Is cold tap water more sanitary to use when boiling food, than hot tap water? If the answer is yes, then why?

Question

I was always under the impression that it's best to use cold tap water when bringing a pot to a boil. Is this true? and why?

Answer 1

It doesn't make any difference in terms of sanitation, because it is the boiling itself that sanitizes, not the start temperature. You may be confused with brewing tea or coffee. Both of these should be started with cold water, because you get a better flavor.

Answer 2

When using water from the tap for consumption you should always use cold water. Hot or warm water leaches compounds and metals from pipes more easily and faster than cold water. Most houses have pipes that are joined with a soldering compound that contains lead and other metals. Water heated in your water heater and carried through pipes will absorb metals that over time and with repeated exposure will accumulate in your body. Also the compounds carried by the water can change the flavor of your food. Cold water will also carry harmful compounds but not as easily warm water. It's best to start with cold water and allow the tap to run a little before you fill your pot. It's a good idea to allow the water to run for a few seconds to allow fresh water to fill you tap.

Answer 3

OK-there is no "sanitary" reason to use one over the other-all these people talking about germs apparently forgot that at cooking temperatures all microbes are killed.
As for the hot water leaching contaminants from pipes, I have heard this. You can get a water testing kit at the hardware store if you have concerns. If your house is fairly new it's probably not a big worry.
That said-warm or hot water has less dissolved oxygen and thus cold water will enhance the flavor of your dish.

Answer 4

Technically yes, but it rarely makes a difference.

All water contains some bacteria. If you heat it (but not boil it) much of that bacteria will die, leaving behind the bacteria which is resistant against heat. That bacteria then has time to breed, so when you boil the water there is a slim chance some will survive.
Its evolution in action.

But boiling is usually enough to kill all bacteria.

Water which is or has been hot is de-aerated, so air dissolved in the water is removed. The air-oxygen in a drink or on a food strengthens its taste- so cold water is better for that reason too.

Answer 5

The reason why you are always told to use cold water is because it will begin to boil faster. The method through which energy is conveyed through water is called convection. It has to do with the movement of currents of heat from hot regions to cold regions. Cold water in contact with a hot pot will create very strong currents causing the temeprature to spread through the liquid very quickly, whereas a warm liquid on a hot pot will create less powerful currents and it will take longer for the pots heat to be transferred through the entire material. It has nothing to do with sanitation whatsoever.

Answer 6

Use cold water, never use hot water out of your tap for drinking or for cooking.

No, don't use hot water from the tap for food or beverage preparation. Your hot water systems (tanks, boilers) contain metallic parts that corrode over time and contaminate the hot water. Instead, use cold water and heat it up for warm beverages or food preparation.

Source(s):
http://www.cmwc.net/faq.aspx#14

Answer 7

the answers suggested are in part true, the real answer is why one will not use hot water, at least, during the first minute of turning it on. it is because of the belief that the hot water leeches the chemicals of the pipes into the water that you use. in any case it is a good idea to let the water to run a minute or two
before putting into the pot or to drink.

Answer 8

cold water is more sanitary because germs thrive in around the temp hot tap water gets. any food has to be under 40 degrees farenheit or over 140 degrees farenheit to kill germs.

Answer 9

if you look at water as an ingredient, then you should think of freshness.. cold tap water is fresher than hot tap water, b/c basically hot water has been sitting in the hot water tank, so its more stale than cold water.

also cooking with cold water is better b/c your starting with the same temputure,, uncooked food is cold.. if you start with hot water then the food will cook unevenly

Answer 10

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Water is Water, boiling water is hot.
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