Can driving a nail through a potato make it cook faster? It’s one of the oldest cooking tricks in the book. It’s also a dud.

Put down the hammer and get the science: https://amazingribs.com/bbq-technique-and-science/more-cooking-science/potato-nail/

#AmazingRibs #CookingMyths #MythBusted

A quick scratch from a metal spoon won't destroy a decent non-stick pan — most modern coatings can handle occasional contact. What actually kills them is high heat, metal scrubbers, and dishwashers. Care about those, and stop panicking over one accidental spatula swap. #ChefBobbyCooks #CookingMyths

Yes, bay leaves genuinely add flavour — subtle, but real. They release aromatic oils slowly, which is why they work best in long, slow-cooked dishes like stews and sauces, not a 10-minute stir-fry. Don't skip them, just use them where they can actually work. #ChefBobbyCooks #CookingMyths #KitchenTi

"The alcohol cooks off" isn't quite true — depending on cook time, a meaningful amount can still be in the dish. A quick flambé leaves most of it. A long simmer removes more, but rarely all of it. Worth knowing if you're cooking for anyone avoiding alcohol. #ChefBobbyCooks #CookingMyths #Kitchen

Under-salting your pasta water is the most common reason your pasta tastes flat, even with a great sauce. The water should taste like the sea — genuinely salty. That's the only chance the pasta itself gets seasoned, so don't skip it. #ChefBobbyCooks #PastaTips #CookingMyths #ItalianCooking #Kitche

Washing raw chicken doesn't remove bacteria — it just splashes it around your sink, worktop, and anything nearby. Cooking to temperature is what kills it, not water. Skip the rinse, cook it properly, and you're actually safer. #ChefBobbyCooks #FoodSafety #CookingMyths #KitchenTips #ChickenRecipes

Rinsing pasta washes away the starch that helps your sauce cling to it. The only exception is cold pasta salad, where you want it to stop cooking and not stick together. For anything hot, skip the rinse — that starchy water is doing you a favour. #ChefBobbyCooks #CookingMyths #PastaTips #KitchenScie