Do you rinse the spatula after the first couple of turns..

I didn’t until my wife and I got together… she’s a freak when it comes to stuff like that and is always on my case about swapping out tongs or spatulas.

Never really thought about doing it lol but when it comes to burgers I only flip once.

Is the inside of your burger getting hot enough to kill whatever you are worried about?

Medium is 145

I’ve got to give you credit. This is the first time I’ve ever seen this question asked on here

No to answer your question

Why would you put the burgers on the grill with a spatula?

I always set the burgers on the grill by hand.
I then go wash my hands before grabbing a spatula.
There's never a moment when the spatula touches raw meat.

quote:

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I didn’t until my wife and I got together… she’s a freak when it comes to stuff like that and is always on my case about swapping out tongs or spatulas.

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You know, you can show her the science of why that's unnecessary instead of just needlessly dirtying multiple kitchen utensils every time you cook

I actually throw away spatulas after using one time on uncooked meat. Just grab a new one for the rest of the cook.

I never considered it until I watched an America's Test Kitchen episode where they made sausage patties and swapped out the spatula after the first flip for safety.

I think about that episode every time I go to flip some patties. Then I proceeded to flip them with the same spatula as I've done my entire life. It's just more exhilarating now knowing there's some danger involved.

No. Let it ride.