Does a gherkin really glow green when an electric current is put through it and does this work for any other fruit or vegetable?

sequoianoir

I'm not that sure that it is green but you definitely get quite a glow. I think that it is more orange from the demonstrations I have seen. The circuit through a gherkin or similar, when a high enough voltage and current is applied to electrodes at opposite ends, is due to its water content. It is basically just a "filament" through which an arc can be achieved. When it lights up you are cooking it at the same time. Other vegetables will work providing they have a high enough water content (may take more volts/amps to achieve an arc the lower it is) and I understand cucumber, courgette and tomatoes work well. They do get hot and may fizz and pop and steam a bit. This can cause them to explode, like an old potato in a microwave oven, if the skin is "airtight". Dec 23 03, 5:49 PM