This Chef Can Dip His Hands in Boiling Hot Oil and Not Get Hurt

(Image: Gulf News)

Prem Kumar is, amazingly, still alive! His hands are in great condition, even though he regularly dips them in boiling oil.

Kumar, 65, is a chef in New Delhi. When he was young, he saw his father, from whom he inherited the restaurant, casually dip his hands in pots of boiling oil. Kumar tried it himself and found that he could do it, too.

Now people visit his shop not only for the fish, but for the amazing show he puts on. On request from his customers, he'll dip his hands in the oil.

(Video Link)

Are you worried about this practice being unhygenic? Don't! That oil is 200°C. It will kill any bacteria on his hands.

-via Oddity Central

Check out more amazing talents over at our Mad Skills blog

There are several variations of this used as a science demonstration and that have also been used as part of a scam to demonstrate witchdoctor ability. It is usually based on the Leidenfrost effect, with the sources of moisture depending on the setup, but sometimes just what is on the hand. Often it is done with molten lead, which is a little hotter than fry oil.

It is one of those types of demonstrations that can be done wrong and get a person badly hurt. Someone who knows what they are doing can show novices how to do it, although there is some argument over how risky it still is.

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I'm simply creeped out that the guy's putting his dirty hands in the oil he's cooking my food in...

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