How to grill the perfect steak without a thermometer
It'll determine your experience - no one enjoys eating a well done piece of steak when the desire was medium-rare. You've gone to the trouble to prep your steak and get the grill ready - take the time to to grill the perfect steak.
No thermometer - No worries!
All the grand, professionals have swanky meat thermometers, but what happens if you just wanted to grill a piece of steak on an impulse and don't have one?
In the event you don't have a thermometer, you can use the coveted hand trick to determine the steak core temperature.
Ball of thumb test
It may not be as accurate as using a meat thermometer, but it can help as an orientation and you won't need anything but your hand for it.
| Cooking level | Core temperature °C |
| Rare | 45 - 52°C |
| Medium Rare | 53 - 56°C |
| Medium | 57 - 59°C |
| Well Done | 60 - 63°C |
Rare
Place the tips of your thumb and pointer finger lightly against each other without pressure. Use your other hand to pinch the ball of the hand below your thumb.
When your steak feels similarly soft - it is rare.
Medium Rare
Place the tips of your thumb and middle finger slightly against each other.
Use your hand to press the muscle below your thumb. When your steak feels similarly elastic, it is medium rare.
Medium
Place the tips of your thumb and ring finger softly against each other. The ball of the thumb now feels a bit stiffer and requires more pressure to push.
When your steal feels like this, it's cooked to medium.
Well done
Place the tips of your thumb and your pinky softly against each other. Use your other hand to press the ball of your thumb. The muscle feels quite hard now.
This is how your steak will feel when it is cooked well done.
