If you need to speed up the rte at which your potatoes are cooking in boiling water, would it be better to turn up the heat or use a pressure cooker? why?
Use a pressure cooker. Why? Because at increased pressure, the boiling temperature is increased as well as the steam will help cook it. Turning up the heat on a stove top will get the water to the boiling point faster but it won't get the water any hotter than 100 C.
A pressure cooker raises the water (and steam) temperature, and makes things cook must faster. Turning up the heat on a pan of water exposed to the atmosphere does not increase the temperature of the water, but does increase the heat transfer rate somewhat.
If you need to speed up the rate at which your potatoes are cooking in boiling water, turning up the heat or using a pressure cooker can both help achieve that goal. However, let me explain the differences between the two methods.
Turning up the heat will increase the temperature of the water, which will in turn speed up the transfer of heat from the water to the potatoes. This can help cook the potatoes faster, but it also carries some potential risks. It might cause the exterior of the potatoes to cook too quickly, while the interior remains uncooked. Additionally, it can increase the likelihood of the potatoes breaking apart due to rapid boiling.
On the other hand, using a pressure cooker can significantly reduce the cooking time of potatoes. This is because a pressure cooker creates a sealed environment where the pressure inside increases, raising the boiling point of the water. The higher boiling point leads to faster cooking of the potatoes. Additionally, the increased pressure helps the potatoes cook more evenly and retain their shape during the process.
In summary, while turning up the heat can potentially speed up the cooking process, using a pressure cooker is generally considered more effective for cooking potatoes quickly and evenly. However, it's important to follow the manufacturer's instructions and exercise caution when using a pressure cooker to ensure safety.