Written by adam on Jan 24, 2006
Learning Doneness: The Hand Test Method
There is a really easy way to learn how well done your steaks are when grilling over the holy fires. I call it the hand method. I actually learned this method while watching one of those summertime barbeque cookoff shows on the Food Network. This method does actually require physical contact with the steaks, but it delivers a fairly accurate estimation of the doneness of your meat.
This is a visual thing, so see the pictures below:
By touching your thumb to each of your fingers, that meaty portion of the palm just below the thumb gets tougher and tighter as you move along towards the pinky. To use this method, you actually have to put your finger on the steaks, so be careful not to touch it right after you flip, else you'll need some aloe. Just press down in the middle of the steak. Press a couple of times in a couple of different spots. Now compare that stiffness to your hand test.
Now lick off the meaty juices.
Since winter of 2004, I have been exploring the world of cooking and helping out my fellow men in their quests to better themselves in the kitchen. My name is Adam Byrd, you can learn more about me and my mission on my