Don Schaffner
@bugcounter.bsky.social
Distinguished Professor, Extension Specialist and podcaster.
Views my own.
The best way to get your topic covered on our Risky or Not podcast is to use this link: bit.ly/RiskyorNot
Views my own.
The best way to get your topic covered on our Risky or Not podcast is to use this link: bit.ly/RiskyorNot
Egg nog is a popular topic this time of year, so answer a slightly different version of one we've answered before
879. Homemade Egg Nog Over 2 Years Old — Risky or Not?
Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of drinking homemade egg nog over 2 years old- Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼 Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼
www.riskyornot.co
January 21, 2026 at 9:27 PM
Egg nog is a popular topic this time of year, so answer a slightly different version of one we've answered before
Today's episode is a bit silly and points out the cultures sometimes obsession with germs
878. Not UV Sterilizing Coffee Scoop After Use — Risky or Not?
Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of not UV sterilizing coffee scoop after use. Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼 Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼
www.riskyornot.co
January 19, 2026 at 6:21 PM
Today's episode is a bit silly and points out the cultures sometimes obsession with germs
In this episode www.riskyornot.co/ep... I was really thinking it might be #NotRisky, but then pesky evidence got in the way.
877. One Liter of Water From an "Uncontrolled" Sintra Portugal Water Fountain — Risky or Not?
Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from drinking water from an "uncontrolled" Sintra Portugal water fountain. Dr. Don - risky ☣️ Professor Ben - risky ☣️
www.riskyornot.co
January 16, 2026 at 9:44 PM
In this episode www.riskyornot.co/ep... I was really thinking it might be #NotRisky, but then pesky evidence got in the way.
I had a bit of fun making the image for this one www.riskyornot.co/ep... with ChatGPT. I knew better than to try to fix the arrows as I was pretty sure it would only make it worse.
876. Continuously Reusing an Unwashed French Press for Coffee and Tea — Risky or Not?
Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from continuously reusing an unwashed french press for coffee and tea. Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼 Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼
www.riskyornot.co
January 14, 2026 at 7:26 PM
I had a bit of fun making the image for this one www.riskyornot.co/ep... with ChatGPT. I knew better than to try to fix the arrows as I was pretty sure it would only make it worse.
I was really relieved to see that in today's episode www.riskyornot.co/ep... we are consistent all the way back to episode 14.
875. OneTrueJustin's Parents Half Eaten Banana — Risky or Not?
Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from leaving a half a cut banana at room temperature for 24 hours. Dr. Don - risky ☣️ Professor Ben - risky ☣️
www.riskyornot.co
January 12, 2026 at 5:27 PM
I was really relieved to see that in today's episode www.riskyornot.co/ep... we are consistent all the way back to episode 14.
Reposted by Don Schaffner
The emergence of George, who wears the hat so the party will find him:
January 6, 2026 at 2:34 PM
The emergence of George, who wears the hat so the party will find him:
This was a long one www.riskyornot.co/ep..., and Ben and I talk about why this is risky and why science might be able to help.
874. Dry Canning Potatoes — Risky or Not?
Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from pressure canning cooked potatoes without added water. Dr. Don - risky ☣️ Professor Ben - risky ☣️
www.riskyornot.co
January 9, 2026 at 5:37 PM
This was a long one www.riskyornot.co/ep..., and Ben and I talk about why this is risky and why science might be able to help.
Reposted by Don Schaffner
here's this vintage jeopardy clip with ken jennings
January 7, 2026 at 9:25 PM
here's this vintage jeopardy clip with ken jennings
In today's episode www.riskyornot.co/ep... hang our hats on the idea that this risk is being appropriately managed by the restaurant.
873. Leftover Conveyer Belt Sushi — Risky or Not?
Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating leftover conveyer belt sushi. Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼 Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼
www.riskyornot.co
January 8, 2026 at 12:06 AM
In today's episode www.riskyornot.co/ep... hang our hats on the idea that this risk is being appropriately managed by the restaurant.
This www.riskyornot.co/ep... was an interesting episode, I got into a bit of an argument with ChatGPT after it told me that the medium rare chicken in the image was unsafe chatgpt.com/share/69...
872. Medium Rare Chicken — Risky or Not?
Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating medium rare (not ground) chicken. Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼 Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼
www.riskyornot.co
January 5, 2026 at 5:28 PM
This www.riskyornot.co/ep... was an interesting episode, I got into a bit of an argument with ChatGPT after it told me that the medium rare chicken in the image was unsafe chatgpt.com/share/69...
This is a more risky #NotRisky episode 😝
871. Eating 1 or 2 Bites of Undercooked Ground Pork — Risky or Not?
Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating 1 or 2 bites of undercooked ground pork. Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼 Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼
www.riskyornot.co
January 2, 2026 at 5:42 PM
This is a more risky #NotRisky episode 😝
Reposted by Don Schaffner
An old one, but great by James Acaster
January 1, 2026 at 3:07 AM
An old one, but great by James Acaster
This is another one where the risks are not really microbiological. Using a metal drill bit in a glass (or plastic) container seems foolish.
870. A Smoothie Made With a Cordless Drill — Risky or Not?
Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from making a smoothie using a cordless drill. Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼 Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼
www.riskyornot.co
December 31, 2025 at 5:08 PM
This is another one where the risks are not really microbiological. Using a metal drill bit in a glass (or plastic) container seems foolish.
Sheeeeeeeeeeit.
As fine an actor as he was, Isiah was an even better spirit and the greatest gentleman.
