How to Make a Homemade Hot Dog Cooker

Hot dogs are a favorite food of many people, especially Americans and children. Cooking them in the microwave may be quick and easy, but you can make your own homemade hot dog cooker by using a couple of things from around your home and still create even more juicy, delicious flavor.

Things You'll Need

• Hot dogs
• Double boiler
• Stove top
• Fork
• Salt and pepper
• Water
• Sink

Instructions

1. Fill the bottom pot of the double boiler halfway up with water from the sink. Add two teaspoons of salt to the water.

2. 

   Place the water-filled pot onto the stove top and turn it to medium. Then, place the top pot of the double boiler into the water-filled pot securely. Place the lid on.

3. Use the fork to poke each side of the hot dog two times in order to let the steam escape while it is cooking in your homemade hot dog cooker. This is important because if the steam cannot escape, the hot dog will explode or certain parts will become hard and overcooked which will result in it being inedible.

4. Season the hot dog with a pinch of salt and pepper. Lift the lid up on one edge and slide the hot dog into the top pot of the double boiler once the steam build-up in the top pot under the lid is foggy. Turn the stove controls up to high heat.

5. Keep the lid on and let the steam build up around the hot dog. For thawed hot dogs, the cooking time is around 5 to 7 minutes in the double boiler. For frozen hot dogs, it will be 10 or more minutes. After this period of time, take the lid off of the double boiler and look at the hot dog. If there are open seams along the sides, that means steam is escaping and the hot dog is cooked. If not, replace the lid and let it cook a little bit longer.

6. Remove the cooked hot dog from the top pot and drop into the bottom pot where the water is boiling. Leave it for 2-3 seconds, then remove from the water. This helps seal in more juices and flavor from the salted water. Dispose the water into the sink from your homemade hot dog cooker.

Tips & Warnings

• When the hot dog is done cooking, place it in a steamed or toasted bun with ketchup, mustard, relish or mayonnaise.

• Be careful around boiling water so you don't burn yourself.