Launch in 1974, the Presto Hot Dogger was an electric hot dog cooker that could cook several hot dogs at once by electrifying metal prongs that pierced the ends of each hot dog – essentially using electricity to heat the meat directly. However, many users found it unsafe or unappetizing; the hot dogs could get scorched, split, or taste metallic. There were also safety concerns because the device used exposed electrical contacts and could potentially shock users if mishandled. The rise and eventual ubiquity of the safer and more versatile microwave oven effectively rendered the Hot Dogger obsolete in most homes.
