Energy Write is a Resource for Residential Do-It-Your-Self Energy Reduction.
Energy Reduction How to Article ...
Energy Saver: Cooking Techniques
(continued ...) of your body sweating. The liquid sweat evaporates and provides your body with cooling.
Add heat and the water temperature increases heading toward 212 F (100C). While we're waiting for this to happen, wave your hand cautiously above the pot. Notice the large amount of heat rolling around the outside edges of the pot and flowing freely upward? On the pot itself, as the water's temperature is rising, so is the pot's temperature. Don't try this and most people know that a pot set on the stove to boil water will burn fingers that touch it. Next, from the top of the pot, at the moment you start this process, the water is evaporating. Soon you see steam billowing out the top as we approach the boiling point.
From the beginning, you are losing energy by way of water vapor loss. As minutes tick by that water vapor is getting hotter and hotter. Read as: more and more energy content is contained in each billow of steam. The quick fix is to put a lid on it. Any water that evaporated is then trapped under the lid, condenses and drops back into the liquid water. This saves energy by getting you to the boiling point faster. And dinner is ready sooner, too. Continue this thought after you add the pasta. Cover the pot again and you will find that the energy setting on the burner or element can be reduced dramatically versus an open pot. You may find that the lowest energy setting will still maintain a good simmer.
"But, but … my favorite pot that grandma gave me doesn't have a lid", you stammer. That's okay. A quick and easy lid substitute that can be used for any pot, pan or skillet is a sheet of aluminum foil. It's not as good ...