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Whenever I cook hot dogs in the microwave they invariably split and/or burst open. I've tried shortening the cooking time, but haven't found a happy medium where they are thoroughly cooked, but remain unmutilated.

Is there some trick to cooking them in a microwave without this happening?

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Tangentially related: the USDA says, "Although hot dogs are fully cooked, those at increased risk of foodborne illness should reheat hot dogs and luncheon meat until steaming hot before eating, due to the threat of listeriosis." fsis.usda.gov/factsheets/hot_dogs/index.asp – Preston Fitzgerald Mar 20 at 17:07

5 Answers

up vote 9 down vote accepted

Poke them with a fork in a few places. This will let the steam out in a controlled manner and prevent bursting.

or, even better, skip the microwave and boil them in a pan over the stove.

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1  
Good suggestion. However, I think I'll stick to the microwave because I'm not eating a hot-dog if I'm going to the trouble of "cooking". Also, boiled hot dogs always tasted nasty to me. – JohnFx Dec 20 '11 at 3:18
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@JohnFx: Issues of taste aside, I really don't think that boiling water somehow puts a meal into a different tier; I wouldn't call Easy Mac or Ramen noodles cooking but they're both stovetop meals. – Aaronut♦ Dec 20 '11 at 6:49
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When I want a hot dog, I'm not patient enough for water to boil. Otherwise I'd make Ramen or Easy mac instead. =) – JohnFx Dec 20 '11 at 8:31
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You can also try turning down the power level on the microwave, though of course it'll take longer to heat them. Alternatively, put the split side down in the bun :-P – derobert Dec 21 '11 at 18:26
up vote 3 down vote

Score them (cut slits in them).

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up vote 0 down vote

Introduce the hot dog in a high glass of water in the microwaves.

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2  
Never heard of this - why would it help? (Hot dogs also burst in a pot of boiling water on the stove) – rumtscho♦ Jan 3 '12 at 14:06
up vote 0 down vote

I always cut a shallow incision down the whole shaft, put it in the microwave, and watch until it starts to 'bloom'. Usually 45sec-1min

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2  
Seems to me that's the same answer as Bizorke and Cos Callis. Why repeating? – Theta30 Mar 20 at 18:05
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I roll it up in a paper towel for 30sec. It depends on the range though....40 sec will make my dog lose its head.

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