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Had a guy at a tailgate in Austin show me why he never uses a thermometer

I was at a BBQ competition tailgate outside Austin last fall, and this pitmaster named Dale noticed me checking my brisket with a probe every few minutes. He pulled me aside and said, 'You're cooking with your eyes and your hands, not a gadget.' Then he showed me how he judges doneness by feel - poking the flat with his finger. I still use a thermometer most of the time, but his confidence made me rethink things. Has anyone else had a pitmaster give them advice that went against all the standard rules?
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2 Comments
cole_robinson
People get so hung up on gadgets and numbers they forget the basics. Same thing happens with mechanics who can't diagnose an engine without plugging in a computer.
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willow_ellis
Hard agree on this one tbh. Everyone wants the fancy tool but half the time you just need to listen to what the car is actually telling you lol.
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