ysabetwordsmith | Exploding Turkeys

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This article explains why inserting a frozen (or even thawed but damp) turkey into a pot of boiling oil causes an explosion.

Allow me to compare some popular methods of turkey preparation:

* deep frying -- adds unhealthy fat, sometimes explodes and starts a fire, occasionally kills people

* brining -- adds unhealthy amounts of salt

* smoking -- reasonably safe and healthy

* roasting -- a highly safe and healthy cooking method

* slow cooking -- a highly safe and healthy cooking method, especially if you add vegetables

Given that we have methods which are safe, healthy, and tasty it seems imprudent to choose less healthy or more dangerous methods. I propose that death by exploding turkey is grounds for a Darwin Award.

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Crossposts: https://ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com/6427433.html

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

ysabetwordsmith

Microwaves have a "thaw" function, though it doesn't seem very effective. It is even less effective the larger a block of material.

What's the physics of the result?

I extrapolate that one possibility would be half-raw and half-overcooked, as I've seen that happen in other cases.

*ponder* Or maybe the differences would again be explosive, since some things -- especially potatoes, even diced ones -- explode in microwaves.

And grape halves can make plasma arcs!

From:

acelightning73

You don't want to see what happens when someone microwaves a whole egg in its shell.

From:

ysabetwordsmith

I am pretty sure that would explode, glue piece of shell to the inside of the oven, and if you're particularly unlucky, get egg and/or shell fragments through the vent holes. O_O

From:

acelightning73

It means you need to buy a new microwave. They tell you to prick a tiny hole in the shell - which they used to recommend for hard-boiled eggs, and if your grandma has an egg pricker, borrow it. That doesn't completely prevent it from exploding, but it might reduce the force somewhat.

From:

cmcmck

Apparently explosions have resulted from the turkey act too!

Yet jacket potatoes work fine in a microwave- I sometimes part cook them that way and finish them off in the oven to crisp up that lovely skin.