How can I tell if I have a hard crack stage without a thermometer?

Chef's answer
If you don't have a candy thermometer, you can use the cold water test in a pinch: Drop a spoonful of hot syrup into cold water, then remove the candy from the water and attempt to bend it. If your syrup has reached the hard-crack stage, it will form brittle strands in the water and crack as you bend it.
Frequently asked Questions 🎓
A: Meatloaf usually cracks when the outside has cooked much more quickly than the inside. When meat cooks, the proteins contract and bind together.
Cracker Barrel's Corned Beef n' Cabbage features hand-sliced, grilled corned beef with oven-roasted cabbage, carrots and potatoes in a savory broth, served with Gulden's Spicy Brown Mustard. Customers will also have a choice of made-from-scratch buttermilk biscuits or corn muffins with real butter.
Q: Why does my meatloaf always crack while cooking? A: Meatloaf usually cracks when the outside has cooked much more quickly than the inside. When meat cooks, the proteins contract and bind together.
A generous portion of our USDA Choice steak fried and topped with Sawmill Gravy. Served with your choice of two or three Country Sides and hand-rolled Buttermilk Biscuits or Corn Muffins..
However, fresh-caught crab is not always sold fresh. ... This allows folks to buy crab legs no shell, or already cracked crab legs. Also known as peeled crab legs or shelled crab legs, no shell crab legs can be a helpful purchase.
Directions
  • Steam. Add crab legs to boiling salted water. Steam 4 to 5 minutes or until heated through, turning occasionally. ...
  • Crack Leg at the Joint. Twist crab leg at the joint and pull out the tendon. ...
  • Cut Leg Open with Scissors. Use kitchen shears to cut through the shells.
  • Q: Why does my meatloaf always crack while cooking? A: Meatloaf usually cracks when the outside has cooked much more quickly than the inside. When meat cooks, the proteins contract and bind together.
    A few more cooking questions 📍