The Temperature Mistake That Causes Hot Dog Splits
Few things are as disappointing as placing hot dogs on the grill, only for them to burst halfway through cooking, sending an unsightly split right down each one's middle. A few burst dogs might seem inevitable when grilling, but this doesn't have to be the case. In fact, you might be making one key mistake that could be causing your split-dog problem.
You might be setting your cooking heat too high. Grilling or frying your hot dogs at a high temp may seem like a quick way to achieve the perfect exterior, but that high heat is actually more likely to make your hot dogs split. This is because the heat from your burner or grill will cause steam inside your hotdog to release rapidly, and without a proper outlet, this steam will burst through the seams of your sausage.
To prevent this, you might want to try a slower cooking approach. If you're cooking your dogs on the grill, try placing them away from direct heat so they can come to temperature slowly. Additionally, you might want to pierce your hot dogs with a fork before cooking to allow your steam to vent throughout the process. Applying these tips will keep your dogs perfectly intact and ready them for your favorite hot dog toppings.
Cooking the ideal hot dog
Of course, there are a few tips and tricks you can implement if you want to ensure you're cooking the juiciest possible hot dogs while still preventing splitting. One simple trick to use if you're planning to grill or pan-fry your hot dogs is to take a paring knife and cut a small "x" on either end of your sausages. This will allow steam to escape through the narrow ends rather than from the middle, preventing unsightly splits and keeping your dogs perfectly shapely for serving.
However, if you really want a hot dog that looks and tastes its best, you might want to switch up your cooking method entirely. Instead of grilling your hotdogs, you might want to try boiling them. Though often maligned by grill masters, boiling hot dogs will give you the most even possible result. This is because boiling provides a more controlled heating method than grilling or pan-frying.
Boiling versus grilling hot dogs
Boiling your hot dogs also helps keep them moist, so if avoiding a dry dog is your primary goal, this method might be the way to go. Boiling hot dogs can, however, detract from their flavor, infusing them with plain water and diluting the flavors in the meat. If you're worried about a lackluster dog, you can combat this by boiling your hot dog in beer, as this will infuse your frank with more flavor.
If you don't want to fully commit to boiling, or if you prefer cooking on the grill but still want the moisture provided by boiling, you can always simmer your sausages in beer before putting them on the grill. Doing so will allow your hot dogs to retain moisture and come to a proper temperature without splitting. If you're not interested in taking the beer route, you can also use water to simmer (not boil) your hot dog prior to grilling. Simmering your hot dog will allow it to come to temperature without losing flavor. Finishing your hot dog on the grill or in the pan will still get you the delicious flavor of a pan-fried or grilled hot dog.