'Do not do this': Experts warn this internet cooking 'hack' is dangerous

With the rise of content platforms like YouTube and TikTok, we're seeing more and more people using social media to share their creative talents with the world.

We here at the SDC are all for this sharing of knowledge because let's face it – we can all learn a thing or two from one another! After all, there's nothing like learning from someone passionate and excited about their craft.



However, as much as we enjoy seeing other people's content, we also have to admit that not everything on social media is trustworthy. Just because someone has a large following or seems to know what they're talking about doesn't mean that everything they post should be taken at face value.

This is especially true when it comes to cooking videos on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. While there are some fantastic cooks out there sharing amazing recipes (like this one for beer-battered olives… yum!), there are also those who post dangerous content without any regard for safety.


Screen Shot 2022-11-21 at 1.50.03 PM.png
On TikTok, people are sharing a 'hack' for cooking steak that could be dangerous. Credit: Pexels/Lukas.



One recent example of this is a new trend that has been circulating on TikTok in which home cooks place raw steaks into a toaster to cook them quickly and easily.

Yes – you read that correctly; people are putting meat into a toaster in an attempt to make dinner! We don't know about you, but this just seems downright strange to us…



The idea was first shared by someone on TikTok, who posted a video of herself placing two slabs of uncooked meat into a toaster. After pressing the toaster on, the video cuts to the TikTok user removing the cooked steak with her tongs and placing it on a plate.

The video has since gone viral with more than 1.2 million views; however, experts warn that the cooking method could pose a serious fire risk. Sharing the TikTok video on their Twitter account, the London Fire Brigade warned social media users to steer clear of the trend.



Many Twitter users responding to the video were shocked at what they saw. One person even went as far as calling it a video on 'How to burn your house down'.

'You must be joking. I can't believe anyone would really do that!' said another, while a third went on to add: 'Anyone that would even consider doing this has rocks for brains…'

Others, though, found the humour in the potentially dangerous footage, with one person joking: 'My toaster doesn't even toast bread very well. I imagine the steak would still be mooing if I tried that.'



Members, while we understand that everyone's time is precious and that we all want to find new and innovative ways to save time in the kitchen, we urge you to be extra careful when it comes to trying new cooking methods.

If something seems too good to be true or just plain dangerous, it probably is! There's no need to put yourself at risk in the name of convenience. After all, your safety is always more important than a quick meal.
Tip
The best, easiest, and most importantly, safest way to cook a steak is still the traditional way, which is on a pan. If you're looking for a guide on how to do just that, feel free to check out one of our previous articles.
Do you know of any other so-called cooking 'hacks' that you've seen on the internet that seem more like hazards than helpful advice? We'd love to hear from you in the comments!
 

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People never learn years ago ther was an upright grill came on the market that caused many fires especially setting fire to the kitchen curtains
I remember it was called the vertical grill, when you think about it the elements were very close to where the grill rack was and the most popular item cooked in this was lamb chops which splattered fat onto the element
 
Ha ha ha!!! That is sooooooo senseless and irresponsible it puts moronic to shame! Why even bother? If you dont have a working stove, a pot, a pan, a grill, a barbeque, an air fryer, a deep fryer or any other normal cooking appliances, risk fire, electrocution or any other disastrous end, try something stupid because some idiot did it on Tic Tok.
P.S. Most of these "hacks" are faked and lies! Check out Ann Reardon (Aussie food scientist) "How to Cook That" Debunking tic tok hacks on YouTube.
 
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With the rise of content platforms like YouTube and TikTok, we're seeing more and more people using social media to share their creative talents with the world.

We here at the SDC are all for this sharing of knowledge because let's face it – we can all learn a thing or two from one another! After all, there's nothing like learning from someone passionate and excited about their craft.



However, as much as we enjoy seeing other people's content, we also have to admit that not everything on social media is trustworthy. Just because someone has a large following or seems to know what they're talking about doesn't mean that everything they post should be taken at face value.

This is especially true when it comes to cooking videos on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. While there are some fantastic cooks out there sharing amazing recipes (like this one for beer-battered olives… yum!), there are also those who post dangerous content without any regard for safety.


View attachment 9272
On TikTok, people are sharing a 'hack' for cooking steak that could be dangerous. Credit: Pexels/Lukas.



One recent example of this is a new trend that has been circulating on TikTok in which home cooks place raw steaks into a toaster to cook them quickly and easily.

Yes – you read that correctly; people are putting meat into a toaster in an attempt to make dinner! We don't know about you, but this just seems downright strange to us…



The idea was first shared by someone on TikTok, who posted a video of herself placing two slabs of uncooked meat into a toaster. After pressing the toaster on, the video cuts to the TikTok user removing the cooked steak with her tongs and placing it on a plate.

The video has since gone viral with more than 1.2 million views; however, experts warn that the cooking method could pose a serious fire risk. Sharing the TikTok video on their Twitter account, the London Fire Brigade warned social media users to steer clear of the trend.



Many Twitter users responding to the video were shocked at what they saw. One person even went as far as calling it a video on 'How to burn your house down'.

'You must be joking. I can't believe anyone would really do that!' said another, while a third went on to add: 'Anyone that would even consider doing this has rocks for brains…'

Others, though, found the humour in the potentially dangerous footage, with one person joking: 'My toaster doesn't even toast bread very well. I imagine the steak would still be mooing if I tried that.'



Members, while we understand that everyone's time is precious and that we all want to find new and innovative ways to save time in the kitchen, we urge you to be extra careful when it comes to trying new cooking methods.

If something seems too good to be true or just plain dangerous, it probably is! There's no need to put yourself at risk in the name of convenience. After all, your safety is always more important than a quick meal.
Tip
The best, easiest, and most importantly, safest way to cook a steak is still the traditional way, which is on a pan. If you're looking for a guide on how to do just that, feel free to check out one of our previous articles.
Do you know of any other so-called cooking 'hacks' that you've seen on the internet that seem more like hazards than helpful advice? We'd love to hear from you in the comments!

Silly Tic Toc. Who remembers the "Vertical Grills". Quick and easy 😉
 
Didn't even look like the same pieces of meat. There is a vertical grill which is available to do that and endless other means of cooking a piece of meat so why use a toaster. How many people would copy that because they thought it would work and end up with a fire.
 
How utterly ridiculous. Apart from the fire risk what bothers me most is that some idiots who watch these things religiously will actually do it. Some of the crazy things that appear on social media should be completely banned, freedom of speech or not.
And by the way, the very best way to cook a steak has always been on a very hot griddle pan or ideally the good old fashioned BARBECUE! Aussie style!
 
I remember it was called the vertical grill, when you think about it the elements were very close to where the grill rack was and the most popular item cooked in this was lamb chops which splattered fat onto the element
I had a George Forman vertical grill and it was more of a hassle to clean than a fry pan, but it was mainly marketed for cooking the fat out of meat, and for a healthier type of grilled meat.
 

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