Now that grilling season is here many of you will be coking up plenty of BBQ and other grilled items. Needless to say, a properly calibrated thermometer can be a lifesaver in determining the internal temperature of the foods you cook.

This is crucial to make sure things are cooked and out of the “danger zone” but also it’s useful to determine other issues such as how hot a pork shoulder that you are smoking is. Internal temperature will determine if the pork is ready to pull or just to slice…HUGE difference. A thermometer takes the guess work out of it.

Now you do not need a high priced thermometer, a simple stick thermometer available just about everywhere, is perfectly acceptable. I used to recommend probe thermometers because of the potential they offer. However, after trying three of them only to have them crap out in weeks was enough for me…..they are all made in China and the quality is just not there. So please do not waste your money.

A stick thermometer will cost around $5-$10 depending on where you buy them. I am a big fan of visiting restaurant supply stores. They stock items that you cant find in grocery or specialty stores and they are much cheaper then you’d expect. Things like small wares, pots, pans, storage containers, serving ware and of course, stick thermometers.

Buy a few…then..learn how to keep them calibrated by watching the video above.