Buy one of those, once the temp of the center of the chicken is 165 degrees F then it's good to eat. Don't go by the color of the outside of the chicken, that doesn't tell you anything.
Thermapen's too rich for my blood but the twelve buck instant-read thermometer was a pretty good investment.
My waterstones. Especially 200,800,1000, and 4000 grit. My 8000 grit stone was a vanity purchase, not an investment.
Never cook cold steaks. Take them out about 30 minutes before you plan on grilling them. Rub in seasoning of your choice on both sides.
Get yourself an instant read digital meat thermometer. I use this one:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GRFHXVQ/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I like my steak medium. So I get my grill nice and hot (450F), throw room temperature steaks on the grill for 3 minutes. Flip, grill for 3 more minutes. Then test the temperature. For medium, 145F is the recommended internal temperature. So when the internal temp is around 140F and take the steak off the grill. If the temperature isn't 140F yet, put it back on for another 2 minutes. Once temp reach 140F. Let it rest for 5 minutes. Internal temp will rise another 5 degrees or so and cook a bit more after you remove from the heat.
The three most important things are to make sure the steak isn't cold. Cold steak sticks to your grill. And 2nd, make sure your grill is plenty hot so you sear the outside and trap the juices inside. Lastly, try to find steaks about the same thickness. If you have some steaks that are 1/4 inch, some that are 1/2 inch and some that are 3/4 inch thick, the cooking times will be all over the place.
Good luck!
I have this. Love it. It’s on sale now for $67
> Inkbird WiFi Grill Meat Thermometer IBBQ-4T with 4 Colored Probes, Wireless Barbecue Meat Thermometer with Calibration, Timer, High and Low Temperature Alarm for Smoker, Oven, Kitchen, Drum
Get a Weber and get started! Try a chicken first, then a brisket, work your way up to a pork shoulder (pork butt).
Some helpful accessories:
Charcoal chimney (gets coals fired up quicker) Food thermometer like this
You can buy meat thermometers that are meant to be left in the meat while it's cooking, and they can give you an alert when your meat reaches the appropriate temperature. Here is one example. This way, you don't have to worry about when to stick the thermometer in.
I love this Inkbird wifi thermometer with 4 probes battery has lasted me 32+ hours and has been an awesome tool to have
Where is your wireless thermometer?! I use an inkbird and I love it.
It's expensive, but I can't tell you how many other thermometers I went through to find this one that actually works for more than a year of grilling. Trust me. It is way way cheaper than going through the process I did. Bonus, the app is actually easy to use. Double bonus, the app actually works.
I have the Javelin by Lavatools, (amazon link) that is currently $25.99. I've had it for over a year, use it for brewing and cooking (with good sanitation practices) and haven't had an issue. Some report the hinge breaking though. Lavatools also makes a stick version for less than half the price and has the same precision.
As someone who has eaten meat their whole life, I wish I would've bought this YEARS ago. It is a massive game changer. You will always cook food safely, and accurately.
https://www.amazon.com/Lavatools-Javelin-Digital-Thermometer-Chipotle/dp/B00GRFHXVQ
There is three simple tips, with a few sub-tips, to ensure you always have an AMAZING turkey.
Brine your turkey. Can't speak to the benefits of a dry brine, but even 24 hours of wet brine will noticably improve the juciness and flavor of your turkey.
Don't cook stuffing in your turkey. You will only end up overcooking your turkey in an attempt to get the stuffing to the required temperature. What goes in the turkey caviity, you ask? I personally use a liberal amount of salt and pepper, quartered lemons, oranges, and onions, apple slices, smashed garlic cloves, and whatever herbs (fresh or dried) you like (can't go wrong with rosemary, thyme, and sage though).
Use a good thermometer. I have one like this that stays in the meat while it's in the oven, and it's a game changer. Never overcook your meat again.
On that note, START THAWING YOUR BIRD NOW. RIGHT NOW.
Not to freak you out too much, but you can get this superpower for 12 dollars
I use this cheap ThermoPro. Works just fine for home cooking.
Accurate accurate to ±0.9F in 3-5 secs. Backlight on one press, and magnet on the back to put on the fridge.
I have a Meater, but the connection isn’t very reliable. My go to efficient workhorse that has never failed me is the ThermoPro TP20. ThermoPro TP20.
ThermoPro TP20 Wireless Remote Digital Cooking Food Meat Thermometer with Dual Probe for Smoker Grill BBQ Thermometer https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GE77QT0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_vkbNRDrW2zjJF
You can actually get a meat thermometer that continuously checks the temperature of the meat while it is cooking. It will beep when it's done and that way you will know for certain that the meat is done. You don't even have to remember the right temperatures, the thermometer remembers for you.
This model is the one I have and you just have to press the button with the type of meat on it and shove it on in there.
Easy, useful meat thermometer.
Peace of mind and tasty food. Everyone wins!
