Help me simmer!

[yorkshirepud]

I've just started making a beef curry and I need to simmer it for 1 hour. Simmering is always something of a debate for me as I'm not sure if I have it too high or too low. I just put it down to '2' on the dial (my stove goes from 0 - 10). Would you say this is about right?

[funnybone]

Well, it depends on the cook top and the burner you use. My last house, I had a Jenn-Air downdraft cooktop and on one of the burners, there was no such thing as a simmer. Everthing boiled - regardless of the setting. The lowest setting wasn't a rolling boil, but it wasn't a simmer either.

[funnybone]

From www.foodtv.com

simmer

Definition: To cook food gently in liquid at a temperature (about 185 degrees F) low enough that tiny bubbles just begin to break the surface.

[yorkshirepud]

Funnybone, I think I have the same problem. I just turned it down to 'min' (lowest setting) as it seemed to be boiling to me. Oh well, what can you do? I imagine the fact that its covered increases the 'boil' too.

[yorkshirepud]

Originally posted by funnybone
From www.foodtv.com

simmer

Definition: To cook food gently in liquid at a temperature (about 185 degrees F) low enough that tiny bubbles just begin to break the surface.

Well my stove definately has simmer issues then! :rolleyes: Roll on my new kitchen next year, and STOVE!!! :D

[Goldie]

Yep, on my old electric stove, I always had to use one of those heat diffuser thingies to get a simmer. Otherwise, it just boiled.

[funnybone]

Originally posted by yorkshirepud
Funnybone, I think I have the same problem. I just turned it down to 'min' (lowest setting) as it seemed to be boiling to me. Oh well, what can you do? I imagine the fact that its covered increases the 'boil' too.

Try a smaller burner - it may be better.

I remember my mom had this wire that she used many years ago that she placed underneath some pots. It was a star shaped thing and I guess it helped the pot be further away from the burner. She had an electric stove. I can't say I've seen something like that since.

[funnybone]

Originally posted by Goldie
Yep, on my old electric stove, I always had to use one of those heat diffuser thingies to get a simmer. Otherwise, it just boiled.

Maybe that's what my mom had.

[yorkshirepud]

Funnybone, good idea about the smaller burned. I'll go do that now.

Goldie, what's a heat diffuser? Obviously I don't have one so I can't do your suggestion.

[yorkshirepud]

Thanks Funnybone. I now got simmering action on my stove. Why didn't I think to just put it on a smaller burner!? :rolleyes:

[funnybone]

Originally posted by yorkshirepud
Thanks Funnybone. I now got simmering action on my stove. Why didn't I think to just put it on a smaller burner!? :rolleyes:

Glad it worked! Mnay years ago I had a stove that had a simmer burner - it was a small one in the back, so I got used to using the smaller ones for simmering.

Hey, if we all knew everything, we wouldn't be on these boards, now would we?!:D

[yorkshirepud]

Originally posted by funnybone



Hey, if we all knew everything, we wouldn't be on these boards, now would we?!:D

Oh, but I do know EVERYTHING. I just play dumb, honest! :D :p ;)

[Goldie]

A heat diffuser is like what funnybone described. Mine is a little different - it's 2 sheets of perforated metal, sealed together so there is an air space (about 1/4") between them. It's round and has a handle, so you just stick it on the burner under your pot and it keeps the pan further away from the heat.

[yorkshirepud]

Thanks Goldie.

[swquilts]

Does anyone have a hard time simmering on a gas stove? Even though I have a simmer setting on my Viking, it still "simmers" a little hard in my opinion. Would one of those diffusers work for me too? :(

[Ohioan]

I use a heat diffuser with my gas stove all the time. Works great.

Cheers, Phoebe

[valchemist]

I never really gave this a thought. I just turn the heat on low and let it bubble away. It isn't a rolling boil or anything. It is just slow bubbling. Now that I have read this thread, I am pretty sure it is higher than a simmer.

But I am not worried since all my dishes seem to come out just fine.

[Shoregirl66]

Molto Mario describes simmering as the point at which the liquid just begins to 'smile back at you'.
The visualization actually works for me !