The Biggest Hot Dog Cooking Mistake You Can Make

A hot dog is a great, easy meal that's hard to get wrong. But sadly, there are still mistakes to be made when cooking a hot dog. We don't want to insult you, but one of the biggest is leaving the plastic on while you're doing it. This might not seem like a big deal, but it can have more consequences than you might expect. Firstly, there's the obvious fact that the plastic can melt onto the hot dog. Plastic packaging is generally not designed to withstand extreme temperatures, so if you put it in the microwave (or any other appliance) while the hot dog cooks, it can deform and fuse with the meat. Even those hot dogs made with the highest quality ingredients aren't going to be appetizing with a side of plastic.

Not only that, but when plastic is heated, it can leach out substances like phthalates and bisphenol A (also known as BPA) into your food. The effects of some of these chemicals are not yet fully understood, but based on the evidence available thus far, they can be harmful to the human body, particularly the reproductive system and brain. While it's rare for phthalates and BPA to be present in food-grade plastic, it's not impossible. Remember, there's no such thing as microwave-safe plastic, so why should the hot dog packaging get a pass?

There are a few things you can do to keep yourself safe from BPA and melted plastic while cooking hot dogs. First, always check you've removed the packaging before it gets cooked. If you're microwaving, don't use a plastic container, even if it's labelled as "food-safe," and reach for ceramic or glass instead.

Another great way to make a great hot dog is to not microwave it in the first place. Microwaving a hot dog is potentially a big mistake, and not just because of the (admittedly remote) danger of producing scary sparks. This method doesn't add much in terms of flavor or texture, keeping it from the heights a hot dog can achieve. In other words, a microwaved hot dog can't compare to a properly grilled or boiled one. So, the next time you feel like a delicious frank, consider skipping the appliance altogether.

If you must microwave a hot dog and you do it with plastic on (intentionally or not), examine the frank carefully once it's done. If the plastic looks intact and unchanged, the USDA says it should be safe to eat, though you still shouldn't make a habit of it. On the other hand, if the plastic is warped or altered in any way, the hot dog is not okay to eat and should make a beeline for the trash. Even a small discolored spot can indicate leaching of harmful chemicals into your food, so it's best to play it safe and cook a new hot dog — properly.