In baking in cooking, the devil is in the details. A few extra seconds and whipped cream can turn to butter, little too much heat can cause chocolate to seize up (learn how to avoid mistakes like that here) and a single degree can take your simmering water up to a boil.
To help distinguish between these similar states, our Test Kitchen experts outline the differences, and teach you how to get that perfect simmer for a hearty stew or rolling boil for your next pasta dish. Let’s get started!
Knowing the difference
Let’s start with the basics. Boiling water is water that’s bubbling and evaporating (albeit very slowly) at 212ºF. A good, fast boil is great for making pastas and blanching vegetables.
Simmering on the other hand, is a little bit slower than that nice bubbling boil. A simmer is still very hot—195 to 211ºF—but the water in this state isn’t moving as quickly and isn’t producing as much steam from evaporation. Simmering water is great for soups, broths and stews. It helps cook the ingredients slower, helping them develop a great flavor, like in this hearty bone broth.
Now that you know the difference, you can start to heat things up.
Step 1: Fill ‘er up!
Whether you’re boiling or simmering, you’ve got to start with water. Our Test Kitchen recommends starting with cold tap water (hot water can carry sediments from your water heater which may alter the taste slightly). Fill up your pot, place it over high heat and cover. The lid will trap all the steam and heat inside, helping your water to come up to temperature faster.
Test Kitchen tip: Salt does not help your water boil faster. We’d call that one an old wive’s tale. However, if you’re boiling pasta, you should add salt.
Step 2: Bring it to a boil—even if you want a simmer
No matter what you’re shooting for, bring your water up to a full, rolling boil. This means that the water is bubbling like crazy (you should be able to hear it) and is producing a lot of steam.
If you’re looking for a simmer for your chicken soup, you should still bring the water up to boiling temperature on high heat—this will speed up the process. To get to a simmer, wait until your water boils and then reduce the heat to medium or low. You should still see a few tiny bubbles making their way to the surface, but it shouldn’t be as agitated as a complete boil.
Once your water is at the proper temperature, you’re ready to master all sorts of recipes. Why not start with a warming, hearty chili?
Spicy Touchdown Chili
For me, football, cool weather and chili just seem to go together. Whether I’m cheering on the local team on a Friday night or enjoying a Saturday afternoon of Oklahoma Sooner football with some friends, I enjoy serving this chili on game day. —Chris Neal, Quapaw, Oklahoma
Green Chile Chicken Chili
The prep work for this chili is easy thanks to several pantry staples. It’s loaded with shredded chicken and beans. The spicy heat can be tamed a bit by cool sour cream. —Fred Lockwood, Plano, Texas
Mushroom Salsa Chili
Green, sweet red and yellow peppers give this hearty chili a splash of color. I often fix it for my grandsons. Because they don't like spicy chili, I use mild salsa, but try it with a hotter variety if you prefer. —Richard Rundels, Waverly, Ohio
Black Bean 'n' Pumpkin Chili
My family is crazy about this slow cooker chili because it uses ingredients you don't usually find in chili. Believe it or not, I discovered that pumpkin is what makes the dish so special. Cook up a big batch and freeze some for later; it tastes even better reheated. —Deborah Vliet, Holland, Michigan
Great Northern Bean Chili
Seven ingredients makes this mild version of a Southwestern chicken chili. I like to add a dash of hot sauce and some sour cream on top, and serve it with tortilla chips. It's a great alternative to traditional chili. —mamesmom, Taste of Home Online Community
Texican Chili
This flavorful, meaty chili is my favorite...and it's so easy to prepare in the slow cooker. It's a great way to serve a crowd without last-minute preparation. I got the idea from my mother, who used her slow cooker often for soups and stews. —Stacy Law, Cornish, Utah
Chipotle-Black Bean Chili
This thick slow-cooked chili is special to me because it cooks itself while I’m at work. My family and friends love it. It’s really nice served with corn bread. —Patricia Nieh, Portola Valley, California
Jumpin' Espresso Bean Chili
Chili is a hearty dish I love experimenting with. This meatless version I created is low in fat, but high in flavor. Everyone tries to guess the secret ingredient…no one ever thinks it's coffee. —Jess Apfe, Berkeley, California
Hominy Beef Chili
Hunker down for the night and get cozy with this filling chili. Loaded with beef chuck roast and convenient staples, such as diced tomatoes, green chilies and seasonings, it’s a satisfying supper that would be yummy served with a side of warm tortillas or tortilla chips for dipping. —Steve Westphal, Wind Lake, Wisconsin
Aloha Chili
Pineapple and brown sugar give this out-of-the-ordinary chili a tropical taste. Everyone who samples it is pleasantly surprised, and they often request a second bowl. —Dyan Cornies, Vernon, British Columbia
Kielbasa Chili
This combines the flavors of a chili dog in one bowl! I make it when I need a hot, hearty meal in a hurry. It's also great for football games. —Audra L. Duvall, Canoga Park, California
Tasty Taco Soup
When I serve this soup at parties, everyone asks for the recipe. It makes a lot, so if I'm not feeding a crowd, I freeze the leftovers. —Jennifer Villarreal, Texas City, Texas
