Test Your Grill's Readiness with Your Hand - CHOW Tip

Jamie Purviance, author and grillmaster, can tell if a grill is ready by how long he can hold his palm over the surface.

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TRANSCRIPT
If your grill doesn't happen to have a thermometer on it, there's a really easy way to gauge the temperature. Just hold your palm about four to five inches over the charcoal grate and if you can leave it there for two to four seconds then you have to pull it away, that's hot, 450 to 550 degrees (F). After five to seven seconds, thatís a medium fire (350 degrees F). Pull it away after eight to ten seconds, that's low (250 degrees F). If you can leave it there for more than ten seconds, then it's time to add more coals.