Two of the Most Dangerous Ways to Cook Spam

Photo by: Bigstockphoto
Photo by: Bigstockphoto

Spam is probably the most well-known canned product in the world. Deeply rooted in American history and pop culture, Spam was developed in 1937 by the Hormel Company. It’s one of the most popular canned meats during World War II partly because it was usually rationed to soldiers. Because Spam keeps well and is compact, Spam can be shipped easily to various parts of the world.

Today, no other canned meat has reached the kind of global appeal that Spam has enjoyed for decades. Spam is available in more than 40 countries but is particularly loved in Hawaii, United Kingdom, and Japan.

What is Spam?

Spam is a type of canned, preserved meat, also known as luncheon meat. It’s made from pork with ham, modified potato starch, and preservatives. Spam may come in various flavors but its original flavor is the most popular.

The Proper Way of Cooking Spam

When it comes to preparing Spam, it’s quite a versatile meat. It can be sliced and fried, grilled, baked, or it can be eaten straight from the can. Spam is a breakfast staple usually eaten in the most basic way — fried with a side of eggs. However, in other parts of the world, Spam can be used in salads, as burger patties, and even in sushi and maki rolls.

Although we recommend preparing Spam the traditional way, some daredevils are always looking for creative ways to eat this canned food.

Two Dangerous Ways of Eating Spam

Microwaving Spam Straight From the Can

If you don’t want to burn the house down, do not try microwaving an opened or unopened can of Spam. Microwave cooks food using microwave radiation that vibrates at almost two and a half billion times per second. When you cook food in a metal container inside a microwave, the electrons will react rapidly.

The movement will cause microwaves to bounce off uncontrollably within the confined space, causing arcs of energy. It could spark and increase in temperature within the machine. This will not destroy the microwave per se, but the super-heated meat will cause an explosion — possibly injuring those who are handling the meat.

Throwing the Canned Spam in the Fire

Again—just like with microwaving Spam straight from the can—throwing an unopened can of Spam in a fiery pit could also cause injury. The super-heated meat will expand and burst out of the sealed can, causing hot meat and metal shrapnel flying all over the place. The explosion could cause minor to severe injuries to various parts of the body.

In some cases, the heated can of Spam could fly in the air with hot meat pouring over the heads of those gathered over the campfire.

To avoid any accident, do not cook Spam using any of the two methods mentioned above. If you don’t want to lose an eye or get third-degree burns all over your body for trying to cook Spam “creatively,” stick to the usual preparations of grilling or pan frying the canned meat. Also, to be even safer, ditch the heat and eat it straight out of the can.