I feel the same way in regards to the frustration and the lack of patience at this point. It has been two years since the physics engine was released. Bugs need to be fixed before new features. Period.
At this time, I am not aware of a work-around for the current bug. The code given above reduces/eliminates the explosions, but it introduces the slowdown effect. This effect is not minimal and it is basically unusable.
@Conitec: Please fix the current physics bugs before adding new features! Pretty please with lots of sugar on top.
Jason