Green Tea Forum

wehayley · Posted: Dec 20, 2006 5:15 am Post subject: Water Temp...

I just purchased a scale and a beverage thermometer. I brought some water to a boil (fish-eye sized bubbles). By the way, I use an open stainless steel sauce pan. I sat the water on the side for perhaps a minute, stuck in the thermometer and it rose to about 170 degress (F).

Since water boils at about 212 F, I'm wondering, is my thermometer cheap or does water really cool that fast? I bought it at a well-known kitchenware store. Let me add that this was after I had poured the water to my teapot and then to my cup (I know that should cool it by roughly 20 degrees). I wanted it in the cup because the maker recommends water of at least two inches deep.

Chip · Posted: Dec 20, 2006 5:33 am Post subject:

Water is cooled rapidly this way...that is why we use this method to cool our water before brewing green tea. Water boils at 212* at sea level...lower temps as you gain altitude.

I think in order for you to verify the calibration of your thermometer, you would have to check it in the pot of boiling water, not allowing the themometer probe to touch the sides of the pot...just remember steam can be hotter than boiling water.

I understand that you can also accomplish this calibaration safely in ice or ice water.

T · Black Belt Joined: 11 Mar 2006 Posts: 108

I use a digital meat thermometer. It was about 7$ at Walmart. It works great.