If the temperature is under 160, leave the burger on the grill and wash the tip of your thermometer with dish soap and water. As the temperature of each burger reaches 160 degrees or higher, transfer to the clean serving platter using your clean spatula. Keep raw and cooked patties separate. Do not begin cooking any remaining raw patties until you have removed all the cooked patties from the grill. Wash your hands again.
Contaminated hands can transfer food-borne germs to hamburger buns or other food items.
Get 'em while they're hot. Encourage your guests to eat the burgers while they're still hot. A note about hot dogs Because they are cured and vacuum packed, frankfurters are generally considered safe. However, a recent, serious illness outbreak caused by Listeria monocytogenes traced to hot dogs and cold cuts demonstrates that virtually any food is vulnerable to bacterial contamination. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before and after touching uncooked hot dogs.