Don’t trust your grill’s heat gauge? Can’t find your meat thermometer anywhere? This simple technique will solve the problem about checking how done your tri tip is.
Form the “okay” sign by touching the tip of your thumb to the tip of your index finger. The pad of flesh at the base of your thumb will feel soft — exactly the same way a rare steak feels when you poke the top with your forefinger.
Thumb to the tip of your middle finger: medium-rare.
Thumb to the tip of your ring finger: medium.
Thumb to pinkie: well-done.