In a feat that gives new spin to the phrase "firing up the grill," scientists from Syracuse University (SU) teamed up with a British art and design duo in creating a molten lava grill.
In a program known as the Lava Project, SU professors Jeff Karson of the Earth Sciences department and Bob Wysocki of the Visual and Performing Arts led a group of researchers in designing a man-made volcano capable of producing artificial lava flow using molten basalt.
The basalt lava can reach temperatures of up to 1200 to 1600 degrees Celsius, or 2192 to 2912 degrees Fahrenheit.
This gave the design team of Bompas & Parr the idea to come up with the world's hottest barbecue grill. Chef Sam Bompas had once tried to roast marshmallows using lava from Sakurajima, an active volcano in Japan.
However, the self-proclaimed "architectural foodsmith" expressed his desire to try other experiences as well. This is why they contacted the professors from Syracuse University to set up Bompas & Parr's latest culinary stunt.
"Cooking with lava is simply the most spectacular way to grill a 10-ounce rib-eye steak," the chef said in a recent interview. "You are standing before this molten lava that [is] flowing out, and it is beautiful."
Wysocki explained that cooking using molten lava flow can be compared to preparing food using a slow cooker Crock-pot. The furnace they use for the synthetic volcano is fitted with a metal containment vessel on the outside and a crucible inside that can withstand extreme heat.
The SU researchers use the man-made volcano to study the flow of lava. It is considered safer than going on a field research beside an active volcano.
Bompas took note of the difference between the lava grill and most other professional ovens. He said commercial ovens only reach up to 750 degrees Fahrenheit, but the lava grill can fire up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
The heat of the lava grill charred the steak on the outside, but the inside of the meat was kept medium rare. Bompas said there were also no gases produced during the grilling, which would normally be the case when cooking on a wood, charcoal or open gas flame.
The challenge to using the lava grill, however, is that it takes 60 to 70 hours to fire up its furnace using rocks.
Bompas said he now plans to ship the artificial volcano to London so he could launch a "lava banquet" service.
