Boiling water w/ pasta.. Any way to avoid bubbling over pot?

Question

Is there any way to avoid the water bubbling over, other than constantly watching it and blowing on it? Is it because the heat is on too high?

Answer 1

How To Avoid Boil Over When Cooking Pasta

There are a couple of reasons why water in a pot will boil over and they have to do with two things: heat and proteins. When you put pasta in boiling water and let it continue boiling over high heat, you may notice that after a while the water boils up and over the edges of the pot in a big foamy mess. This is because the pasta has created a "foaming boil" instead of retaining a "rolling boil."

When plain water boils by itself, the bubbles rise from the surface area of the boiling pot and then break at the surface of the water. This is because water doesn't have enough surface tension to hold back the explosive force of the bubble coming to the surface. However, when you add pasta to the water, organic material in the form of proteins and starches come off the pasta and mix with the water. The starches increase the surface tension of the water, making the surface bubbles stretchy and pliable. This stretching increases the amount of time it takes for a bubble to burst.

The resulting cascading effect causes a "foaming boil" whereby bubbles stack under more bubbles that take too long to burst. Eventually, the stack of foam rises above the lip of the pot and over the edge.

Boil over.

How To Avoid Boil Over
One camp of thought suggests that you put a little bit of oil or margarine into the water. This is proven to prevent boil over. The oil molecules interfere with the surface tension of the starchy bubbles and they break faster. The only problem with this method is that the oil will coat the pasta and whichever sauce you use will not stick. This is considered bad form in most cooking circles, so be careful you don't do it in front of someone who takes is so seriously.

The other method to avoid boil over is just to pay attention. OK, that's a little bit simplistic. This method involves a two-pronged attack. When you add your pasta and it begins to come back to boiling, reduce the heat just a little bit. This reduces the rate at which the bubbles come to the surface, giving them more time to burst before more come up. Also, when the pasta returns to boil, stir it for a minute. This will keep the noodles from sticking together as well as give you time to monitor the boiling.

You can use a little oil to avoid boil over, but only do that if you aren't that concerned about sauce stickage. But my suggestion is just to stir and reduce heat.

Answer 2

Pasta can be cooked without any mess. There is also a gadget out there where you pour boiling water into a "tube" or canister where your pasta awaits. You close it up and in like ten, perfect pasta.
I usually try to bring my water rapidly to a boil and then back the temp off a little as soon as it begins boiling. Once I've got a soft rolling boil i work the pasta in about 25% at a time, then time it for my preferred doneness depending on what type of pasta. If it foams a little at first, just stir it a little. Seems like the spoon settles it down to give you a second to turn the heat down just a little more. Guess it kinda takes practice. You ever check to see if your spaghetti is done by seeing how long it will stick to the ceiling??

Answer 3

Not trying to be a smartalic, but, use a bigger pot. It boils over because the starch that is washing out of the pasta is so concentrated. More water, means for room for the starch to spread out.

I've tried all the old trick, lower heat, oil around the edge of the pot, putting a long spoon in the pot.... none work too good. Try a bigger pot, promise it will do the trick.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Watch pot as it returns to boil after you have put in the pasta. Adjust the flame or heat accordingly. If you are experiencing a bubbling over of foam try adding about 1 tablespoon or margarine which for some reason reduces or prevents the foamy stuff from happening.

Answer 5

This is going to sound stupid, but use a bigger pot! :) There really isn't any other way because the water needs room to boil and the past needs room to move and be surrounded by the water. Or try cooking less pasta (thus needing less water)

Answer 6

Lets start with the obvious, to stand and watch, a bigger pot, not as much water. You can also put a capfull of olive oil along with half a teaspoon of salt, and that will help reduce the bubbling over, although it does not completely stop it.

Answer 7

The easiest way would be to use a bigger pot. I use a very deep pot for boiling spaghetti and such. It would have to foam up 12" to get over the top of this sucker!

Answer 8

Turn the heat down from under the pot.

Answer 9

I don't know why this works, but it does. Lay a wooden spoon across the pot. It won't foam up and boil over beyond the spoon.

Answer 10

Either use a bigger pot, use less water, or, use less pasta, or moderate the heat lower.