One should always cover a pan while heating
Tradition says: "One should always cover a pan while heating".
In other words, if you heat water (or something else), it comes to the boil faster with a lid on the pan than without.
True or false? Let's try the experiment...
In other words, if you heat water (or something else), it comes to the boil faster with a lid on the pan than without.
True or false? Let's try the experiment...
Last modified on: July 25th 2017
Keywords for this recipe:How long does it take?
Time required for this recipe:
| Preparation | Resting | Cooking | Start to finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 min. | 1 hour | 18 min. | 1 hour 20 min. |
At what time:
- When will I finish if I start the recipe at ... ?
When should I start for the recipe to be ready at ... ? - Work this out...
Step by step recipe
Stage 1 - 2 min.
1 litre of water is measured and poured into a pan without the lid and put on the hob with a thermometer in it.
Starting temperature of water (and room): 70°F (19°C).
Starting temperature of water (and room): 70°F (19°C).
Stage 2 - 9 min.
The heat is switched on. The water reaches 210°F (100°C) in 9 minutes and 30 seconds.
Stage 3 - 1 hour
The hob is left to cool for about one hour, to allow it to reach room temperature again.
Another 1 litre water is put in the same pan covered with the same thermometer in it, on the same hob.
Starting temperature of water (and room): 70°F (19°C).
Another 1 litre water is put in the same pan covered with the same thermometer in it, on the same hob.
Starting temperature of water (and room): 70°F (19°C).
Stage 4 - 9 min.
The heat is switched on. The water reaches 210°F (100°C) in 9 minutes and 27 seconds.
Stage 5
The result is shown more clearly in the diagram: the temperature of the uncovered pan in red and that of the covered pan in green.
Conclusion
False: The time difference is too small to be significant. It really doesn't matter whether the pan is covered or not.
Source
Homemade.
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Your 1 comments or questions on this recipe
- This is going to be a most interesting addition to your site, jh. Now I wonder if hot water or cold water makes any difference in the boiling time?Posted by Louise october 24th 2009 at 17:48 (n° 1)
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