At what point is water considered "at a boil?"
Lots of recipes call for waiting for the water to come "to a boil." However I have never been sure when that is. From my viewpoint it could be at three different points:
- First start to see small air bubbles coming up from the bottom of the pan
- When the surface of the water is noticeably disturbed by the bubbles
- When it is a full on raging torrent of activity
Depending on the amount of water used, these three points could be several minutes apart from each other, which will affect the cooking time.
Best Answer
By definition, 1 is a simmer (once the bubbles form a steady stream), 2 is a boil, and 3 is a "roiling boil."
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Quick Answer about "At what point is water considered "at a boil?""
Technically, boiling water means it has reached a temperature of 212 F and it's steaming. Bubbles can form well before this temperature point, as low as 160 F.What is considered a boil water?
A boil occurs when large bubbles come from the bottom of the pot and quickly rise to the surface, producing constant steam. At sea level, the boiling point is 212\xb0F; at high altitudes, liquids boil at lower temperatures due to a change in atmospheric pressure.What is considered a simmer?
A simmer is a method of cooking that uses a moderate heat to gently soften foods while slowly combining seasonings and ingredients. It's often used for soups, stews and slow cooking meat. The definition of simmer is to cook a liquid just below the boiling point (212\xb0F), with a range around 185\xb0F to 205\xb0F.At what elevation does water not boil?
At a higher elevation, the lower atmospheric pressure means heated water reaches its boiling point more quickly\u2014i.e., at a lower temperature. Water at sea level boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit; at 5,000 feet above sea level, the boiling point is 203 degrees F. Up at 10,000 feet, water boils at 194 degrees F.What happens if you drink water during a boil water advisory?
What if I accidentally drank tap water before I learned about the Precautionary Boil Water Notice? If this happens, don't panic. The chances of becoming ill are slim. See your doctor if you experience diarrhea, nausea, vomiting or abdominal cramps.How to Boil Water
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Answer 2
One important note is that while bringing water to a boil, there is first a point where a bunch of little bubbles form on the bottom of the pot. These initial bubbles are dissolved air coming out of solution as the water heats. This is not the same as a simmer, The apparent difference between a simmer and air coming out of solution is that in a simmer, the bubbles will continually form and rise towards the surface instead of sitting on the bottom. The initial bubbles will occur at much lower temperatures, and long before the water simmers/boils.
So, to add to BobMcGee's answer, 0 is bubbles forming on the bottom - not a simmer, 1 - small bubbles rising towards the surface is a simmer, 2 is a boil, 3 is a rolling boil.
Answer 3
Remember to use good judgement based on what you're actually cooking. Are the instructions to boil water for pasta, to add vinegar to water once it's boiling, or to heat something over the pot, for example? Even at 212 degrees Fahrenheit, most things you drop into boiling water will bring the temperature down dramatically. Sometimes this matters, and sometimes it doesn't. It depends on what you're making or trying to do with it!
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