Chili Beef Corn Bread Casserole
This recipe is my potluck standby. And when I hear that someone needs a good home-cooked meal, I bring them this casserole. —Lorraine Espenhain, Corpus Christi, Texas
Autumn Pumpkin Chili
We have this chili often because everyone loves it, even the most finicky grandchildren. It’s also earned thumbs up with family and friends who’ve tried it in other states. It’s a definite “keeper” in my book! —Kimberly Nagy, Port Hadlock, Washington
Slow-Cooked Chunky Chili
Pork sausage, ground beef and plenty of beans make this chili a marvelous meal. I keep serving-size containers of it in my freezer at all times so I can quickly warm up bowls on busy days. —Margie Shaw, Greenbrier, Arkansas
Buffalo Chili con Carne
This classic recipe of the American frontier is so meaty you can almost eat it with a fork. The zippy combination of ingredients is a perfect complement to the buffalo. —Donna Smith, Fairport, New York
Award-Winning Chuck Wagon Chili
For an extra-spicy kick, double the chili powder, but make sure you've got a cool drink close by! —Eugene Jarzab Jr., Phoenix, Arizona
White Bean Chicken Chili
My sister shared this white bean chili recipe with me. I usually double it and add one extra can of beans, then serve with cheddar biscuits or warmed tortillas. The jalapeno adds just enough heat to notice but not too much for my children. —Kristine Bowles, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Chicken Chili Nachos
This is a “dash in the pan” dish that’s always a hit. The spicy nachos have plenty of chicken and two kinds of beans, so they make a filling snack. —Karen Horning, Rockford, Illinois
Double-Duty Hearty Chili Without Beans
When it’s time to build my zesty chili, I combine everything the night before. In the morning, I load the slow cooker and let it do the work. —Molly Butt, Granville, Ohio
Santa Fe Chipotle Chili
Sausage and ground beef make this spiced-up chili a meat lover's delight. I can freeze and reheat it later without sacrificing any of the flavor. —Angela Spengler, Tampa, Florida
Mexi-Mac Skillet
This is the yummiest, quickest recipe I have. There’s no need to pre-cook the macaroni. Everything comes together in one smart skillet. —Maurane Ramsey, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Marty's Bean Burger Chili
My husband and I met while working the dinner shift at a homeless shelter, where they served my chili. I’ve revised the chili using veggie bean burgers. —Marty Nickerson, Ellington, Connecticut
Chipotle Beef Chili
I love spicy food, so I think this chili really hits the spot. If you are sensitive to chili peppers, start out with one or two chipotles and go up from there. —Steven Schend, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Bean & Beef Slow-Cooked Chili
This chili may be loaded, but we love to build it up even more with toppings like pico de gallo, red onion, cilantro and cheese. —Mallory Lynch, Madison, Wisconsin
Sandy's Slow-Cooked Chili
This savory chili is hearty and satisfying, and it will warm your guests up, too. —Sandy McKenzie, Braham, Minnesota
Slow Cooker Turkey Chili
I love this recipe. Surprise ingredients like coffee and wine give it a rich, deep flavor that we balance by topping if off with avocado and green onion. Make a big batch and freeze any leftovers! —Terri Crandall, Gardnerville, Nevada
Chili Beef Pasta
Right after I got married, an aunt gave me her recipe for skillet spaghetti and told me it was ideal for a quick weeknight meal. Over the years I’ve tinkered with the ingredients and played with the seasonings to make it a healthier dish that my family truly loves. —Kristen Killian, Depew, New York
Hearty Pumpkin Chili with Polenta
Feel free to make this healthy chili a day ahead. It reheats nicely, and the polenta stays good for a few days in an airtight container in the fridge.—Wendy Rusch, Trego, Wisconsin
Mexican White Chili
White chili may be a little different from what you're used to, but it's sure to warm you up on a chilly night. Cilantro and cumin give this chili an authentic Mexican flavor. —Shari Meissner, Chester, Montana
Cincinnati-Style Chili
My husband had this type of chili when visiting a friend in Ohio and was super- thrilled when I made it at home. Our favorite way to serve it is five-way with spaghetti, cheese, onions and beans. —Tari Ambler, Shorewood, Illinois
Biscuit Bowl Chili
Kids love to help make these biscuit bowls almost as much as they love to eat them. For another weeknight meal, fill them with taco-flavored meat and all the fixin's or even your favorite sloppy joe mix. —Cassy Ray, Parkersburg, West Virginia
Beer Brat Chili
My husband and I love this chili because it smells so good as it simmers in the slow cooker all day. I can't think of a better way to use up leftover brats. He can't think of a better way to eat them! —Katrina Krumm, Apple Valley, Minnesota
Chili Mac & Cheese
This Mexican/Southwestern casserole of comfort food is high on taste and low on the scale of difficulty—a delicious combination. —Mary Aguilar, Shelby, Ohio
Chili Hash
A little micro time, a dash in the pan and you'll have a satisfying meal for those where-did-the-time-go? kind of nights. Now you can put up your feet and relax! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Contest-Winning Pepperoni Pizza Chili
Pizza and chili together—what could be better? Fill folks up at halftime when you set out bowls of this chili. —Jennifer Gelormino, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
