That time I laughed at my buddy's $15 grill thermometer

Back in 2018 my buddy Tom showed up at a cookout with this cheap little probe thermometer. I told him I'd been grilling for 10 years by feel and didn't need it. He challenged me to check a chicken thigh I was sure was done. It was only 145 degrees, not the safe 165. Now I use one every time and haven't dried out a single piece of meat since. Anyone else have a tool they thought was useless but swear by now?

2 comments

2 Comments

price.ray8d ago

Man I felt this one. Honestly I was the exact same way, thought I could just tell by looking at it or poking it with my finger. Then I undercooked some chicken for a family thing and felt like a total idiot. Now I won't even throw a burger on without checking temps first, it's just not worth the risk.

claire_young768d ago

Wait, is that right about chicken needing a temp check though? I mean I totally get what you're saying about being careful, but chicken is one of those meats where I thought you kinda have to be more careful with it. Like sure, burgers can have issues too, but chicken has that whole salmonella thing, so I always check it way more carefully. Actually now I'm second-guessing myself, haha. But I do agree that using a thermometer is the way to go, it just saves you from that horrible feeling when you cut into it and see pink.