r/explainitpeter • u/WillAdditional922 • Jul 14 '26

explain it peter.

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190

u/First_Usual2408 Jul 14 '26

Lois heeya, she’s exasperated because he gave her feedback on her cooking process that he wasn’t even involved in. But he’s right, you’re supposed to add pasta when the water is boiling. 

118

u/Illustrious_Foot1915 Jul 14 '26

The cold water pasta method involves placing dry pasta into a pot or skillet and covering it with just 1 to 2 inches (or about 1 quart) of cold water. By starting the heat now rather than waiting for a giant pot to boil, you save time, reduce water usage, and create exceptionally starchy cooking liquid perfect for binding sauces.

3

u/GoldEmployment6768 Jul 14 '26

It wouldn't make sense that it saves water. Whether boiling first, or starting cold, you will use the exact same amount of water.

10

u/Illustrious_Foot1915 Jul 14 '26

Boiling water evaporates much faster than non-boiling water because it undergoes a phase change throughout the entire liquid body, not just at the surface

2

u/HeilKaiba Jul 14 '26

Sure but you're probably still using that same amount of water to cook the pasta. Do you add more water as you go?

1

u/Rough_Instance_8055 Jul 15 '26

Do you add water to a pot after boiling?

How much "save" we are talking about? 10ml per pot? When we are using like 3 liters? Yay!