Stuff To Blow Your Mind Food Storage Mad Science, Part 2
Jul 24, 2025
Anney Reese and Lauren Vogelbaum, co-hosts of the food podcast Savor, join Joe McCormick to dig into the wacky world of food storage. They discuss the bizarre consequences of improper storage, like baked pasta puncturing foil and the alarming cases of tempura storage leading to spontaneous combustion. The duo also explores the science behind exploding watermelons and fermentation, revealing both the chaos of kitchen mishaps and crucial safety tips. History comes alive with tales from the Great Molasses Flood, highlighting the serious side of food preservation.
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Tempura Flakes Ignite Fires
- In 2019, deep fried tempura flakes spontaneously combusted in several Wisconsin sushi restaurants at night.
- The heat generated by oxidation in densely packed oily tempura flakes caused kitchen fires.
Oils Heat Up and Burn
- Oxidation of triglycerides in cooking oils releases heat and breakdown products causing rancidity.
- Packed oily fried flakes trap heat, accelerating oxidation until the heat triggers combustion.
Prevent Tempura Fire Risk
- Avoid storing fried tempura flakes densely packed right after cooking to prevent fire risk.
- Spread them out to cool efficiently and don't leave batches unattended overnight.
