A thermometer rant

[WillTravelForFood]

You'll never know how much you've come to appreciate your Thermoworks instant read temperature probe until you're forced into a situation where you have to use an old school "takes 5 secs to measure" temp probe (analog or digital)

[Huskee]

It's amazing how fast we can get spoiled. I have to tell myself that I survived on slow ones for years, first a dial instant read then a cheapy digital, and nothing bad happened.

[bmillin]

You really appreciate the instant read when you are trying to temp a rotisserie turkey!

[realdocBBQ]

I have a 2-3 second one, couple actually, including a Thermopop. I think I would appreciate the speed and ease of a Thermapen, but I cant justify the expense right now.

[Jfrosty27]

I can’t believe I actually used the poke it test for steaks before finding the Pit! No wonder I ruined so many steaks in those days.

[realdocBBQ]

I used to use the poke method, or, well, the squeeze method, with my tongs. But I worked as a steak cook at 2 different places with open air grills, so I did probably thousands of steaks from the same suppliers for a long time. I wasn't always 100%, as we all know, sometimes you just get a tough piece of meat, but I was most always 'in the ballpark'.

[Panhead John]

tbob4 Last time I used the poke it test, I got the crap slapped out of me.

[texastweeter]

Panhead John and a prescription of penicillin.

[bbqLuv]

WillTravelForFood That is not much of a rant. Please try again.

[smokenoob]

I remember when WWW meant World Wide Wait, and 5 seconds was lightning quick! 😁

[Spinaker]

THis is so true. I got Thermapens for my friend's "birthdays" But really.......it is just because I am wanting to have one at their house when I am over there cooking.

[jfmorris]

Haha. This is why I got my father and kids all Thermopops. I use a Thermapen, and wanted to at least know there was something decent over there when I came to eat steak or such.

[Steve B]

Same reason I got my sister a Thermopop.

[texastweeter]

Sam for the inlaws, a mavric remote thermometer too, lol.

[smokin fool]

Old or new technology it don’t matter what I use, I can screw up both

[WillTravelForFood]

I can’t believe I actually used the poke it test for steaks before finding the Pit!

We were listening to a Local Radio Show where they had a "Famous" chef on to talk about their restaurant and cooking and food and whatnot.

As a good radio host should do, they asked the question, "What is a tip you have for home cooks to make a perfect steak?" right before going to commercial.

We sat in the parking lot for five minutes through all the commercials for their answer.

<home improvement store ad>

<insurance ad>

<some car ad>

<roofing ad>

<a jewelry ad>

<some local sales promotion>

<a soda ad>

<hot tub ad>

<a cell phone ad>

<a fast food ad>

<more radio promo bits>

Finally! Back to the show!

We turned up the volume so we could be sure to hear the special advice to be bestowed upon us:

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"If you want to get a steak perfectly medium rare, just poke it with your finger until it feels like that web of skin by your thumb"

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Silence filled the car as we stared at the radio in disbelief.

One would think that a Famous Chef would say something along the lines of "get yourself a thermometer and temp the meat, looking for 125-130 degrees"

'Cause all of us in The Pit know that different people have different skin and muscle tone. That thumb/fist skin that feels like a nice medium rare to a young 35 year old may feel more Pittsburgh rare for someone that's a wee bit older.

Worst food advice ever.

The radio host was all, "ooooh, what a great idea. Oh, I see -- the steak should feel like this does on my hand! What a great tip!"

What a wasted time listening to the radio that day.

Remember kids: go hug your instant-read thermometer today.

our steaks will thank you for it.