How Hot is My Grill? Introducing the Hand Test.

0 comments

When grilling, it's essential to know how to test the heat of your charcoal. One common method is to use the hand test.

To do this, hold the palm of your hand a safe distance away from the charcoal, around 10-12cm above the cooking grate. Imagine a can of soft drink is on the grill directly above the coals, and your palm is resting on the top of the can. Remember to remove any flammable clothing, such as long sleeves, from your arm.

Pull your hand away from the heat before it becomes too uncomfortable. If you can only keep your hand above the charcoal for 2-4 seconds before needing to remove it, the heat is high. If you can keep it there for 5-7 seconds, the heat is medium. Finally, if you can keep your hand above the charcoal for 8-10 seconds, the heat is low.

Time Ranges

These time ranges correspond to different temperature ranges:

High heat is between 230°C to 290°C,
Medium heat is between 180°C to 230°C, and
Low heat is between 120°C to 180°C.

Conclusion

By using the hand test, you can be sure that your grill is at the right temperature for your desired cooking method.

Previous article Next article

Erik Refik

Owner, Sydney BBQs. Helping Australians cook over charcoal since 2019.

My passion for charcoal cooking started long before Sydney BBQs. Some of my earliest memories, from around six years old, are family picnics and weekend BBQs where charcoal was always at the centre of bringing everyone together. I loved the food so much that I'd eat until I was completely full and have to lie down.

By the time I was 17, I was hosting my own BBQs, inviting school friends over every chance I got. That passion never faded. Over the years it grew into an obsession with learning different cooking styles, experimenting with charcoal, fire and smoke, and exploring traditional BBQ techniques from around the world.

In 2019, my wife Suzie and I founded Sydney BBQs to share that passion with others. Since then, we've helped thousands of Australians find the right BBQ for their backyard while continuing to test, use and stand behind the products we sell. From Argentine parrillas and Cyprus grills to smokers, pizza ovens and charcoal BBQs, if it's on our website, there's a good chance I've cooked on it myself.

My goal is simple: to help people cook better food over fire and create the same memories around the BBQ that inspired me as a kid.