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How to Heat With Salt Water

Food items which need to be heated in water can often benefit by using salt water or fresh water with added salt. The simple reason is that salt water gains heat slower, thus increasing the boiling point, and retains heat better than fresh water. The amount of heat retained depends on the ratio of water to salt. A mixture of 8 oz. of water to 8 oz. of salt brought to a boil will remain hotter for a longer period of time, even at a difference of almost 46 degrees Fahrenheit after 15 minutes.

Things You'll Need

Water and salt or salt water
Pot
Stove or other heat source

Instructions

- 1
  Add salt to the water or begin with salt water. It should be noted that salt water should not to be used as a cooking element for items that are directly place in the water, such as pasta, and adding too much salt to fresh water may impart a salty taste to anything heated in the water.
- 2
  Bring the water to a boil. Depending on the amount of salt in the water, the temperature needed to reach the boiling point may be higher. If used for cooking anything heated in the water once it is brought to a boil will heat faster than with fresh water. Remove the pot or turn off the stove, as needed.
- 3
  Place the item to be heated into the water. In cooking with salt water, or highly salted fresh water, it's best to use a closed heating container, like a plastic package, allowing the food inside to become hot, but not changing the taste due to the salt content.
- 4
  Wait until the item is heated. Since the boiling point is increased, depending on the ratio of salt to water, the item heats faster with salt water than fresh.

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