In The Barbecue! Bible, Steven Raichlen recommends the “Mississippi test” for those who don’t have grill thermometers. Hold your hand about 6 inches above the coals or gas fire and count “one Mississippi, two Mississippi,” etc., until the heat causes you to pull away. The number of seconds you can hold your hand above the heat roughly corresponds to these temperatures:

• High heat (650 degrees) = 1 to 2 seconds
• Medium-high (400-450) = 4 to 5 seconds
• Medium (350) = 6 to 7 seconds
• Medium-low (300) = 8 to 10 seconds
• Low (250-275) = 12 to 15 seconds