# Ask your too-stupid-to-be-real cooking questions here.
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-your-too-stupid-to-be-real-cooking-questions-here/608669
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [January 6, 2012, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-your-too-stupid-to-be-real-cooking-questions-here/608669 "2012-01-06T21:50:40Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)
#### Post date: [January 6, 2012, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-your-too-stupid-to-be-real-cooking-questions-here/608669/1 "2012-01-06T21:50:40Z")
See, I have a too-stupid-to-be-real question and I don’t want to be all stupid-looking by myself. So I’ve started an everything you wanted to know but were to embarrassed to ask thread in order to not be alone in my shame.
My question: My son bought [this ubiquitous lemon juicer](http://dailyjuicer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/lemon-juicer3.jpg) the other day. I’ve got some cut limes for limeade and. . . I’m not sure which way to put the lime in. I’m thinking the cut side toward the holes but then shouldn’t I be driving the hump into the cut side for maximum juice?
Yeup, I don’t know how to use a juicer. Any answer and/or similarly dumb question appreciated.
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### Author:  [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)
#### Post date: [January 6, 2012, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-your-too-stupid-to-be-real-cooking-questions-here/608669/2 "2012-01-06T22:04:42Z")
Answer: You put the lime (or lemon) in so that it matches the shape of the gadget, backwards from what I think you’re describing. The holes are to facilitate airflow rather than to release juice. I think.
I’ll think hard to see if I can remember any of my stupid cooking questions. I know I’ve had some. Maybe they got stuck in the back of the kitchen gadgets drawer…
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### Author:  [@Panurge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Panurge)
#### Post date: [January 6, 2012, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-your-too-stupid-to-be-real-cooking-questions-here/608669/3 "2012-01-06T22:07:28Z")
Uh, no. You do as the OP would do: Cut side against the holes. That way you’ll turn the lime inside out and release the most juice.
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### Author:  [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)
#### Post date: [January 6, 2012, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-your-too-stupid-to-be-real-cooking-questions-here/608669/4 "2012-01-06T22:07:36Z")
Emma is right, put the cut side toward the hump. Though, the holes aren’t for airflow. The juice will flow through them.
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### Author:  [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)
#### Post date: [January 6, 2012, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-your-too-stupid-to-be-real-cooking-questions-here/608669/5 "2012-01-06T22:08:36Z")
Well isn’t my face red. Now I think I’m wrong!
[Lemon being squeezed the way you said, not the way I said](http://www.cheftools.com/images/06-0354-180.jpg)… and [another one](http://www.ukjuicers.com/Images/Dynamic/Product/Zoom/494_633815385281096250.jpg)
In my defense, our citrus juicer is the [dish type](http://cache2.artprintimages.com/LRG/26/2634/4CCMD00Z.jpg) with no lever and I’ve never actually used one of the kind you have.
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### Author:  [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)
#### Post date: [January 6, 2012, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-your-too-stupid-to-be-real-cooking-questions-here/608669/6 "2012-01-06T22:12:44Z")
[and a shot of some post-juicing inside-out lemon halves](http://jennifermartinovici.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83453077669e201543385c515970c-800wi)
Who’da thunk it?
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### Author:  [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)
#### Post date: [January 6, 2012, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-your-too-stupid-to-be-real-cooking-questions-here/608669/7 "2012-01-06T22:13:05Z")
My stupid cooking question:
Must the color of the juicer [match the fruit?](http://www.ukjuicers.com/Images/Dynamic/Product/Zoom/494_633815385281096250.jpg)
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### Author:  [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)
#### Post date: [January 6, 2012, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-your-too-stupid-to-be-real-cooking-questions-here/608669/8 "2012-01-06T22:17:18Z")
Oh, the juice thickens. Apparently it’s not just you and me that are confused. Some people apparently [use it like I said](http://www.howtodefrostbread.com/wonder-blog/2011/12/20/stocking-stuffer-ideas-for-the-cook.html).
Maybe you should undertake a comparative experiment, assuming you have more than one lime half to juice?
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### Author:  [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)
#### Post date: [January 6, 2012, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-your-too-stupid-to-be-real-cooking-questions-here/608669/9 "2012-01-06T22:21:13Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#):
>
> Must the color of the juicer [match the fruit?](http://www.ukjuicers.com/Images/Dynamic/Product/Zoom/494_633815385281096250.jpg)
And if so, what do you juice with the one on the right in [this pic](http://www.yeebiz.com/upimg/12/3852/lemon-juicer-466.jpg)?
