In recent times, the United States has been experiencing heatwaves across various regions, with many places setting record high temperatures. In the southern part of Arizona, Saguaro National Park witnessed an extraordinary event where bread was successfully baked inside a car due to the scorching heat, saving on oven usage and electricity bills.
Saguaro National Park shared their temperature experiment results on Facebook on June 28th, showcasing their bread-baking technique as a unique way to utilize the extreme heat within the park.
According to their Facebook post, cooking inside cars becomes a common practice during this time of the year. Previously, they have baked cookies and sweet peppers, and this time they decided to experiment with banana bread.
Under direct sunlight, the outdoor temperature soared to 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 degrees Celsius), while the car dashboard reached a staggering 200 degrees Fahrenheit (93.3 degrees Celsius) within an hour!
At 11 a.m., they placed two raw banana bread doughs on the car dashboard and monitored the changes every hour, documenting both the interior and exterior temperatures until 3 p.m. to observe the baking progress.
By 11 a.m., the outside temperature was 97 degrees Fahrenheit (36.1 degrees Celsius), and the car interior temperature rose to 163 degrees Fahrenheit (72.8 degrees Celsius), with the dough slightly lower than the box.
At noon, the external temperature increased to 101 degrees Fahrenheit (38.3 degrees Celsius), while inside the car, it reached 200 degrees Fahrenheit (93.3 degrees Celsius), causing the dough to expand to a level similar to the box.
By 1 p.m., the outside temperature hit 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius), and the car interior rose to 210 degrees Fahrenheit (98.9 degrees Celsius), resulting in further expansion of the dough, exceeding the box height.
By 2 p.m., temperatures kept rising with outside temperature at 105 degrees Fahrenheit (40.6 degrees Celsius) and the car interior reaching 211 degrees Fahrenheit (99.4 degrees Celsius). The dough’s color transitioned from light yellow to a shade close to golden yellow.
At 3 p.m., park staff removed the banana bread from the car. Although the inside remained slightly moist, the appearance displayed a beautifully baked golden color. According to their expertise, baking cookies inside a car is most ideal.
The Facebook post humorously reminds people that cars are not suitable for cooking anything other than food items. According to the National Safety Council’s data from the past 27 years, an average of 37 children per year tragically die from heatstroke after being left inside vehicles. Similarly, as reported by the American Veterinary Medical Association, hundreds of pets also face such dire situations.
The post concludes by stressing the importance of immediate action if you hear crying, barking, or any distressing sounds from a parked car. Life-threatening conditions can arise in just 10 to 20 minutes inside a hot car. It’s crucial to call for help and follow instructions to break the car window to rescue individuals or pets.
Furthermore, before leaving a vehicle, always ensure to check the backseat for any passengers or pets left behind to prevent any accidents.