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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cole_robinson5mo ago

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_ellis5mo ago

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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