‘The Wire’ actor Isiah Whitlock Jr. dies at 71
"The Wire" actor Isiah Whitlock Jr. died on Tuesday at age 71.
www.thebanner.com
December 31, 2025 at 3:33 AM
Sheeeeeeeeeeit.
I'm not sure that's even mold but whatever it is it's not risky. I think I convinced Ben it's not ice cream either.
869. Moldy Clay — Risky or Not?
Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from moldy clay. Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼 Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼
www.riskyornot.co
December 29, 2025 at 5:25 PM
I'm not sure that's even mold but whatever it is it's not risky. I think I convinced Ben it's not ice cream either.
Reposted by Don Schaffner
still not too late to get vaccinated!
The flu can be serious for anyone, but those most at risk for serious complications include children under 5. It’s been a recommended vaccine for them for many years now.
www.voicesforvaccines.org/vaccine-info...
www.voicesforvaccines.org/vaccine-info...
Information about Influenza
Influenza is a viral illness that can be serious for anyone but particularly dangerous for children under 2 and older adults. Learn about Influenza and the vaccine that prevents it.
www.voicesforvaccines.org
December 27, 2025 at 11:32 PM
still not too late to get vaccinated!
In today's episode, I was much more worried about physical risk, not microbiological risk. Boiling a sealed can seems like a bad idea.
868. Homemade Caramel Sauce Left Out Over Night — Risky or Not?
Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from leaving homemade caramel sauce out over night. Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼 Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼
www.riskyornot.co
December 26, 2025 at 7:35 PM
In today's episode, I was much more worried about physical risk, not microbiological risk. Boiling a sealed can seems like a bad idea.
This episode is a perfect example of why we do the show. Take a seemingly naïve question and expand on why it's a good question, and what we think about it: www.riskyornot.co/ep...
More frustrating adventures with the artist ChattyG: chatgpt.com/share/69...
More frustrating adventures with the artist ChattyG: chatgpt.com/share/69...
867. Using Tongs — Risky or Not?
Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from using tongs to pick up food. Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼 Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼
www.riskyornot.co
December 24, 2025 at 11:53 PM
This episode is a perfect example of why we do the show. Take a seemingly naïve question and expand on why it's a good question, and what we think about it: www.riskyornot.co/ep...
More frustrating adventures with the artist ChattyG: chatgpt.com/share/69...
More frustrating adventures with the artist ChattyG: chatgpt.com/share/69...
Note that in the original, Alton did not have fish in the cooler, I just added them for laughs. Don't actually thaw your chicken with goldfish.
866. Thawing Chicken With an Aquarium Pump — Risky or Not?
Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of using an aquarium pump to circulate the water to aid in thawing a chicken in a cooler of water. Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼 Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼
www.riskyornot.co
December 22, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Note that in the original, Alton did not have fish in the cooler, I just added them for laughs. Don't actually thaw your chicken with goldfish.
Nice episode about a topic I have wanted to discuss for a while. www.riskyornot.co/ep...
To see how poorly ChatGPT understands spatial relationships, take a look at this: chatgpt.com/share/69...
Bonus points if you understand the significance of 84°F.
To see how poorly ChatGPT understands spatial relationships, take a look at this: chatgpt.com/share/69...
Bonus points if you understand the significance of 84°F.
865. Cleaning a Food Thermometer With Just Water — Risky or Not?
Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of cleaning a food thermometer with just water. Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼 Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼
www.riskyornot.co
December 19, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Nice episode about a topic I have wanted to discuss for a while. www.riskyornot.co/ep...
To see how poorly ChatGPT understands spatial relationships, take a look at this: chatgpt.com/share/69...
Bonus points if you understand the significance of 84°F.
To see how poorly ChatGPT understands spatial relationships, take a look at this: chatgpt.com/share/69...
Bonus points if you understand the significance of 84°F.
Reposted by Don Schaffner
The Vanity Fair photographer from the Susie Wiles story.
Holy. Shit.
www.washingtonpost.com/style/power/...
Holy. Shit.
www.washingtonpost.com/style/power/...
December 17, 2025 at 8:34 PM
The Vanity Fair photographer from the Susie Wiles story.
Holy. Shit.
www.washingtonpost.com/style/power/...
Holy. Shit.
www.washingtonpost.com/style/power/...
Honestly if you just read the Brooklyn Subreddit post, you'll get most of the way there in terms of our own analysis:
864. Tap Water From a Sketchy Bathroom Sink — Risky or Not?
Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from drinking tapwater from a bathroom sink where the bathroom smells like a bathroom. Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼 Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼
www.riskyornot.co
December 17, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Honestly if you just read the Brooklyn Subreddit post, you'll get most of the way there in terms of our own analysis:
This episode is for anyone who wants to hear Ben and I talk way too much about sinks, drains and drain plugs
863. Taking a Pill Dropped in the Bathroom Sink — Risky or Not?
Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from taking a pill dropped in the bathroom sink for less than five seconds. Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼 Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼
www.riskyornot.co
December 15, 2025 at 11:33 PM
This episode is for anyone who wants to hear Ben and I talk way too much about sinks, drains and drain plugs
It was an editorial decision to use a hippie in the image. Not that hippies are dirty... He does have a kind of John Roderick vibe, although famously John is more of a preppy.
862. Wearing "New" Clothes Without Washing — Risky or Not?
Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of wearing "new" (to you) clothes without washing first. Dr. Don - not risky 👍🏼 Professor Ben - not risky 👍🏼
www.riskyornot.co
December 12, 2025 at 5:23 PM
It was an editorial decision to use a hippie in the image. Not that hippies are dirty... He does have a kind of John Roderick vibe, although famously John is more of a preppy.