What is more American than a hotdog? A hot dog is classic food that is easy to prepare and makes most people (and their tummies) happy. Cooking them is only a few minutes and they are hot and ready to eat quickly.
Microwave cooking is simple and there are minimal wait times, right. There is usually no prep work and no messes to clean up. It is tempting to pop everything in a microwave for a quick zap however some foods really don’t belong.
Certain foods and materials can react in hazardous ways when put in a microwave due to the bombardment of non-ionizing radiation. Just like most metal materials some foods like carrots and hot dogs can cause a phenomenon called “arcing” causing foods to spark. While arcing isn’t actually overly dangerous it could potentially damage a microwave over time.
According to the USDA, the specific salts and various additives found in the hot dogs, and the specific minerals found in the soils that carrots are grown in which can cause arcing when reacting to a microwave’s energy. You may have experienced it and not known it has a name.
If you choose to microwave anyway, it is important to know raw and processed meats can host different bacteria. If microwaved hotdogs reach an internal temperature of 74 degrees Celsius or 165 degrees Fahrenheit they are considered safe to eat. To proceed with microwaving a hotdog, you need to make sure you cook it on high for around 75 seconds. Microwaving hot dogs doesn’t alter their texture or taste if you don’t go too long. Overcooked make them dry and tough to chew.
If cooking more than one, increase the cooking time by 20 seconds more per hot dog to ensure they are all fully cooked thorough. Some recipes call for a dish with a little water in it. These temperatures have been found to safely cook the hot dog without causing any undue appliance malfunctions. If you buy hotdogs that are standard size it is best to consult the hot dog packaging for instructions.
It is important to add that if not adequately microwaved, it can be dangerous to eat not fully cooked hotdogs due to the listeria bacteria thriving in the undercooked meat. Bacteria can make you sick, especially if you’re elderly, pregnant or have a compromised immune system. To prevent getting sick, it’s beyond important to microwave hot dogs long enough until they’re fully heated throughout to kill all bacteria.