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### Author:  [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)
#### Post date: [January 6, 2012, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-your-too-stupid-to-be-real-cooking-questions-here/608669/10 "2012-01-06T22:30:57Z")
What yielded the most juice: First put lime in flesh facing away from holes, squeeze. Turn lime around, squeeze again. More juice than doing either one only or flesh facing holes first.
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### Author:  [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)
#### Post date: [January 6, 2012, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-your-too-stupid-to-be-real-cooking-questions-here/608669/11 "2012-01-06T22:41:03Z")
You put the lime in the coconut and drink 'em both up.
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### Author:  [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)
#### Post date: [January 6, 2012, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-your-too-stupid-to-be-real-cooking-questions-here/608669/12 "2012-01-06T22:41:15Z")
> [@Biggirl](#):
>
> What yielded the most juice: First put lime in flesh facing away from holes, squeeze. Turn lime around, squeeze again. More juice than doing either one only or flesh facing holes first.
Science! I love it!
And that makes sense – first you rupture all the little pulpy juice sacs with direct rigid pressure, then you squeeze their contents out of the rind on reverse.
Congratulations for asking a not-stupid question and then answering it _properly_.
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### Author:  [@UFC\_Is\_Sux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UFC_Is_Sux)
#### Post date: [January 6, 2012, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-your-too-stupid-to-be-real-cooking-questions-here/608669/13 "2012-01-06T22:43:10Z")
Is there such a thing as instant water?
And what do you add to it to make water?
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### Author:  [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)
#### Post date: [January 6, 2012, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-your-too-stupid-to-be-real-cooking-questions-here/608669/14 "2012-01-06T22:45:12Z")
I think about looking this up once in a while but this is the perfect opportunity to ask.
Scrambled eggs…how are they made?
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### Author:  [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)
#### Post date: [January 6, 2012, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-your-too-stupid-to-be-real-cooking-questions-here/608669/15 "2012-01-06T22:46:31Z")
> [@emmaliminal](#):
>
> And that makes sense – first you rupture all the little pulpy juice sacs with direct rigid pressure, then you squeeze their contents out of the rind on reverse.
And then you make Margaritas. I’ve studied this phenomena extensively. It is good.
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### Author:  [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)
#### Post date: [January 6, 2012, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-your-too-stupid-to-be-real-cooking-questions-here/608669/16 "2012-01-06T22:46:46Z")
A real one from the summer in the university dorm. How hot do you have to get the water to fry chicken?
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### Author:  [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)
#### Post date: [January 6, 2012, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-your-too-stupid-to-be-real-cooking-questions-here/608669/17 "2012-01-06T22:48:47Z")
> [@River\_Hippie](#):
>
> I think about looking this up once in a while but this is the perfect opportunity to ask.
>
> Scrambled eggs…how are they made?
[QUOTE=Wikipedia]
Raw eggs are whisked to blend the egg white and yolk into a homogeneous liquid. Liquids such as stock, cream, butter, milk, water, or oil may be added during the whisking to create a softer texture. The amount of liquid added is typically about 2 tbsp (30 mL) liquid per egg. Salt, pepper, or other seasonings can be added to taste.
The whisked eggs are poured into a hot greased pan and coagulate almost immediately. The heat is turned down to low and the eggs are constantly stirred as they cook. The pan and the stirring implement, if kept in constant motion, will create small and soft curds. The lower the heat and the more constant the movement, the creamier the end product.
Once the liquid has mostly set, additional ingredients such as ham, herbs or cheese may be folded in over low heat, just until incorporated. The eggs should be slightly undercooked when removed from heat, since the eggs will continue to set.
[/QUOTE]
If you’re feeding them to me, please use the lowest possible heat your stovetop produces from start to finish, and add pepper and dill.
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### Author:  [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)
#### Post date: [January 6, 2012, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-your-too-stupid-to-be-real-cooking-questions-here/608669/18 "2012-01-06T22:49:59Z")
> [@billfish678](#):
>
> A real one from the summer in the university dorm. How hot do you have to get the water to fry chicken?
Hotter than that. No, hotter.
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### Author:  [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)
#### Post date: [January 6, 2012, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-your-too-stupid-to-be-real-cooking-questions-here/608669/19 "2012-01-06T22:51:50Z")
> [@billfish678](#):
>
> A real one from the summer in the university dorm. How hot do you have to get the water to fry chicken?
It’s ready to use when the water starts to smoke.
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### Author:  [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)
#### Post date: [January 6, 2012, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-your-too-stupid-to-be-real-cooking-questions-here/608669/20 "2012-01-06T23:06:33Z")
> [@emmaliminal](#):
>
> And if so, what do you juice with the one on the right in [this pic](http://www.yeebiz.com/upimg/12/3852/lemon-juicer-466.jpg)?
Blueberries, silly!
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