Boiling Water

Sounds simple enough get a pot, fill with water and put some heat underneath it. This is the general principle and in most cases this is exactly what you do. You probably don't have to turn the heat up all the way, but you can. By placing a lid or covering the pots opening, the water will boil quicker and less water will evaporate, this doesn’t mean you should always place a lid on a pot. Only if a recipe calls for the pot to have its lid on or be covered should you cover it. Adding salt is often done, and this will also make the water boil quicker, depending on how much is added it can also affect the item being cooked.

You might think that using hot water will make it boil quicker, this does not seem to be the case and the difference in time, if any, is minimal. When heating water, unless the recipe specifically calls for warm or hot tap water, start with cold water.

The altitude you are trying to boil the water will also change how quickly and at what temperature water boils at, this should not be of great concern to most..

 

Simering