Unexplained happening with cooker ! Serious replies only please.

[Jillius]

My cooker has a ceramic hob and the other day I was cooking some mince. It was uncovered and only on a gentle simmer. Suddenly there was a huge bang and when i rushed into the kitchen there was mince everywhere, all over the walls, floor etc. I am at an absolute loss as to what could have caused it. I carried on simmering the bit that was left and it happened again. I now daren't use the hob at all.
Please, seriously, has anyone got an explanation ????

[McMouse]

What had you minced?

[KARL]

The only rational explanation I can think of is that intense but very localised boiling took place at the bottom of the pot. This would result in violent release of the pressure that builds up as water transits from liquid to steam - the resultant release is upward through the contents of the pot, flinging the overlying food out of the pot. Such a phenomenon is most likely to occur if the temperature setting is high, there is no stirring, and the contents are partially frozen or at least in some way lumpy. Such conditions slow or prevent or seriously slow down the natural convection within the mass and any gradual movement within it that allows warm food to gently rise and cooler food to sink (natural intermixing). Presumably the hob functions correctly with the entire element at even heat.

[Jillius]

Thanks Karl, there were no lumps or frozen parts in it, and it had been simmering gently for quite a while before it happened. I suppose your theory is the only one that can be right but i'm scared to use it again. Also, I wonder why it has never happened before as I cook mince a lot ! Very odd.

[Old_Geezer]

Mince everywhere suggests to me that whatever happened, happened in the pot, not to do the hob itself. My guess is that the type of hob would have made little difference.

Perhaps you should stick to something safer, like bangers & mash ?

[Seafarer1966]

minced gelignite?

[Bbbananas]

Sorry - have no answer for you at all - just had to say that I always titter when I hear the word 'mince'. It makes me start tottering about like Larry Grayson. I get odd looks in the meat aisle at Tesco.