Wapsi Square Forum

AnotherFairportfan wrote:In the Navy, we took a power cord, soldered nails to the ends (with a hundred-watt light bulb on one side in series), stuck the nails into the ends a hot dog lying on an insulating surface, and plugged it in.

When the light went out, the hot dog was ready.

I've seen a hot-dog cooker of that sort with the nails driven through a chunk of 2x4.

It did generate a healthy respect for electricity, especially when the adult "forgot" and left the hot dog on too long . . .

--FreeFlier

Jabberwonky wrote:

Dave wrote:I haven't used thermite myself, although I've been tempted to try out some of the little pre-packaged "hot-shot" thermite packets which are used to weld a ground rod to a ground wire. Much more secure than using clamps or screws or solder. If I lived in an area prone to lightning I'd be more tempted to do it, to help protect my home in the case that lightning decided that it wanted to get up-close-and-personal with my ham and TV antennas.

You use antennae to attract lightning to cook ham?
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I'mma have to try that...

I have used those hot packs several times on grounding rods. Fast, easy to use and very safe. I shudder to say it but almost idiot proof.

FreeFlier wrote:

AnotherFairportfan wrote:In the Navy, we took a power cord, soldered nails to the ends (with a hundred-watt light bulb on one side in series), stuck the nails into the ends a hot dog lying on an insulating surface, and plugged it in.

When the light went out, the hot dog was ready.

I've seen a hot-dog cooker of that sort with the nails driven through a chunk of 2x4.

It did generate a healthy respect for electricity, especially when the adult "forgot" and left the hot dog on too long . . .

--FreeFlier

I actually had one of those i bought at the BX, in plastic of course and cooked 5 hotdogs at once. It was kinda neat.

When I was a teen, we had the same one as Mickey. Not being a hot dog fan, I was much more fascinated by the technical aspects of it all.

FreeFlier wrote:

AnotherFairportfan wrote:In the Navy, we took a power cord, soldered nails to the ends (with a hundred-watt light bulb on one side in series), stuck the nails into the ends a hot dog lying on an insulating surface, and plugged it in.

When the light went out, the hot dog was ready.

I've seen a hot-dog cooker of that sort with the nails driven through a chunk of 2x4.

It did generate a healthy respect for electricity, especially when the adult "forgot" and left the hot dog on too long . . .

--FreeFlier

Notice i mentioned the light bulb going out?

I said "we" did it - actually, it was some of the other guys in the shop. Apparently the hot dog lost contact when it heated up and shrank or something.

I remember those... my brother and I were fascinated watching the dogs cook. We even did a mock radio show- Mark intoning, " Well, 'Fingers', do you have anything to say before we throw the switch?" "I'm tellin' ya, I didn't do it! Ya got tha wrong guy!!! I'm innocent, I tell ya!!! Don't YAAAAAAAAUUUUGH!!!!! GAHHHH!!!"

Mom overheard this.

Damn thing disappeared that day.

Mothers are like that.

but, but, but- what. did. the. snake. say?

TazManiac wrote:but, but, but- what. did. the. snake. say?

"You will not surely die."

That might be true, in the case of abusing a Presto Hotdogger, but I can imagine that one might yearn for death afterwards.

If only due to the embarrassment.

AnotherFairportfan wrote:

FreeFlier wrote:

AnotherFairportfan wrote:In the Navy, we took a power cord, soldered nails to the ends (with a hundred-watt light bulb on one side in series), stuck the nails into the ends a hot dog lying on an insulating surface, and plugged it in.

When the light went out, the hot dog was ready.

I've seen a hot-dog cooker of that sort with the nails driven through a chunk of 2x4.

It did generate a healthy respect for electricity, especially when the adult "forgot" and left the hot dog on too long . . .

Notice i mentioned the light bulb going out?

I said "we" did it - actually, it was some of the other guys in the shop. Apparently the hot dog lost contact when it heated up and shrank or something.

This didn't have fancy features like light bulbs . . . cord, nails, 2x4.

--FreeFlier

I just had a Monty Python flash.

"We 'ad to get up at two AM, thre hours before we went to bed, eat a lump o' freezing cold poison..."

If you want to be really impressive, you can roast hotdogs the way Bud does it.

AnotherFairportfan wrote:I just had a Monty Python flash.

"We 'ad to get up at two AM, thre hours before we went to bed, eat a lump o' freezing cold poison..."

Oi, yeh got to eat poison?!? Why, we could only dream o' a nice bit o' poison to tuck intah! We didn't even 'ave digestive systems!

Catawampus wrote:If you want to be really impressive, you can roast hotdogs the way Bud does it.

AnotherFairportfan wrote:I just had a Monty Python flash.

"We 'ad to get up at two AM, thre hours before we went to bed, eat a lump o' freezing cold poison..."

Oi, yeh got to eat poison?!? Why, we could only dream o' a nice bit o' poison to tuck intah! We didn't even 'ave digestive systems!

So . . . exactly why did they invent dirt?






Actually used that one on a coworker when he was pulling that "in my day . . ." routine.

He tried to pretend he was mad but he was laughing too hard.

--FreeFlier

FreeFlier wrote:So . . . exactly why did they invent dirt?

The cliffs, boulders, rocks, pebbles, and sand kept grinding themselves down into powder. They either had to invent dirt, or they had to invent glue... lots of glue... and spend all their time gluing bits of rock back together to make new boulders and mountains.

Dirt was easier.

Of course, then they had to invent "washing up" to deal with the dirt. That didn't go over very well. To this very day, young boys have a strong innate rejection of the whole "wash behind your ears" nonsense.

The other reason they invented dirt, was so that Zathras would have something to talk to.

FreeFlier wrote:So . . . exactly why did they invent dirt?

We needed somethin' to bury the remains o' sassy youngsters under.

Catawampus wrote:

FreeFlier wrote:So . . . exactly why did they invent dirt?

We needed somethin' to bury the remains o' sassy youngsters under.

Gravel makes lousy mudpies