skip to main content

I Need Help - I'm a Little Thick...

12 years ago

I bought a different brand of franks today to try - Hoffman's German - what is the secret to fully cooking hot dogs without them splitting open?? I have tried to start them out on very low heat with no success. I realize they are already cooked but I hesitate to just barely warm them up.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

Jasdip
12 years ago
I like my wieners fried in butter so they are nice and dark/blackened in spots. I don't have them get to the splitting stage, but are certainly hot throughout. Splitting occurs the easiest when they're boiled.
pkramer60
12 years ago
I went to their website and all the photos show the dogs split when grilled. You could heat them slow and on a low heat but mine usually do split. It does not bother me though.

If you are heating them in hot water, they might not split for you.
Related Discussions
I'm a newbie, and I need a little help
Q
Comments (8)
Hi jaybizzle: Welcome to the garden web. Your picture looks like it could be a perennial called Astilbe Here is how you grow plants from cuttings Taking cuttings is the same for most plants. First you must make sure everything you use is very clean. In a clean pail mix your soil with the water so you make sure the soil is damp right through. Use a soilless mix like pro mix or one that is formulated for seeds and cuttings. Just make sure it has no fertilizer in it. You want the soil wet but not too wet. Squeeze a handful and some moisture should come out but not a lot. Fill your pots and make a little hole in the center with your finger or something else that will make a small hole. Take your cuttings: With a sharp knife or razor blade cut a 5 or 6 inch piece from the growing tip, cutting just below a leaf. All roots and branches come from a leaf joint. Remove all but the top 5 or 6 leaves. Dip about 1/2 inch of the cut end in rooting hormone. It comes in powder or gel, either is OK as long as it's for soft wood cuttings. I use Stim-root NO. 1. After it's dipped put it in the hole and cover it in, and you're done. Keep the soil moist but not overly wet. They will look wilted at first but that will change as it starts to grow roots. You will know it's rooted when it starts to show new growth. Wait until it is rooted well before you set it out.
...See More
I'm guessing thick blue smoke isn't a good sign?
Q
Comments (21)
baymee-- Unless this Lawn-Boy has a DuraForce engine (identifiable by the above-deck muffler), the only way I can think of to remove the fuel from the crankcase (other than letting the engine burn it out) is to remove the muffler and let the fuel drain out of the exhaust ports. For a DuraForce engine, you can either remove the exhaust transfer tube to let the fuel drain out of the exhaust port, or you can remove the cylinder head and lift up the back wheels. The air vane governor on these machines (i.e., "the contraption connected to the carb") does make carb removal an exercise in patience. Hope this helps.
...See More
I'm new here and need a little help
Q
Comments (2)
Those are "Hens n Chicks", Sempervivum. They are a winter hardy outdoor succulent and will grow in just about anything. They are related to the NOT so winter hardy Echeveria.
...See More
Now I think I'm watering too little.
Q
Comments (5)
I am sure there is a 'perfect' frequency at which to water each individual plant... but I have many dozens of plants in pots (well over 300) so I don't have the luxury of time to feel each one's soil. However I do find that most succulents are incredibly forgiving (obvious exceptions) and seem to do well no matter how often a feel like watering. I am off two days a week, so I water 2 days a week... but sometimes, particularly in the long summer days, I have opportunities to water more often so I do... sometimes every day to every other day. So far, with the few exceptions I did not specify above, 99% of my plants do great with whatever they get. Exceptions in the past have been plants in too much shade, or the super touchy things like Mesembs and caudiciforms. Those have to be set aside and watched a bit more closely. Thankfully, of the about 50 species of cacti I have in pots, none seem to care if they get watered once a day or once a month (some I neglect for months on end). I just notice that sometimes the ones getting more water flower more and grow faster. That's about it. I have had cacti sitting out of a pot for over a year (no soil, no water) and they still look fine (these are columnars or barrels... not small mammillarias). So with most plants, I think you can pick your own schedule and go with it... in most cases, as long as the soil drains well, they will manage. Just be sure you water watering them thoroughly when you do, especially if there is peat in the soil... peat soils often never get wet at all if you dont' water thoroughly and the plants do die of dehydration. Of course all this is from someone living in a dry climate (southern California) that is fairly warm year round. Those growing stuff in humid climates might have to be a bit more careful I suppose.
...See More
cooking2day
12 years ago
I wonder if it could be the brand? I know that some have fillers that swell and cause the splitting.

