* Steak is an easy, popular dish to serve at your next dinner party or event
* Impress your friends by reaching an even, juicy done-ness
* These tools will make your life easier, and your cooking more accurate
As the days finally start to get warmer, it’s time bring the grill out from storage, remove that cover, and get to work. Whether you’re cracking open a few beers and grilling up some steaks for the big game, or having a classy, multi-course dinner party, a good steak is always a crowd pleaser. There’s a lot of science that goes behind getting that juicy finish, as once you sear your meat, the proteins and sugars within it begin to break down, creating something called a Maillard reaction, which forms anywhere from 3,000 to 4,000 chemical reactions, and helps add to the complexity of flavor.
A protein called myoglobin is what gives raw beef that red color, due to the volume of slow twitch muscles that cows have. When the beef reaches 140 degrees Fahrenheit, the myoglobin oxidizes, which is what causes the meat to turn brownish in color. Upgrade your grilling approach with the tools below, that will help you with everything from keeping the meat warm during the grill to table transfer, to ensuring your meat is properly cook with a Smart thermometer.
1. Nordic Ware 365 Indoor/Outdoor Sizzling Steak Server
While you may have just finished grilling a steak to perfection, you now have the problem of quickly and elegantly getting it to the table. This advanced plate by Nordic Ware can be placed directly on the grill for a quick five minute pre-heating, and its stainless steel surface will remain warm, keeping your steaks sizzling.
Related Stories
2. AmazonBasics Premium 8-Piece Steak Knife Set
No more dinner plate massacres at your next BBQ. This eight-piece knife set from AmazonBasics features stainless steel that’s been forged from a single piece, making them a reliable, long-lasting addition to your cutlery. The edges are micro-serated, so you won’t have to hassle with additional sharpening, and each piece will come of in a clean slice. A word of caution, though: the craftsman-like nature of these knives mean that they are a hand-wash only affair.
3. ThermoPro TP-07 Wireless Remote Digital BBQ Grill Thermometer with Probe
Outfitted with a 6.5″ stainless steel probe, this meat thermometer is wireless, so once you’ve programmed in your desired settings, you can leave the grill for a few minutes to attend to other pressing kitchen demands (or grab a beer). The LCD screen is back-lit, and changes between three different colors depending on the temperature it reaches. Unlike other thermometers, this one features a long cable length, which not only gives you additional safety, but also protects the transmitter from oil and grease.
4. Cooking Stone- Complete Set Lava Hot Steak Stone Plate
This Hibachi Cooking Stone allows you to cook a delicious steak while sitting at your dining room table. Simply remove the hot lava stone and warm it using your oven or grill, place it in the stainless steel tray, grill it to your desired finish and serve it straight from your table. For added convenience, this set also comes with three ceramic dishes to store sauces, and a side dish to load up with your favorite veggies and starches.
5. MEATER Up to 33 Feet Original True Wireless Smart Meat Thermometer
Keep a close eye on your steak, even while you’re away from the grill. This thermometer by MEATER features one probe that’s outfitted with two different sensors, one to monitor internal meat temperatures, and one to monitor external or ambient temperatures. Simply download the free IOS and Android compatible app, and create customized notifications for different steps in the grilling process. Whether you’re busy trying to get side dishes ready or greeting guests, or you don’t want to miss a single second of the big game, there’s now a way to do everything else you need to do, while still cooking the perfect steak.