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Protecting families from contaminated food and water
Posted in Food Safety,Our Blog on July 14, 2026
Can you cook hot dogs on a car antenna?
First, I’d like to make a distinction between what is possible. And what is safe.
In this installment of “Unsafe Viral Food Trends” we are exploring some of the food trends across the Internet. In this case, cooking hot dogs on a car antenna.
Is it possible?
Is it safe?
Let’s explore!
A few interesting cooking techniques have come across my social media feeds. Everything from cooking in a mailbox to cooking on a car’s dashboard.
But cooking hot dogs on a car antenna takes the cake.
Not the literal cake. But I am sure someone has discovered some unconventional way to do that too.
First up, is a Facebook post from a group called “The view from my window.” On this page, group members post various pictures. Sometimes with context. Sometimes without it. These pictures are all of windows.
Car window. Home windows. Plane windows. You get the picture.
Usually it is something interesting.
This post, dated July 22 depicted four hot dogs skewered on an antenna with the caption, “here in Arizona we cook our Hotdogs on the car antenna on the way home from the grocery store.”
I imagine that not all Arizonians partake in that practice. Albeit, at least one does.
That guy.
As it turns out, he isn’t the only one.
According to Facebook and YouTube food influencer, Drew Cooks, he has performed this odd roasting method by skewering hot dogs on a car antenna at least once. With the social media evidence to prove it. After all, pics or it didn’t happen.
The image depicts someone, presumably Drew, consuming said hot dog on a car antenna. Others are on said antenna in the background.
The caption reads, “There’s another heat wave coming, time to clean off those car antennas and buy some more hotdogs…”
There are more examples. But I think you get the picture. So, it seems that cooking hot dogs on a car antenna is technically possible.
Now back to the more important question.
Is it safe???
For the answer to this question, I go to the ultimate source on all things hot dog safety. The regulatory body over said product.
According to the USDA, whether your hot dog is made with beef, pork, turkey, chicken, or some combination, these sausages are cooked. And therefore, technically safe to eat straight from the fridge.
That being said, the USDA does still caution against it.
This is because many hot dog brands contain sodium nitrate or other preservatives to add that characteristic pink color and preserve them. For this reason, hot dogs are somewhat deceptive. They often do not show the same spoilage cues that you would see in a raw pieces of meat.
In most cases you cannot visually see or even smell whether a hot dog is spoiled.
The USDA says that hot dogs can be safely stored in unopened packages for two weeks in the refrigerator. After you open it, you only have a week before you need to throw it out.
So what are the handling and cooking recommendations, per the USDA?
The basic food safety guidelines that apply to all perishable food. Essentially, “keep hot food hot and cold food cold.”
Once purchased, you will need to get the hot dogs refrigerated as quickly as possible. Immediately store them in the refrigerator or even freeze them.
They can store them unopened for two weeks in the refrigerator. One week once opened. Unlike other foods, hot dogs should not be stored in the freezer long-term. The USDA only recommends hot dogs should be stored for more than a month or two.
Despite hot dogs being fully cooked, the USDA recommends hot dogs (and deli meat) should be reheated until steaming hot before eating.
Why?
The USDA says, “due to the threat of listeriosis.”
Why is Listeria specifically mentioned?
There is an increased risk of Listeria bacterial growth in hot dogs (and deli meat). This is because, unlike some of the other foodborne germs, Listeria doesn’t mind the cold. It can continue to grow at refrigerated temperatures.
This is why Listeria is a big deal in hot dogs, deli meat, and dairy products.
All of these are foods that are stored at refrigerated temperatures and either consumed as-is or not heated to a temperature sufficient to kill the harmful microorganisms.
So we have covered the serious aspects of potential risks associated with cooking hot dogs on a car antenna. But what about the even more obvious concerns.
I’m just going to say it.
Bugs.
Yes. Bugs.
If bugs hit your windshield and grill while you are driving down the road, I can imagine some may find their way onto your hot dog.
Insects can carry any number of bacteria and germs. The literal exposure seems pretty risky if you ask me.
How about dirt and debris?
Without anything to shield it as you are driving down the road, all kinds of dirt and grime can embed itself into your frank. That is just not the kind of seasoning you want on a hot dog. Mustard? Sure! Mayo? Why not? Relish, chili, cheese. All normal things. Gravel and sand. I don’t think so.
With all this information, I ask the question. Would you cook hot dogs on a car antenna?
Even if the ambient temperatures were warm enough on the hottest day of the summer, I am giving this a hard pass.
No thank you! I’ll have mine cooked on a grill, boiled in water, heated on the stove. Heck, even the microwave sounds like a better option.
How about you?
If you’d like to know more about food safety topics in the news, like “Unsafe Viral Food Trends: Cooking Hot Dogs on a Car Antenna,” check out the Make Food Safe Blog. We regularly update trending topics, foodborne infections in the news, recalls, and more! Stay tuned for quality information to help keep your family safe, while The Lange Law Firm, PLLC strives to Make Food Safe!
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)