What Type Of Pot Is Best For Boiling Water?

What type of pot is the best for boiling water? You remember reading a story somewhere about the dangers of chemicals releasing with heat. But are the pots you own the right type for this simple kitchen task? We have researched this to find out the answer, as well as any potential hazards that you need to know about.

There are several types of pots that you can boil water in:

• Stainless steel
• Aluminum
• Glass
• Non-Stick

Let's look a bit more closely at each type below.

The Types Of Pots For Boiling Water

Boiling water is the most basic of kitchen tasks but also one of the most necessary. Whether you're making a cup of tea or cooking up pasta, knowing how to boil water should be a given. But as with any kitchen task, there are variables. In this case, the variables are the types of pots you might choose to use.

To boil water, it must reach 212 degrees F or 100 degrees C, so the first check is always to see if your pot can handle those temperatures.

Stainless Steel Pots

Stainless steel pots are made an iron alloy that had other added elements, the most important being chromium. This hard, corrosion-resistant material is what makes stainless steel pots such a gold standard for cooking, and in this case, boiling water.

Whether you're boiling up a big stockpot of water for lobster or a small pot for boiled eggs, you can't go wrong with stainless steel pots.

Is It Safe To Boil Water In A Stainless Steel Pot?

It is safe to boil water in a stainless steel pot. Of all the cookware out there, stainless steel is one of the safest. It has both a higher melting point and higher thermal mass, so it safely heats to the 212 degrees F needed to boil water.

T-Fal stainless steel cookware is heavy duty and a leader in the industry. You can buy these individually or as full sets, and each one comes with a glass lid. They are oven safe up to 500 degrees and dishwasher safe, too.

Click here for this on Amazon.

Aluminum Pots For Boiling Water

There are plenty of aluminum pots on the market for use, but there's also plenty of controversy about them. Some people claim that aluminum pots might leach oxides into the water, but others claim they give the best heat of all the metal pots out there.

Big aluminum stock pots like this are a favorite for summertime crab boils or cooking up a mess of corn.

Click here to see this pot on Amazon.

Is Boiling Water In An Aluminum Pot Safe?

Generally speaking, most people believe it's best to stay away from aluminum cookware for high heat. Though aluminum was very popularly years ago, most aluminum pots now come in the form of non-stick coated pans. Some chefs say that when you cook acidic foods in aluminum pots, it will release aluminum oxides which are toxic to humans. Others say that there is a link between Alzheimer's and aluminum pots, though this is also considered a hoax.

But what is true is that aluminum pots will conduct heat better than stainless; however, they also build-up oxides. If given a choice, stick to stainless steel.

Glass Pots For Boiling Water

Though glass is not the best choice for stovetop boiling, it does great in the microwave. Be sure to use treated tempered glass that has no internal air bubbles. Internal air bubbles in traditional blown glass can blow up if heated or cooled too quickly. Pyrex is an excellent choice for heating water in the microwave.

Pyrex makes a wide assortment of tempered glass pots like this one that even has a lid.

Click here for this on Amazon.

Is It Better To Boil Water In Glass Or Stainless Steel?

This depends on what you are boiling water for. If you are using your stovetop, then use stainless steel. Glass is better for the microwave, and glass tea kettles offer more even heating and no transferred taste from the pot's material.

This glass kettle will boil water for you in a jiffy, but you cannot cook in it.

Click here for this on Amazon.

Non-Stick Pots For Boiling Water

If your Teflon non-stick pot is in excellent condition with no deterioration of the coating, it is perfectly fine to heat to the temperature of boiling water. However, if you have scratches or the non-stick coating has been damaged, you'll want to replace that pot as the coating when marred, can release chemicals into your water or foods.

Cuisinart makes both stainless steel pots and non-stick pots like this lidded stockpot above.

Click here for this one on Amazon.

Does Boiling A Pot Dry Ruin It?

This depends on the pot. Stainless steel pots will be fine if the water boils dry. They may discolor, but you can clean it with a good scrub cleaner like Bon Ami. Boiling dry a non-stick pan dry is riskier as you might damage the coating and then risk toxicity in future cooking. Glass pots you run the risk of the glass getting too hot and breaking.

What Is The Healthiest Way To Boil Water?

The main thing to do when boiling water for purity is to make sure it reaches a rolling boil. Beyond that, there are pros and cons to each method. With microwaves, some people may worry about any radiation from the microwave's heating element though the amount of this is negligible. Tea kettles sometimes have plastics that could leach into your water.

Stainless steel pots are probably the safest, though they likely will consume the most energy.

Cuisinart stainless steel pots are a reliable, well-known brand. This full set includes great pots for boiling water along with fry pans and lids.

Click here for this set on Amazon.

Do You Need To Wash A Pot After Boiling Water?

If you boiled distilled or bottled water, as long as you dry your pot after boiling water, it will be fine and need no washing. If you don't wipe the pan, you risk bacteria growth.

However, if you boiled well water or city water, you may have left mineral deposits on your pot. If that's the case, then it's a good idea to wash and dry before storing it.

We hope you've enjoyed this post with tricks and tips here at KitchenSeer.com. For more helpful posts about how-to's in the kitchen, please check out these below:

Can I Put A Dutch Oven In The Oven?

Can You Cook A Steak In A Nonstick Pan?