r/AskRedditFood • u/man_in_the_balks • 1h ago
[Gas stove w/small burners(4-5''/10-12.5cm)] Would it be more energy efficient to bring a big pot of beans to a boil on med or high flame, then simmer on low til soft for like 2.5-3 hours total, or to just start on low til they're soft?
It's a big pasta pot, I'm doing 2lbs (0.9 kilogram) of dry pinto beans, filling water to around the handle rivets (almost 2x past the 4 liter line but not quite), and I'm wondering since time isn't really a factor, would it be better to just start them on simmering temp and go from there?
Normally since they're dry they take me around 2-3 hours to get soft, (first hour bringing up to heat on a higher flame then lowered). But I'm wondering if I just do it low the whole way (albeit at a longer duration), will it use less or more energy to cook?