Sometimes you need to determine the temperature of the water and don't have a waterproof thermometer. You can tell by looking for signs whether the water will freeze or boil. You can also use your hands or elbows to help measure the temperature of the water. Determining the temperature of the water without the help of a thermometer will not be able to give accurate results.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using Hands and Elbows
Step 1. Hold your hand near the water
If you want to guess whether the water is cold, lukewarm, or hot, first hold your hand above the water. If you feel hot, it means the water is high and could burn you. If you don't feel hot, the water is probably room temperature or cold.
Do not place your hands directly in water, either in the kitchen or in the outdoors, without holding them above the water first to measure the temperature
Step 2. Dip your elbows in the water
If the water container is large enough, dip your elbows in the water. Thus, you have a rough estimate of the water temperature. You'll also instantly be able to tell if the water is hot or cold.
Do not touch your hands to water whose temperature is not clear because it can cause burns
Step 3. Measure the temperature of the water
Let your elbows sit for 5-10 seconds in the water to get a rough temperature of the water. If the water feels a little warm, but not hot, it means the water is around 38 degrees Celsius.
Method 2 of 3: Determining the Cold Water Temperature
Step 1. Look for condensation in the water container
If the water is in a glass or metal container, such as a thermos or a frying pan, and you see dew forming, it means the water is cooler than the surrounding air.
- Roughly speaking, condensation will quickly form when the water temperature is colder than the air temperature.
- If you see condensation forming on the outside of the glass in 2-3 minutes, the water being measured is very cold.
Step 2. Watch for ice formation
If the water being measured is very cold and begins to freeze, you will notice that a thin layer of ice begins to form around the edges. Freezing water has a temperature close to 0 degrees Celsius, although it could still be several degrees higher, somewhere between 1-2 degrees Celsius.
For example, you may find small pieces of ice starting to form at the edges of the water and bowl meeting when you see them in the freezer
Step 3. Check if the water is frozen
You can do this step just by looking at the water. If water freezes (solid ice), the temperature is below 0 degrees Celsius.
Method 3 of 3: Measuring Water Heat Based on Bubble Size
Step 1. Look for small bubbles when the water starts to heat up
If you want to more accurately measure the temperature of water starting to heat up without a thermometer, watch for bubbles that form at the bottom of the pot or pan. Very small bubbles indicate that the water is about 70 degrees Celsius.
These bubbles at low temperatures are said to be similar to “shrimp eye”, which is about the size of a pin head
Step 2. Notice the medium sized bubbles
As the water continues to heat up, the bubbles at the bottom will expand until they exceed the "shrimp eye" size. This is a good sign that the water temperature is approaching 80 degrees Celsius.
- Water vapor will also slightly rise from the hot water when it reaches a temperature of 80 degrees Celsius.
- Bubbles of this size are called "crab eyes".
Step 3. Watch the big bubbles rise
The bubbles at the bottom of the pot will expand, and eventually begin to rise to the surface of the water. At this point, the water will be 85 degrees Celsius. You can also tell when the water reaches 85 degrees Celsius because you will hear a small crackling sound from the bottom of the pot.
The first bubble that begins to float to the surface is the size of a "fish's eye"
Step 4. Look at the “string of pearl” phase
This is the final stage of heating the water before it starts to boil completely. Large bubbles from the bottom of the pan will begin to rise to the surface and form a chain of continuous air bubbles. At this stage the water will be between 90-95 degrees Celsius.
Immediately after the “string of pearl” phase, the water will reach 100 degrees Celsius and boil
Tips
- The altitude above sea level has an impact on boiling water. Normally water boils at 100 degrees Celsius, but its boiling point changes to 90 degrees Celsius at altitude, due to reduced atmospheric pressure.
- If water is polluted, for example, it contains salt, its boiling point will change. The more polluted the water, the higher the boiling point.
