ScrewDog makes a consistent spiral cut by holding the blade at an angle while you roll the tool over your hot dog.
The basic motion is simple: press, roll, return, repeat.
Here's how to get the best spiral.
How to Use ScrewDog
1. A Surface with Space
Place a firm, uncooked hot dog horizontally on a clean, dry cutting surface with enough space to roll forward.
Keeping both the hot dog and surface dry is important. You want the hot dog to roll, not slide.
2. Position the Blade
Place ScrewDog over the hot dog with the blade near the right tip.
Apply moderate downward pressure until you feel the blade puncture the surface of the hot dog. This first cut establishes the beginning of your spiral.
3. Press and Roll Forward
Maintain steady downward pressure and push ScrewDog forward.
The hot dog should roll underneath the tool as the blade creates the spiral around its exterior.
You're looking for a smooth rolling motion rather than dragging the tool across the hot dog.
4. Return and Repeat
Bring ScrewDog back to the starting position.
The blade will re-enter the previous cut, allowing you to continue the spiral farther down the hot dog.
Press, roll forward, return, and repeat until you've reached the other end.
For a typical hot dog, it usually takes about two and a half to three passes to complete the spiral from end to end.
That's it.
Tips for Getting a Great Spiral
- Keep everything dry. A wet hot dog or cutting surface can cause slipping.
- Use moderate, steady pressure. Too little pressure can prevent the blade from staying engaged. You don't need to force it.
- Focus on the roll. The hot dog should rotate underneath ScrewDog rather than slide across the surface.
- Let the blade find the previous cut. When you return to the starting position, make sure the blade re-enters the existing spiral before your next pass.
- Start with a firm, relatively straight hot dog. These tend to roll most consistently and produce the cleanest spirals.
What Should the Spiral Look Like?
Before cooking, you're looking for a continuous cut wrapping around the hot dog from end to end.
Don't expect the spiral to be fully opened yet.
As the hot dog heats and expands during cooking, the cut opens and the spiral becomes much more pronounced.
Get the Feel
There's a small amount of feel involved in using ScrewDog, mostly finding the right combination of pressure and rolling motion.
Once you've got it, the process becomes almost automatic:
Press. Roll. Return. Repeat.
Make the spiral on a clean, dry surface before cooking, then take your hot dog to the grill, griddle, air fryer, or however you like to cook it.
That's ScrewDog.
A simple twist on an American classic.