Tequila-marinated turkey causes oven mishap on Madison's west side

Channel3000 News ^ | June 16, 2026 | Sam Calderone

[Diana in Wisconsin]

MADISON, Wis. -- An apartment occupant reportedly used tequila to marinade a home-cooked turkey Sunday evening, causing the oven door to "blow open."

According to the Madison Fire Department, the 911 caller said they were cooking a turkey in the oven for eight minutes when the oven door "blew open."

Firefighters arrived at the 5000 block of Old Middleton Road at 6:16 p.m. to check the oven. A thermal imaging camera was used, and firefighters opened the oven, which had blue flames that came out.

The oven was removed from the apartment, and the occupant said they have used this recipe before and had no issues.

Although the occupant had used this recipe before with no issues, firefighters presume the accumulated vapors from the alcohol were not being vented properly from the oven and, when exposed to oxygen, would ignite.

According to MFD, the occupant had to be evaluated for burns but was not taken to the hospital.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Never take Tequila to a Turkey Fight, Dude!

[9YearLurker]

Unfortunate cultural mashup.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

[Red Badger]

That’s why I always baste my turkeys with diesel.........Lest likely to explode.............

[SaveFerris]

It’s another Tequila Turkey 🦃
Flaming slowly across the sky
Said goodbye....

[Samurai_Jack]

Seemed like a good idea at the time!

[kawhill]

An apartment occupant reportedly used tequila to marinade a home-cooked turkey Sunday evening, causing the oven door to “blow open.” Well, there’s the problem, I only use vodka to marinate the turkey.

[6ppc]

Tequila makes your crib burn up!

[tumblindice]

“As God is my witness ... “ Arthur Carlson

[logi_cal869]

My turkey doesn’t care for tequila.

Does that mean that I’m safe?

Asking for a friend... /s

[Spacetrucker]

That’s actually an interesting idea. Not sure what it does for the flavor but ...

[logi_cal869]

There are better hair removal techniques...

[Samurai_Jack]

Turkey’s done :)

[Spacetrucker]

The heat should have vaporized the alcohol, I occasionally have a steak done in Jack Daniels and it’s quite good.

[Spacetrucker]

Thoughts... perhaps they put the marinate in the pan with the turkey, that certainly could cause the problem here. Marinated meat with alcohol is done regularly.

[Ueriah]

I am not one to shy away from flavor but I am unconvinced that boozing up the turkey tastes good.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

“Tequila makes your crib burn up!”

LOL!

[Veto!]

I prefer gin.

[dfwgator]

[Fledermaus]

Should have injected it instead