Strange Wacky Thanksgiving Help Line Calls

Each year, clueless cooks have a vast support team at their fingertips. Purveyors of all things Thanksgiving — including Butterball, Reynolds Wrap and even the USDA — offer toll-free help lines to get folks through their holiday cooking nightmares. Don’t forget Facebook and phone app quick-fix resources.


A doggone dinner disaster

A Kentucky cook placed a panicked call about an unwanted ingredient in her Thanksgiving turkey. Tugging and shaking it free didn’t work. In the end, this was the advice that saved the day.

Revvin’ up your roaster

A trucker wanted to forego that whole traditional oven-roasting method and try something different. He called Butterball to see if his approach would be speedier.

Ring and repeat

A 5-year-old Canadian had a second helping of mischief when he gave 911 an earful during dinner. Dispatchers had a pretty sweet hunch that there was no actual emergency and figured there was a logical explanation.

The cleaner, the better

One Butterball caller reportedly wanted to ensure she’d banished those foul fowl germs. Not sure this was the best way, though. During her hotline session, she inquired about the best way to clean off her “cleaner.”

One more for dinner

A Massachusetts woman was busy in the kitchen, when her daughter made an unexpected announcement. The distracted cook quickly called 911 and aided her daughter, but never abandoned her kitchen, or her holiday task.

Turkey-cicle

Who needs an icebox? A Colorado woman got creative when her kitchen got cramped. She called Butterball experts with a unique thawing query. Alas, it was a moot point. She had to make a last-minute grocery store run.

Gourmet on the go

An obviously busy woman placed a call when she needed to make her turkey on the go. The turkey specialist explained why this was a no-no.

Cuts like a knife

One daredevil found knives passé. Subsequently, he quizzed Butterball on whether or not he had the best basting ingredient. He should’ve used this instead.

The big foot approach

A Butterball caller fretted about a fit fiasco. He needed someone to talk him through this smashing solution. Apparently, he was successful. If faced with a behemoth bird next year, he could try this trend instead.

Oldies but goodies?

An Alabama family found a dated bird and wondered if it would cut the muster on Thanksgiving Day. Butterball technicians had this to say.