Let’s be real: heat isn’t a superhero with no weaknesses. It can’t kill prions—those twisted proteins that cause mad cow disease. You’d need to incinerate them at, like, 1,000°F for hours. Also, as we mentioned, spores laugh at your boiling kettle. And wait for it—some bacteria, like Thermus aquaticus, actually love hot springs. They’re the heat vampires of the microbe world, thriving at 160°F.
So, while heat is your best friend in the kitchen, trust but verify. For canning, use a pressure cooker. For everyday cleaning, hot water and soap do the trick. And if you’re ever in doubt, remember: heat is not a magic wand—it’s a great bludgeon.
