# Boiling Water! **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 15, 2002, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boiling-water/132386 "2002-10-15T20:08:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![I8ASkunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e79b87/32.png) [@I8ASkunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I8ASkunk)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2002, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boiling-water/132386/1 "2002-10-15T20:08:56Z")
Which boils faster, water that is initially cold, or water that is initially hot? How much does watching a pot really effect boiling times? If noone has a definitive answer, I’ll be forced to perform and experiment to find out once and for all. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2002, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boiling-water/132386/2 "2002-10-15T20:31:51Z")
Before you go to all that trouble, I suggest you search the SD and SDMB for previous times this question has been asked. Welcome aBoard. ---
**Author:** ![mmmiiikkkeee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/edb3f5/32.png) [@mmmiiikkkeee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mmmiiikkkeee)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2002, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boiling-water/132386/3 "2002-10-15T20:59:55Z")
Quicker yet is this simple answer: Hot water boils faster, watching it doesn’t do squat. Check the archives for an expanded explanation. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2002, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boiling-water/132386/4 "2002-10-16T01:55:43Z")
And while you’re at it, you can also learn which freeze’s faster. Hot water or cold. Welcome to here. Peace, mangeorge