While standard culinary guides advise against burning meals, many home chefs argue that certain dishes require alarm-level heat to reach their full potential. In a thread on r/foodquestions, redditors weigh in on the ingredients they prefer to leave on the stove far longer than recommended. These bold cooks stand by their charred creations.

1. Extremely roasted veggies

Taking vegetables past the point of tender can yield a magical, caramelized flavor. Diners agree that aggressive oven roasting transforms these healthy sides into irresistible, crispy snacks.

2. Diner-style hash browns

Nothing disappoints quite like soggy potatoes alongside a morning breakfast platter. Enthusiasts insist on pushing spuds to their absolute textural limits for maximum crunch.

3. Backyard hot dogs

A gentle grilling simply doesn’t cut it for wieners. Aficionados specifically request their franks split, blistered, and thoroughly darkened before hitting the bun.

4. Campfire marshmallows

Golden brown is an acceptable shade for amateurs, but certain campfire veterans demand complete immolation. A bitter outer shell perfectly complements the melted center.

5. Scrambled eggs

Soft, French-style scrambles remain popular in high-end restaurants, but many breakfast lovers firmly reject any hint of liquid in the pan.

6. Pillowy soft pasta

Al dente translates to having a firm bite, which is considered the gold standard for Italian cooking. However, a rebellious faction of carb loaders prefers their noodles incredibly soft.

7. Chicken thighs and legs

Standard poultry cooking sometimes leaves dark meat feeling slightly rubbery. Pushing the heat well beyond recommendations offers a dramatic bite.

As it turns out, some people just prefer things… burnt — cookbooks be damned. These techniques aren’t for everyone, but the scorched results set certain diners’ hearts aflame.

What’s an overcooked dish you enjoy? Read the full opinions in r/foodquestions, and find more conversations like this in r/Cooking, r/food, and r/AskCulinary.

This story highlights the perspectives of Reddit users, not Reddit, Inc. Some posts or comments may be lightly edited for clarity. Questions or concerns? Contact us at upvoted@reddit.com.