Thermapen Instant Read Thermometer

This is another gadget that you've got to have in your bag of tricks. When you're cooking a steak on high heat, waiting an extra 20 seconds to get a temperature from a cheap thermometer can be the difference between a perfect medium rare and medium. Don't cut your steaks in half to check the doneness! This Instant Read Thermometer will give you an accurate read within 5 seconds, and you don't have to mutilate the food.

Once you get pretty good at it you can tell when a steak is done by pressing it and seeing how it responds. If it's medium rare, it will still be springy. But until you've got that skill mastered, an excellent instant read thermometer is a critical tool.