Comments for Keep These Numbers Handy If You're Cooking A Turkey

Keep These Numbers Handy If You're Cooking A Turkey

2009-11-26T13:00:02Z

Are you cooking a turkey, but are not accustomed to baking and carving entire animals? You're not alone, and there are hotlines full of helpful and knowledgeable people ready to help you with any and all poultry crises. Or other food safety issues.

There's also an app for that--the interactive Turkey Timer iPhone application is on sale for $1.99 today (regular price $2.99). It reminds you when to baste, tells you how long until the turkey is cooked, and even estimates the internal temperature of your bird. (Warning: do not insert iPhone inside turkey.)

The most famous Thanksgiving hotline is the one set up by Butterball, but courtesy of Consumer Reports, here are some others you may not be aware of:

American Association of Poison Control Centers 800-222-1222
U.S. Department of Agriculture
888-674-6854 (8 a.m. to 2 p.m. EST Thanksgiving Day)

AskKaren.gov
(a virtual representative that answers food-safety questions)

Butterball Turkey hotline
800-288-8372

Finally, I leave you with one of the greatest scenes from "The West Wing." Where the sitting President of the United States calls the Butterball hotline.

Hot turkey help lines [Consumer Reports Safety]

(Photo: Photos o' Randomness)

Comment from gcas on 2009-11-27

2009-11-28T02:38:58Z

Dude, that episode of The West Wing is my favorite. We actually watched it this morning!

Comment from theblackdog on 2009-11-27

2009-11-27T18:09:42Z

What the hell were you guys watching that you gave a football fan a death stare for putting on the game?!

Comment from pecan 3.14159265 on 2009-11-27

2009-11-27T14:58:56Z

I don't think we've ever put the stuffing in the bird...it's just preferance. Keeping it ouside the bird means we can control the cooking speed and slow it down if it looks like people are going to be late.

Comment from Paladin_11 on 2009-11-27

2009-11-27T05:22:30Z

I imagine a city the size of Fargo has more than one zip code.

Comment from Paladin_11 on 2009-11-27

2009-11-27T05:20:51Z

Any reference to "Super Troopers" automatically is a win in any call of shenanigans. I bow to you sir.

Comment from umbriago on 2009-11-26

2009-11-27T02:37:22Z

There's a risk of death from stuffing? oh.

I haven't done a lot of turkeys at my house, but I did this year, and while only two of my cats were interested in the tasty bird, BOY, were they interested.

Comment from GitEmSteveDave_PrepsForTheMeetUp on 2009-11-26

2009-11-27T02:36:12Z

Apparently the director/producer uses the zip code as a running gag.

Comment from GitEmSteveDave_PrepsForTheMeetUp on 2009-11-26

2009-11-27T02:35:13Z

Grumble grumble

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u45/gitemstevedave/Gawker/Shenanigans.gif

Comment from B on 2009-11-26

2009-11-27T02:02:35Z

Mr President, I mean Mr Betherson, stuffing not cooked in the bird is called dressing. And I think it's better that way. For one thing, you can make multiple kinds of dressing. And there's less risk of death, which is nice. Also, if you do it right, it tastes better. Be sure to use chicken stock or turkey stock to give the dressing the right flavor, though.

Comment from GitEmSteveDave_PrepsForTheMeetUp on 2009-11-26

2009-11-27T01:48:15Z

We have a call of Shenanigans!

Comment from rihan on 2009-11-26

2009-11-26T22:16:25Z

I always get a good laugh whenever I watch that scene....but only one problem....they give the wrong zip code for Fargo, it's actually 58102.

Comment from Trai_Dep on 2009-11-26

2009-11-26T21:27:21Z

Don't.
Babies have WAY more bad cholesterol than turkeys.

Comment from Trai_Dep on 2009-11-26

2009-11-26T21:25:48Z

OK, despite not being greeted with, "Wonderful Maker of Tonight's Feast, Here's Your Cup of Dark Coffee and a Fluffy New Kitten!", I heard, "Why Isn't the Turkey in the Oven Yet?!", I'm less crazed.
Heavy lifting is done (bird in the oven (breast-down, 'natch), stuffing is done (in and out of the bird to forestall controversy), veggies are washed), I've a glass of wine mixing pleasantly with the pot of coffee in my tummy, and the first guest to dared to flip the TV to some football game received so many Glares of Death that he actually apologized and calm was restored.
A football fan actually apologized for his mistake.

It's going to be a great evening. Have a wonderful No Good Deed Ever Goes Unpunished (American Indian Version) Day, everyone!

Comment from Cat_In_A_Hat on 2009-11-26

2009-11-26T20:37:05Z

it's my birthday today! yeah for turkey! happy thanksgiving everyone!

Comment from doctor_cos wants you to remain calm on 2009-11-26

2009-11-26T20:28:53Z

C'mon, make with the story.
Don't be such a...

Comment from Paladin_11 on 2009-11-26

2009-11-26T19:47:25Z

It was definitely real. "The West Wing" was such an awesome show. Find the episode "Two Cathedrals" if you want to see TV at its finest.

Comment from Paladin_11 on 2009-11-26

2009-11-26T19:45:31Z

I'm bummed... this story was posted last night, during which time I wrote an incredibly witty and humorous reply. Then the story was pulled and that message was lost. Now here it is again. But I won't fall for these shenanigans twice.

You're all just going to have to make do.

Comment from Sian on 2009-11-26

2009-11-26T19:35:04Z

It's okay as long as the stuffing is HOT when you put it in. Otherwise, you're adding mass to the bird and almost insuring that the best bits will be dry and overcooked by the time the middle is done.

Comment from Eldritch on 2009-11-26

2009-11-26T17:32:55Z

But Alton Brown said it's bad to do that! D:

Comment from Dustbunny on 2009-11-26

2009-11-26T17:12:49Z

Was that a real scene from The West Wing, or did they film that as a spoof?

Comment from Nicole on 2009-11-26

2009-11-26T15:36:31Z

That clip was awesome.

And anyone who doesn't put the stuffing inside the bird is committing thanksgiving sacrilege.

Comment from GitEmSteveDave_PrepsForTheMeetUp on 2009-11-26

2009-11-26T14:47:20Z

That only happens if you are a babysitter either smoking the "refer" or taking LSD, and messing up those "freaky chromosomes".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wq_mGPkgY_g @10:00 in

Comment from Kuchen on 2009-11-26

2009-11-26T14:12:30Z

My husband keeps mentioning that our turkey weighs the same as the baby, and hopes there isn't a "mix-up".

Comment from GitEmSteveDave_PrepsForTheMeetUp on 2009-11-26

2009-11-26T13:20:18Z

For the first picture, I think the caption should read, "After finishing the baby, the cat gazed at dessert".

Also, nothing from the Snopes article? Come on Laura, if I can't have morning deals, at least put my name in an article. My Ego needs its "medication".

Comment from pervy_the_clown on 2009-11-26

2009-11-26T13:19:39Z

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!