On Tue, 14 Dec 2010 21:18:53 -0600, Pringles CheezUms
> wrote:

>
>>>I got a new stock pot and tried it out today...
>>> The problem is it never would get to a rolling boil...
>>
>>What kind of cooktop are you heating on? How wide are the heating elements?
>>How wide is your stockpot?
>
>The cooktop is electric. Btu's has never been an issue before.
>The element in question is roughly 9" across, and the stockpot fits it
>well, maybe an inch wider.
>I filled it up about halfway with water, and sprinkled maybe two or
>three tablespoons of kosher salt in there.
>
>Tried it again tonite and let it go a little longer. It didn't have a
>problem getting to a strong rolling boil with the lid on. But with the
>lid off it went to the large bubbles/strong current breaking the
>surface.
>It helped when the spaghetti went in. Then it got kind of a strong boil,
>but not like with the old pot.

If you're filling half way that's only six quarts... even the smallest
electric element should be able to easily bring six quarts of water to
a rolling boil.

However...

Electric elements are often in sections; in low range the smaller
section is energized, in medium heat range only the larger element is
energized, in high range both elements are energized... you may have a
portion of your element burned out... or possibly not making
connection. Turn it up to full high with no pot... should be easy to
see if a portion doesn't turn red.