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Does your finger know when your steak is finished?
http://www.cookaholics.org/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=1233		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Tim [ Wed Mar 02, 2011 9:38 am ]
Post subject:  Does your finger know when your steak is finished?
Hi,

One of my kids if a sous-chef at a local club. He uses his finger to check their steaks. I know that he does an excellent job at providing rare to medium-well done steaks without ever using a thermometer. Yet, when he comes over for dinner and cook's a steak, he does no better than I do and frankly does a poor job. (Not that he would ever admit this!) I believe that my finger is not the problem. I think the problem is the process and the steaks.

    At work:
    He checks maybe 30 steaks every night.

    Every steak is the same cut. (This week boneless strip, next week tenderloin)

    Every steak is identical. (USDA Prime, 6 ounce, 1 1/4", wet-aged)

    Every steak is cooked the same. (Grill this week, cast iron pan next week)

Under these conditions, a finger or timer should provide consistent results. That thermometer just wastes time.

    At Home:
    You check 4 steaks once every ten days.

    We use many different cuts: (ribeye, flat iron, spyder, tri-tip, strip, tenderloin)

    Every steak is different: (Prime/Choice, 6 to16 ounces, 1 1/4" to 2", wet or dry aged)

    Steaks are cooked many ways: (Charcoal, cast-iron skillet or grill pan, steel or alum. skillet, reverse sear, slow smoke)

The fact is, my finger is good for somethings but not temping a steak! What do you think?

CC
Author:  Amy [ Wed Mar 02, 2011 9:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Does your finger know when your steak is finished?
Well, in culinary school they certainly teach you the hand method to judge how done a steak is, but I think I agree with you Tim. It's not foolproof. I think the amount of fat and the thickness can complicate matters.

Amy
Author:  Tim [ Wed Mar 02, 2011 10:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Does your finger know when your steak is finished?
Amy wrote:
Well, in culinary school they certainly teach you the hand method to judge how done a steak is, but I think I agree with you Tim. It's not foolproof. I think the amount of fat and the thickness can be complicate matters.

Amy


Thank you Amy. I think that most professionals do not understand that home cooks don't have the repetitions to be successful at this.

Tim
Author:  crystal [ Wed Mar 02, 2011 10:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Does your finger know when your steak is finished?
Uhm...going on a limb here. Mostly by looking. Rarely do I get fooled, and mostly take steak temp when doing low oven roasted before searing. :shock:
Author:  Paul Kierstead [ Wed Mar 02, 2011 10:34 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Does your finger know when your steak is finished?
I think if your steaks are not dead consistent you won't get even close to consistent results using the finger test. For the home cook its silly, just use a damn thermometer already (or look), there is no shame in it (though I will admit thermometer technique can take time to develop).

I expect your assessment of why it doesn't work is pretty much dead on.

I do get a rough assessment sometimes by pressing down a little and looking at the juices. Only works in good, consistent light, though, and is still kind of iffy then.
Author:  Tim [ Wed Mar 02, 2011 10:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Does your finger know when your steak is finished?
crystal wrote:
Uhm...going on a limb here. Mostly by looking. Rarely do I get fooled, and mostly take steak temp when doing low oven roasted before searing. :shock:


Crystal,

For that, I should give you the ..... :twisted:

CC
Author:  crystal [ Wed Mar 02, 2011 1:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Does your finger know when your steak is finished?
Well, it seems to work okay. We like fairly rare, so the focus is searing.
Double thick is different. Heck, maybe I should test..... :?
Otoh, bil had a saying.... :D I'll stop there.
Author:  Mortar and Pestle [ Wed Mar 02, 2011 8:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Does your finger know when your steak is finished?
I feel better now, I was thinking I was the only one that needed a thermometer.
Author:  JesBelle [ Wed Mar 02, 2011 10:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Does your finger know when your steak is finished?
I figure it's done when the smoke alarm goes off.
Author:  BeckyH [ Thu Mar 03, 2011 7:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Does your finger know when your steak is finished?
Yeah, it's cooking the same steak, essentially, over and over that makes you accurate on that steak. I'll use a thermometer for anything more than 1/2 " thick. Any thing thinner is just getting seared.
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