A rolling boil is not just a few polite bubbles that look like they’re having a quiet conversation. That’s a simmer. A simmer is for making soup, not for murdering microscopic hitchhikers.
A rolling boil is when the water is erupting like a tiny, hot volcano. Bubbles are everywhere, steam is rising, and if you look away for ten seconds, it might boil over and ruin your stove. That’s the one.
Basically, if your pot looks like it’s in a bad mood and trying to escape, you’ve got a rolling boil. Start your one-minute timer now.
But what if I’m a forgetful person? (Asking for a friend)
I once boiled a pot down to a scorched, sad little ring of crust because I forgot I was sterilizing water for my camping trip. That’s not how you do it.
Sterilizing Plastic Bottles: A Simple Boiling Water Method Guide | ShunPoly
Set a timer on your phone. The microwave timer works too. Or do what my grandmother did: hum the entire chorus of “Bohemian Rhapsody.” That’s about one minute. (I’m not joking. She was very precise.)
Over-boiling doesn’t hurt (except for your electric bill), but under-boiling is a gamble. A one-minute timer is your best friend. Don’t trust your gut; trust the beep.
