How to Check the Temperature of Your Grill
Hand Thermometer for Outdoor Cooking
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If you’re camping or simply do not have a thermometer on your grill, use the “hand test” to gauge the temperature of your grill. Here’s how.
First, if your grill has its own built-in thermometer, use it!
If not, here’s how to check the temperature of your flame and estimate the temperature reading (°F) of your grill.
- Hold your palm about 3 inches above the grill where the food will be cooking: over the coals (or in front of a reflector oven).
- Count “one-and-one, two-and-two,” and so on (each pair is roughly equivalent to one second) for as many seconds as you can keep you hand still before pulling it away.
- Then check the chart below for the corresponding temperature.
“Hand Test” to Check Temperature of Grill
Hand Check
|
Temperature
|
Temperature Reading
|
7 to 9 seconds
|
Low (slow)
|
250° to 300°F
|
6 ot 7 seconds
|
Medium-low
|
300° to 350°F
|
4 to 5 seconds
|
Medium (moderate)
|
350° to 400°F
|
2 to 3 seconds
|
Medium-high (hot)
|
400° to 450°F
|
1.9 second or less
|
High (very hot)
|
450° to 500°F
|
Internal Temperature for Meat and Poultry
It’s important to have certain foods (especially meats) reach the right temperature for both safety and taste. For example:
- Beef Burgers: 3 to 5 minutes per side on high heat until 160°F internal temperature for medium
- Steaks (1/4 to 1/2 inch thick) such as flank and New York strip: 3 to 5 minutes per side on medium-high heat until 145°F internal temperature
- Steaks (1 to 1-1/2 inches thick) such as rib-eye and porterhouse: 3 to 5 minutes per side on medium-high heat, then 4 to 6 minutes indirect heat (covered) until 145°F internal temperature
- Chicken Breasts (boneless, skinless): 5 to 6 minutes per side on medium heat until 165°F internal temperature
- Chicken Cutlets: 2 to 3 minutes per side on medium heat until 165°F internal temperature
- Chicken Thighs (boneless): 4 to 5 minutes on medium heat, turning once, until 165°F internal temperature
- Turkey Burgers: 5 to 7 minutes per side on medium heat until 165°F internal temperature
- Pork Chips (1/2 to 1 inch thick): 3 to 5 minutes per side for bone-in and 2 to 5 minutes per side boneless on medium-high heat until 145°F internal temperature
- Sausage Links: 10 to 15 minutes turning occasionally at medium-high heat until 145°F internal temperature for pork and 165°F for chicken
See more meats with minimum internal temperatures for cooking.
Grilling Tips
Once meat and poultry are finished cooking on the grill, let them rest for 5 minutes for a more flavorful taste.
Here are 10 grilling tips from the pros to ensure the most mouthwatering taste—including delicious recipes for the grill!
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