.

Creative Uses and Recipes You Can Try

Skewers are not just for the grill. Thread fruit and cheese for a breezy summer dessert, use cocktail sticks to hold club sandwiches together, or roast marshmallows over a fire with long forked skewers. Want a recipe idea? Try lemon-herb chicken skewers: marinate chicken chunks in lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and herbs, thread with bell peppers and onion, and grill until charred and juicy. The result is a crowd-pleasing dish with minimal cleanup.

Beyond Food: Decorative and Practical Uses

Skewers and decorative picks can also help identify drinks at a party by threading colored beads or small tags, or they can be used in floristry to support small stems in arrangements. Think of them as tiny, useful skewers of possibility.

Buying Guide: What to Look For Before You Click “Buy”

Before adding a set of skewers or picks to your cart, ask yourself a few quick questions: How often will I use them? Do I want disposable convenience or reusable durability? What size and shape work best for my cooking style? Look for stainless steel if you grill often, and choose V-shaped or forked designs for heavy or slippery foods. For parties, a mix of cocktail picks and decorative skewers will cover both function and style.

Price vs. Value

Cheap bamboo sticks are fine for one-off events, but if you barbeque regularly, invest in good metal skewers. Quality buys often pay off because they last longer, clean easier, and perform better on high heat.

Eco-Friendly Considerations

Sustainability matters more and more. If you’re eco-conscious, favor reusable stainless or silicone-coated skewers over single-use bamboo. When you must use wood, choose sustainably sourced bamboo and compost it after use. Reusable tools reduce waste and generally give you better performance long-term.

Final Tips for Mastering Skewer Cooking

Use even-sized pieces to ensure uniform cooking, leave a little space between items so heat can circulate, and pre-soak wooden skewers for at least 30 minutes to reduce burning. Rotate skewers regularly on the grill for even char, and let meat rest briefly before serving. Small habits like these turn good skewers into great meals.

Conclusion

Skewers and food sticks are small tools with big impact. From the convenience of Zyliss corn holders to the elegance of Georg Jensen stainless picks, and the heavy-duty performance of forged churrasco skewers in 20 in, 24 in, and 28 in lengths, there’s a solution for every cooking and serving need. Whether you’re a casual griller, a party host, or a home baker making cake pops, choosing the right stick can save time, improve presentation, and make food more fun to eat. Keep material, length, and intended use in mind, and you’ll find a set that becomes a staple in your kitchen toolkit.