Boiling Water...Saving Energy

[shel]

Do you boil water with the lid on the pot, or without? Never having thought much about it, it was somewhat surprising to read an article recently that said, according to tests, water will boil 2.8 times faster in a covered pot compared to an uncovered pot. Specific details of the test were not provide - at least I didn't see them - but the disparity seemed quite a bit more than I'd have guessed.

Subsequently, my own test, using equal amounts (24 ounces) of cold tap water in a 1-quart Calphalon stainess steel pot, water boiled almost 4X faster with the lid on compared to the pot being uncovered.

So, to speed cooking and save $$, keep those pots covered whenever appropriate.

shel

[phoebe]

I've always boiled water with the lid on. And I usually know it has come to a boil from the loud splashing and hissing noise of water hitting the hot stove when it boils over from under the lid

[kuan]

Lid on, saves time!

[Ishbel]

Ask any housewife: lid on saves STEAMING up the kitchen.

Most British households use an electric kettle, and I use that boiled water in saucepans for boiling vegetables, too.

[DC Sunshine]

Ditto that here Ishbel. Boil in kettle, into pot, lid on, re-boils in no time. This is also a big help if you can't find the right darned lid.....

[Ishbel]

What are these men LIKE, DC Sunshine?!!!

[DC Sunshine]

Hehehehe Ish...I know...I KNOW!!!!!