In a world where speed and convenience reign supreme, people are constantly seeking ways to accomplish tasks faster and easier, even when it comes to cooking chicken. Thankfully, the internet always has something unexpected up its sleeve. Enter the world of slap-cooking chicken, a method that may seem unconventional but has piqued the curiosity of many.
According to a question posted on the subreddit r/NoStupidQuestions, one daring individual asked, “If kinetic energy is converted into thermal energy, how hard do I have to slap a chicken to cook it?” The response came from physics major Parker Osmonde, who claimed that it would take a whopping 23,034 average slaps, each with a velocity of 3,725.95 mph, to cook a chicken. This mind-boggling number left many skeptical, yet intrigued.
However, it wasn’t until YouTuber Louis Weisz, renowned for his wacky experiments, stepped into the scene that this concept began to gain traction. Frustrated by the lack of a satisfactory answer on Reddit, Weisz took it upon himself to test the theory and cook a chicken by slapping it. He unveiled a contraption known as the chicken slapper in one of his videos, and to his surprise, he managed to raise the chicken’s temperature solely through slapping. The video quickly went viral, amassing over nine million views and counting.
The Science Behind Slap-Cooking
Cooking typically involves converting thermal energy derived from electrical or chemical potential energy. However, in the case of slap-cooking, it’s the kinetic energy from the slap that is harnessed and transformed into thermal energy, effectively cooking the chicken. Osmonde has explained the formula for this conversion: 1/2mv^2=mcT.
Considering that the average human hand weighs around 0.4 kg and slapping at a velocity of 25 mph (11 m/s) generates 0.00089 degrees Celsius, it would require approximately 23,034 slaps to cook a chicken at 400°F (205°C). Each slap must have a velocity of at least 1,665.65 m/s or 3,725.95 mph.
Excited by this prospect, numerous individuals attempted to replicate Weisz’s method. Alas, their efforts were in vain, as no one managed to cook a chicken by slapping it. It wasn’t until two years later that an experiment finally shed light on the critical number of slaps required to make the meat edible.
The Ultimate Slap-Cooking Revelation
To cook a chicken thoroughly, it needs to reach a temperature of approximately 75°C (167°F), as suggested by Sciences Studio. Assuming the room temperature is 20°C (68°F), the chicken should be cooked to 55°C (131°F).
Weisz received similar advice from Modernist Culture, which recommended cooking the chicken at a temperature between 55-60 degrees Celsius (131-140 degrees Fahrenheit) for at least one hour to kill off any bacteria. In his YouTube video, Weisz documented his two-month-long journey of building the slapping machine and undergoing numerous trials. After countless failed attempts, he finally struck gold, revealing that a minimum of 135,000 slaps over eight hours is required to slap-cook a chicken.
During his experiments, Weisz utilized a staggering 7,500 Watt-hours of energy, two to three times more than what an oven typically consumes. He also attempted to cook a steak using the same method, though he admitted that the taste didn’t quite match up to conventionally cooked meat.
Unleash Your Inner Culinary Explorer
The world of slap-cooking chicken may seem strange and offbeat, but it showcases the ingenuity and curiosity of individuals willing to think outside the box. While the practicality of this method may be questionable, it sparks a sense of wonder and encourages us to push the boundaries of what we perceive as traditional cooking.
So, if you’re feeling adventurous and have the time to spare, perhaps you can embark on your slap-cooking journey. Just remember, patience is key, and don’t forget the essential ingredient: a chicken willing to be slapped!
