Find the exact boiling point of liquids based on ambient pressure or altitude. Understand how atmospheric changes affect vaporization.
Higher pressure pushes down on the liquid, making it harder for gas bubbles to form.
Enter pressure or altitude to find the new boiling point.
Boiling occurs when a liquid's vapor pressure equals the surrounding ambient pressure. If ambient pressure is high, the liquid must be heated to a higher temperature to produce enough vapor pressure to push back and form bubbles.
At high altitudes (like Denver), atmospheric pressure is lower. Water boils at a lower temperature (around 95°C instead of 100°C). Since boiling water can't get any hotter than its boiling point, your food cooks at a lower temperature, which takes more time.
A pressure cooker seals in steam, raising the internal pressure to about 2 atm. This raises water's boiling point to around 120°C (250°F). The much hotter liquid cooks food incredibly fast without boiling away.