Not a probe, but a Javelin instant read is my favorite. For an inexpensive thermometer, the two I have have lasted 3+ years so far. https://www.amazon.com/Lavatools-Javelin-Digital-Thermometer-Chipotle/dp/B00GRFHXVQ
I've got one, but it's from back when they called it Thermowand. Got it in 2014 and it's still doing fine.
Oh, and the price seems to be down to $25 on Amazon now.
I bought the ThermoPro. I really like it. Sadly the probe clip that comes with it is pure nonsense, so I had to order a different one from Amazon but that's a small price.
https://www.amazon.com/ThermoPro-Wireless-Digital-Cooking-Thermometer/dp/B01GE77QT0
It's a necessity. Both a good probe for instant reads (something like this) and something you can leave in while you bake (I use and really like this) are must-haves. I swear I don't work for ThermPro and I'm not a shill. They're just the cheapest options on Amazon and I find they work great and hold up.
I have a cheap $14 Thermopro off Amazon and I have zero complaints. It works fast and feels relatively sturdy. If it breaks on me, I may replace it with a thermopen, but so far I’ve had no trouble. I am someone who babies their possessions, though, so if you are harder on your tools, the more expensive option may be better for you. If $14 feels like a low risk spend, I’d advise you to gamble on the cheap version.
This is what I use, and the best part is that it's on sale through Amazon right now. Fantastic little wireless thermo, has changed everything since I've gotten it. Great price, very accurate, I love that it has a meat and grill probe, and the wireless range is great I can chill on the couch or pretty much anywhere else in the house or yard while my smoker does its thing and only tend to it when I need to. The alarms are great as well, if I nod off or slip up on paying attention it's got me covered.
ThermoPro TP08S Wireless Digital Meat Thermometer for Grilling Smoker BBQ Grill Oven Thermometer with Dual Probe Kitchen Cooking Food Thermometer https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014DAVHSQ/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_MRZgEbTYY9QYR
Just make sure your tea is 60c or lower when you drink it. You can get a cheap cooking thermometer to check pretty easily. If you want to cool it down faster, add milk or pour it between different containers after it's steeped to your liking.
Also, if I understand the study correctly, this risk only applies to people drinking more than 700ml per day of >60c tea. So if you only drink a cup (250ml) a day of hot tea you should be okay too.
Even at 700ml+ with temps above 60c, the increased risk isn't that significant. A 90% increased risk isn't even twice as much as people who don't drink hot beverages. That's like the difference between a 0.004% risk of getting esophegal cancer and an 0.008% risk (made up numbers, but hopefully this puts things into perspective).
Check this out at Amazon ThermoPro TP20 Wireless Remote Digital Cooking Food Meat Thermometer with Dual Probe for Smoker Grill BBQ Thermometer https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GE77QT0/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_ZA1KQGE1ZRHED47KXED3
I've had that one for 3 years I believe and it works great! I haven't had any trouble at all out of it.
This is the exact one I use, pairs with your phone and you can set multiple alarm points off the 4 probes
ThermoPro TP 20. Here’s the Amazon link
ThermoPro TP20 Wireless Remote Digital Cooking Food Meat Thermometer with Dual Probe for Smoker Grill BBQ Thermometer https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GE77QT0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_P21DJX5H6EFEQ830B67V?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I build the fire on one side of the grill, stacked up charcoal and two chunks of smoking wood, I use cherry, and I light a couple of briquettes and place the wood on top so it starts smoking immediately. The steaks only take an hour or so to hit temp, 120f, so I want to get as much smoke as possible. I also put my steaks on a cold grill. I start the steaks at the same time I start the grill so they come up slowly together. you can let your steaks sit out and come to room temp if you want, these were fresh from the refrigerator when they went on, I season at the grill and use this Thermometer I smoke up to 250f. When the steaks are close I heated the cast iron inside on the stove to give it a head start and then heated it the rest of the way on the grill. Oil in the pan, Pat the steaks dry and sear 2-3 mins a side alternating every minute.
$99 but there’s a 30% coupon so it’s $69
Inkbird WiFi Grill Thermometer IBBQ-4T, Rechargeable Wireless Meat Thermometer with 4 Probes, Calibration, Timer, High and Low Alarm, Digital WiFi BBQ Meat Thermometer for Smoker, Oven, Kitchen, Drum
I have this InkBird and love it. But it is a bit pricy. I had to have wifi connections on this one and I absolutely love it
Inkbird IBT-4XS Bluetooth... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076QDC5VL?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Also, make sure you have a third-party thermometer, too. This one is really good and cheap, and allows you to monitor the temp at the grate and the temp of the meat. For your first low-and-slow cook, shoot for around 250 degrees and make small vent adjustments no closer than 15 minutes apart. Honestly, anywhere between 225 and 275 is fine. Eventually, you'll probably look into getting a fan and temp controller if your budget allows. That's what I did. I got tired of constantly monitoring and making vent adjustments.
Also check out www.amazingribs.com. There's a ton of great articles there that will help.