Curious about what NOT to do in the kitchen? In this article, we're diving into a candid discussion from a popular internet forum where seasoned home chefs shared the worst common and easily avoidable cooking mistakes. Whether you're a kitchen pro or a newcomer, these insights from experienced home cooks will help you steer clear of the worst culinary blunders and make you a better cook.
Higher Heat, Quicker Cooking
Cooking at excessively high temperatures often results in overcooked exteriors and undercooked interiors. Foodies warn against this practice, noting that "cranking the heat to reduce the cooking time will leave you with a burnt outside and an under-done inside."
Grab It While It's Hot
Touching hot cookware or utensils without proper protection can result in severe burns. Experienced home cooks advise always using oven mitts or towels to handle hot items and not to "grab it while it's hot."
Undressed Cooking
Cooking bacon and other greasy foods can produce hot splatters of grease, which can cause painful burns. Expert home cooks stress the importance of safety, humorously noting that you should "always wear pants while cooking bacon."
Everything On High
One common mistake is cranking up the heat to "high" to speed up cooking. As one home cook warns, "Cooking everything on 'high' because you want it done faster" can lead to burnt or unevenly cooked dishes.
Dull Knives
Working with dull knives can be dangerous and result in less precise cuts and more difficult prep. It's important to remember that "a dull knife is more likely to cause accidents," as emphasized by experience home cooks.
Olive Oil On High Heat
Heating olive oil to its smoke point can lead to the breakdown of its beneficial compounds and the development of harmful byproducts, not to mention that it can turn the oil bitter. As home cooks advise, "Overcooking anything is horrible for you," so choosing the right cooking oil for high-heat cooking is essential.
Homemade Pepper Spray
Adding fresh chili peppers to a hot pan can release intensee chili fumes, creating a pepper spray effect that is very uncomfortable for those in the kitchen. One expert learned this the hard way and shared, "Learned this the hard way: don't throw fresh chili peppers into a hot pan unless you want to pepper spray the whole house!"
Glass Cutting Boards
Glass cutting boards are not recommended because they can dull knife blades and are prone to shattering, posing safety risks in the kitchen. Experienced home chefs advise opting for safer cutting board materials, like wood or plastic.
Trying To Catch A Dropped Knife
Trying to catch a falling knife is risky and can lead to severe injuries. Experts remind us that "a falling knife has no handle," urging caution.
Clumpy Baking Powder
Clumps of baking powder can ruin baked goods, leading to uneven rising and an unpleasant texture of the finished product. Experts emphasize the importance of avoiding this mistake, as "tiny rocks of baking powder ruin anything you bake."
Hot Oil + Cold Water
Adding cold water to hot oil can cause splattering and dangerous oil reactions. It's definitely one of those things you don't want to do by mistake, as it can cause severe burns! Instead, make sure to handle hot oil with care, and let it cool down before disposing of it.
Panic In Case Of Fire
In case of a kitchen fire, it's crucial to remain calm and take appropriate action, such as using a fire extinguisher or smothering an oil or grease fire. As home cooks stress, "panicking can get your house burned down."
Source: Reddit
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