Bear Paws Meat Claws: Shred Barbecue Like a Bear
Plastic claws that turn you into a barbecue-shredding grizzly for one glorious afternoon.
Shredding a pork shoulder with two forks is slow, awkward and oddly exhausting. Bear Paws offer a more dramatic option: a pair of handheld plastic claws with long, sharp prongs, gripped like brass knuckles. You dig in, pull apart, and a mountain of pulled pork appears in minutes while you growl quietly to yourself.
They look like something out of a monster movie. They work like a barbecue cheat code.
How do Bear Paws meat claws work?
Each claw has a handle across the top and a row of long, pointed prongs below. You hold one in each hand and pull them apart through cooked meat, and the prongs separate it into shreds. The brand says they work for pork, chicken, beef and more. They also double as lifters, so you can pick up a hot roast or turkey and move it from the grill or roasting pan to a cutting board.
They are molded from BPA-free nylon, and the listing rates them to handle heat as high as 475 degrees, so a hot grill or a dishwasher cycle will not warp them. They are listed as dishwasher safe and made in the USA. The brand also notes appearances on barbecue and food television shows and an award from the National BBQ Association, which is where these claws earned their fan base.
A practical tip: the prongs are sharp, so treat them with the same respect you would a knife and store them where kids will not grab them. They work best on meat that has been cooked until very tender, since tough meat will fight back no matter what tool you use.
Bear Paws meat claws: who they’re for (plus gift ideas)
Bear Paws are for backyard pitmasters, slow-cooker fans, game-day hosts and anyone who makes pulled pork, shredded chicken or brisket more than once a year.
They are also a fun gift for someone who is just getting into smoking meat, since shredding a big pork butt is one of the first moments where a proper tool makes an obvious difference. Anyone who cooks for big groups, church suppers or tailgates will appreciate how much faster shredding goes with a pair of claws instead of two forks and a lot of patience.
- Barbecue lovers with a smoker or grill
- Slow-cooker fans who make shredded chicken
- A grill-master bundle with the Perfect Bacon Bowl
- Father's Day gifts for the family pitmaster
Pros and cons
What we like
- Shreds meat much faster than forks
- Also lifts roasts and turkeys
- Rated to handle heat as high as 475 degrees
- Dishwasher safe
- Made in the USA
What gives us pause
- Sharp prongs need careful storage
- Only useful for very tender meat
- Plastic, not metal, so avoid direct flame
- Takes a bit of drawer space
FAQ
What can you shred with Bear Paws?
The brand says they work for pork, chicken, beef and more. They are best on very tender, slow-cooked meat.
Are Bear Paws heat resistant?
Yes. The listing rates the BPA-free nylon for temperatures as high as 475 degrees.
Can Bear Paws go in the dishwasher?
Yes. They are listed as dishwasher safe.
Can you use them to lift meat?
Yes. They can lift and handle roasts and turkeys as well as shred.
The verdict
Bear Paws meat claws are silly to look at and seriously useful on barbecue day. For more kitchen oddities, see the bicycle pizza cutter or our obscure kitchen gadgets roundup.