We buy ours from a nearby butcher shop that, since way before I was born, has made and sold them in natural casings. When grilling or skillet frying, I like them better split because there's more surface area to brown. I butterfly them to make sure that happens. :)
caliloo
12 years ago
Poke a few holes along the length with a fork. No splitting!

Alexa
party_music50
12 years ago
Hofmann's German w/ natural casings? they're the best! Most people around here will boil/simmer them first and then put them on the grill to brown them -- but they're supposed to split. :)
booberry85
12 years ago
Hoffmann's hot dogs are the best! Try poking holes like Alexa recommended. also brush them with a little peanut oil before cooking.
magothyrivergirl
12 years ago
Somewhere a very long time ago, I read to use a needle to poke a few holes on all sides to keep them from splitting - I know you have old needles~LOL~it works!
party_music50
12 years ago
ugh! Just got a new package of Hofmann's w/ natural casings and they have changed! The family sold out to the Oneida Indian Nation and they have apparently changed the recipe/ingredients. The texture SUCKED! I'm so unhappy. :( :( :(
User
Original Author
12 years ago
I was really looking forward to trying them with all the raves about them on this forum - we were very disappointed. I've had better tasting hot dogs from Oscar Meyer. And you're right, the texture was awful. I guess I'll go back to Boar's Head. I liked the texture of Hebrew National but they were so salty they were almost inedible. I used to get Sabrett's which were pretty good, but the last time I bought them (years ago) we got hold of a bad package and it turned me off, probably more the store's than the brand's but you know the drill. Maybe I'll try Nathan's before I quit trying.
booberry85
12 years ago
I'm so upset that Hoffmann's are yucky now. I'll admit, it's probably been 6 months + that I've had a hot dog. It was a no brainer to just grab a package before. I wonder if they changed the ingredients to give them more of a national appeal (they went national this year) or if they changed them because of the cost of beef.

Related Stories

Help! I'm a Minimalist, My Child is a Maximalist

By Erika Ward - Erika Ward Interiors

8 Ways to Corral the Kids' Stuff

LIGHTING Help! I Need a Light!

Ideabook 911: I Need Help Staging for Resale

By Becky Harris

EXTERIORS Help! What Color Should I Paint My House Exterior?

By Jennifer Ott Design

Real homeowners get real help in choosing paint palettes. Bonus: 3 tips for everyone on picking exterior colors

PAINTING Help! I Spilled Paint on My Clothes — Now What?

By Jennifer Ott Design

If you’ve spattered paint on your favorite jeans, here’s what to do next

LIFE You Said It: ‘Just Because I’m Tiny Doesn’t Mean I Don’t Go Big’

By Becky Harris

Changing things up with space, color and paint dominated the design conversations this week

WINTER GARDENING 6 Reasons I’m Not Looking Forward to Spring

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Not kicking up your heels anticipating rushes of spring color and garden catalogs? You’re not alone

LIVING ROOMS A Living Room Miracle With $1,000 and a Little Help From Houzzers

By Mitchell Parker

Frustrated with competing focal points, Kimberlee Dray took her dilemma to the people and got her problem solved

MORE ROOMS Kids' Rooms: I'm A Big Boy Now

By Erika Ward - Erika Ward Interiors

Ideas for Transitioning Your Son From the Nursery

ENTRYWAYS Help! What Color Should I Paint My Front Door?

By Jennifer Ott Design

We come to the rescue of three Houzzers, offering color palette options for the front door, trim and siding

Sponsored

More Discussions

Using/Storing Extra Pumpkin Puree

8

What's cooking -- or not?

37

Chloebud, how important is the icing on the pumpkin bars?

14

Stirfry tonight

10

Really good cauliflower

19