36 replies to this topic

[TheBlueRaja]

Ok,
Its Friday afternoon and im kinda bored so i was watching some weird Ozzie ad i saw on reddit about dumb ways to die. One of them mentioned was getting your toast out with a fork.

So i got to wondering just how bad it is?

Now, I appreciate that when the toast is cooking and the elements are on that this would be a very dumb idea, so we can just assume that if you do that then you deserve what you get.

However, most folks fish out their toast with a fork or a knife (which we'll assume is all metal) AFTER the cooking is done and the element is off, then, is it so bad, is there still a risk?

Also, we'll assume here were all too lazy to turn off or pull out the plug.

Any electricians or accidental self shockers out there who can testify?

[threetonesun]

It "can" happen, a toaster works by sending an electric current through metal coils which heat up. It "could" still send a current while it's off, if the wiring is done incorrectly.

That said, it's pretty unlikely. Personally I just jiggle the toaster until the toast pops out.

[Draconian Guppy]

just unplug it and rock and roll!

[xendrome]

I would think it's probably not a good idea.. but if the heating element isn't on, and the lever pressed down, then there is no electricity passing through that area of the toaster.

[Astra.Xtreme]

If it's plugged in, but not turned on, there is a very low chance of getting shocked. If you do, the toaster is faulty. If it's on, then yeah it's really really easy to get shocked. The current coming out of a wall socket will vary rarely kill somebody, unless they are really unlucky. Your skin is thick enough to protect you from that.

[Andrew Lyle]

My toaster has a popup feature. It raises the highest of the toast so you can easily grab it with your fingers.

But resulting with the old method I sometimes still use a fork to pierce the toast with a knife.

[Marshall]

Do what I do. Drop the lever just before it locks down, then slingshot it up. Toast comes flying in the air, then catch it in mid-air.

[Mordkanin]

If your outlet is poorly wired, say, swapping L1 and Neutral (I've seen it, a lot), and the toaster only has a SPST switch on L1, you could get a shock even when the element is off.

[jwjw1]

Just keep in mind that electricity is 'invisible'...its not the volts that generally kill people..its the amperage (voltage burns...amperage kills). 0.5 amps is enough to stop a heart...most US house circuits are on 15/20 amp breakers. There is always the possiblity of a defective 'element' that doesn't glow because its lack of voltage...but does complete a circuit that could still carry 'amperage'. The only way to safely ensure it doesn't have current is to 'unplug' it from its source.

The most general part of electricity is it takes the least path of resistance to ground...if your not grounded you're pretty much just going to get 'high dose of tingle.. )...but if your hand is energized and your foot is grounded...you might end up with a hole in your foot or blownout toes.

[The_Decryptor]

"Most people" use a knife or fork to get toast out of their toasters? What kind of crappy toasters do you guys have that requires that?

[Shane Nokes]

Marshall, on 17 November 2012 - 02:50, said:

Do what I do. Drop the lever just before it locks down, then slingshot it up. Toast comes flying in the air, then catch it in mid-air.

I do that as well.

The_Decryptor, on 17 November 2012 - 02:59, said:

"Most people" use a knife or fork to get toast out of their toasters? What kind of crappy toasters do you guys have that requires that?

Indeed. That's an odd thing to have said...since most people I know don't do that.

[Growled]

Marshall, on 17 November 2012 - 02:50, said:

Do what I do. Drop the lever just before it locks down, then slingshot it up. Toast comes flying in the air, then catch it in mid-air.

I'm not that coordinated.

[+jeston]

The_Decryptor, on 17 November 2012 - 02:59, said:

"Most people" use a knife or fork to get toast out of their toasters? What kind of crappy toasters do you guys have that requires that?

Yep, can't say the thought has ever even crossed my mind...

[Rappy]

The_Decryptor, on 17 November 2012 - 02:59, said:

"Most people" use a knife or fork to get toast out of their toasters? What kind of crappy toasters do you guys have that requires that?

yeah

[Colin McGregor]

I do it all the time if I use thick bread. Happens more often then not. Just unplug it if your scared.