My girlfriend doesn't understand/believe that foods will cook in the steam from a minimum amount of water (with a lid on). She believes the energy consumption difference between boiling 120cc of water versus 480cc+ is negligible and that I should get a life

By food, I hope you mean veggies, rice. Yes of course they cook in steam and retain more nutrients while doing so. In fact I keep the water from steaming to make soup. I don't lose anything.

Prove it it to her by showing her some Google sites!

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Originally Posted by fewd

My girlfriend doesn't understand/believe that foods will cook in the steam from a minimum amount of water (with a lid on). She believes the energy consumption difference between boiling 120cc of water versus 480cc+ is negligible

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You're both right. It takes more time and energy to boil 2 cups of water versus half a cup. 159BTU vs 39BTU. Your stove output, when on high, is between 6,000 - 7000 BTU. Considering the output, and the fact that you'll need constant heat to steam, the output from the stove will essentially be the same for both. So you're both right, it does take less energy to boil 120cc of water in the strictest sense, but you'll use the same amount of energy from the stove regardless of the amount of water in the pot.

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Originally Posted by fewd

and that I should get a life

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Pick your battles. Is this something you REALLY want to fight over? Whether you need to get a life is left as an exercise for the reader.

I use the absolute least amount of water that will cook the food without burning it. Partly for energy saving (time on the burner) and partly to save vitamins.

BUT

There's an old saying: You want something done right, do it yourself. So even though I'm more like you, I'm on her side. I mean, DUH, offer to cook anything that is boiled.

Some things are worth arguing about. Others are not. My wife thinks "hot water" to drink will cure almost anything.

So her idea of "get a life" may be right, forget the argument and let it go.

The amount of water always matters a lot in how well the food is prepared. Be it veggies or non-veg recipes, the amount of water in it defines the consistency, and so, it would reflect on your energy consumption as well. Like, if you wanted a thicker gravy you might have to add more liquids and cook it for long, so as to make the watery part get absorbed well.