Rethink your kitchen habits: Timing salt could save you money
Do you salt the water for potatoes before cooking them? Not everyone knows that it's not the best idea. Salting water increases its boiling point, which could lead to higher energy bills and the risk of damaging your pot. So, when is the optimal time to add salt?
A seemingly simple question about when to salt water for pasta or potatoes surprisingly sparks a lot of controversy. We all have habits inherited from home, but few realize that adding this seasoning at the wrong time can even affect our finances.
Remember this when cooking potatoes
Many people add salt to the water for potatoes right after pouring it into the pot, often before even turning on the hob. That’s a mistake.
It turns out that salt added to cold water dissolves more slowly and reacts with the metal surface of the pot. As a result, it can create a residue that is difficult to remove, and in the long run, it can even lead to corrosion, especially if you use steel pots. Although this process is slow, regularly salting cold water significantly accelerates the wear of utensils.
When we salt the water too early, not only do our pots suffer, but so does our wallet. Another negative outcome of this mistake is the extended cooking time. Salted water has a higher boiling point, which means it requires more energy and time to boil. For those who care about the household budget and energy usage, this is a crucial issue—as longer cooking times directly translate into higher electricity or gas bills.
When should you salt the water for potatoes?
The answer is simple—water should only be salted when it starts to boil. At this point, the seasoning dissolves immediately, minimising the risk of residue forming on the pot. This rule applies when cooking pasta, rice, as well as potatoes.
