It is well known that a potato bakes faster if a large nail is stuck through it. Why? Does an aluminum nail work better than a steel one? Why or why not? (Note: Don’t try this in a microwave oven!) There is also a gadget on the market to hasten the roasting of meat; it consists of a hollow metal tube containing a wick and some water. This is claimed to work much better than a solid metal rod. How does it work?