Showerthought: I used to laugh at probe thermometers until last weekend

I always figured real pitmasters just knew when meat was done by feel. But at a cookoff, my buddy's brisket was perfect while mine was dry. He showed me his temp probe and how it helped him hit the sweet spot. It made me think about how my dad would judge by time and smoke color alone. Now I see tools can help without taking away from the craft.

2 comments

2 Comments

alice12113h ago

You know, this isn't just about cooking. I see the same thing all the time with people who are good at their jobs. They get this idea that using a new tool or a guide means you don't really know your stuff. But it's more like... having a good map doesn't make you a bad driver, it just helps you get there without getting lost. My old guitar teacher hated tuner apps, said you should train your ear. Sure, but the app gets you to the right note faster so you can spend time actually playing. It's a shortcut, not a cheat.

the_betty7h ago

Ngl that guitar teacher take is so true. Tools just let you focus on the real skill part.