When boiling corn on the cob or potatoes, do you put them into cold water or boiling water?

Question

Or does it matter?

Answer 1

Corn on the Cob in boiling water; potatoes in cold water

Answer 2

Corn Boiling

Answer 3

For corn, use boiling water. Once it boils, put corn in the pot, cover and turn off the heat. Let corn soak for 10-15 minutes and it is cooked. I usually add a tsp of sugar. Just makes the corn sweeter-personal preference. For potatoes, always start with cold water. This will allow the potatoes to cook more evenly. Once cooked, drain potatoes and put right back in the hot pot. This will dry out the potatoes so you won't have mushy potatoes. (especially for mashed potatoes or potato salad)

Answer 4

Bring your water to a ROLLING BOIL. Drop the corn into the water. Turn the heat off. Allow the corn to sit in the water for 2-3 minutes. Especially if the corn is fresh! Fresh corn will only take a minimum amount of time. If you cook it longer, it'll be tough.
Enjoy
If you don't know how old the corn is, add about 1 TBS of sugar to the water, and if the corn is older it will sweeten the corn.

Answer 5

Bring the water to boiling first then drop the ears or taters in and bring BACK to a boil. After getting the rolling boil again reduce heat to simmer and cover. No more than 6-8 minutes for sweet corn or it'll be tough! The smaller the kernels the shorter the cook time.

Answer 6

Listen to javamama above.
Put the corn into boiling water for NO MORE than 5 minutes, or it will be tough or mushy. And cook fresh corn as soon as humanly possible! (good corn doesn't need sugar added, and NEVER salt the water, or it will toughen it).
Start the potatoes in cold, and boil until the done-ness you need (softest for mashed, firmest for potato salad).

Answer 7

We always start with cold water, safety wise it is better less chance of getting splashed and the results are the same. For the best corn, but not boiling, soak in sugar water with the husks on for about an hour, then put on grill, sweeter and less loss of taste.

Answer 8

I always put the corn or potatoes in first than cover with water. If you boil the water first you may not have enough room for the food and cause a spill over........

Answer 9

Just my personal advise for what it is worth. I place my corn and/or potatoes in cold water and bring to boil for 20 minutes or until done. Works for me!

Answer 10

You should always start with cold water. I am assuming you start with hot water from the tap. If so, that water as it gets hot and runs through the pipes pulls minerals (not necessarily the good for you kind) and impurities from the pipes and into the water, thus into your food. Plus, to get the final product to be cooked properly, you should start with cold water.