In the event of a cook-off, what is the minimum time to wait before taking further action if the round cannot be extracted?

In the event of a cook-off, waiting for 15 minutes is critical because it allows sufficient time for the round to cool down and decreases the risk of accidental ignition. During a cook-off, the ammunition heats up due to extended exposure to heat or the environment, which could lead to a spontaneous detonation.

The 15-minute wait provides a safety buffer, ensuring that the ammunition has had enough time to stabilize. If the round cannot be extracted after the initial failure, taking action too soon may result in a dangerous situation, while a longer wait time could unnecessarily delay operations without significant increase in safety. Therefore, 15 minutes is the established waiting period before taking any further action.