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Whirlpool pot uses science to keep pasta from sticking to the bottom

23 Comments
By Steven Simonitch

When I was a kid, the 15 minutes or so it took to make a box of macaroni and cheese felt like an eternity. Not only did I have to wait for the water to boil, I had to stand there even after dumping the noodles in and stir occasionally so they wouldn’t stick to the bottom of the pot. And exactly how much is “occasionally” anyway?

No matter now! Thanks to Kurukuru Nabe, a pot that causes water to create a whirlpool as it boils, we never have to worry about food sticking to the bottom of the pot again!

Kurukuru Nabe — literally, “Spinning Pot” — was invented by Japanese dentist Hideki Watanabe, who created a prototype out of plaster after the idea came to him one day.

The science behind Kurukuru Nabe is simple: as the water temperature rises, convection causes the hot water to rise and flow upward along the spiral-shaped grooves on the interior side of the pot. That movement eventually creates a vortex as the water approaches boiling point and the convection currents become more rapid.

This vortex motion spreads heat around faster, causing the water to boil sooner than it would in a normal pot and conserving gas or electricity.

But that’s not all! The whirlpool also stirs whatever you’re cooking for you and spreads heat evenly through the pot so your food cooks faster. Water is also less likely to boil over and scum easier to remove from the surface as bubbles gather at the center of the pot once the water boils.

The product’s website has several demonstration videos you can check out if you want to see it in action.

While Kurukuru Nabe has yet to be commoditized, Watanabe says that he will have a demonstration sample made from sheet metal ready soon and is open to suggestions.

© RocketNews24

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.


23 Comments
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Oh wow - this is indeed revolutionary. I feel with the author - I'm using a Le Creuset pot, and sticking pasta is indeed a problem... Got to try it as soon as it's out.. I wonder if it works on induction ovens.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

I am impressed, and I want one. Not that sticky pasta is a major problem in my life, but I am impressed by the beauty and simplicity of the solution.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Would it work on Rice?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Oh wow - this is indeed revolutionary.

your comment has got my head spinning...it's about time I got round to buying one of these...

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I cook my pasta in a pasta pot bought cheap at a recycle shop. Never had any problem with sticking.

If the kurukuru nabe helps water boil faster thus saving on fuel bills though, there could well be a place for it in my kitchen.

I wonder if the same idea could be used for bathtubs?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Its called try occasionally stirring the pasta and it wont stick to any pot. Unless you like throwing money away on totally unneeded devices that is.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

cleo,

I wonder if the same idea could be used for bathtubs?

Why do you have a problem of sticking to the bottom of your tub? :)

Seriously, it would require a strong temperature gradient between the surface and bottom to get the necessary convection speeds. I don't know if you would enjoy swirling around like that in my bath tub though?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Why do you have a problem of sticking to the bottom of your tub? :)

The mind boggles! :-)

Actually I was thinking more in terms of the water heating faster thus saving on fuel bills, plus the swirling water could have a kind of massage effect....but maybe not.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

For decades, they have sold a sort of ring in the 100 shops, you put it in any pot and that does it. I don't use it because never know where it is. My pasta doesn't stick much, maybe 1 or 2 that I get with the wooden spoon. Well of course if you boil yours 15 minutes...

I'm using a Le Creuset pot

To boil water ?

If the kurukuru nabe helps water boil faster thus saving on fuel bills though

A steam-cooker on induction is the fastest. "pasta pots" are too high, it's a loss of energy, unless you make a ton.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

First World problems.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

First World problems. The ones, it pays best to solve.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

A solution in search of a problem.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Use an ordinary pot, add a splash of Olive Oil to the water and only add the pasta when it is boiling. Make sure you stir it occasionally and it will not stick.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Will a pot with ridges and wrinkles be more difficult to clean after use?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I keep mine covered until the water boils. The shiny stainless steel lid is great, but any lid will do. Although i'm one of those odd people who make pasta in a pan rather than buying those tall pots.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@tokyokawasaki. I agree with you, I always add a splash of Olive Oil and add pasta to boiling water.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I never had that sticking problem either. Just put enough water in the pot and nothing will stick. @ebisen: LeCreuset pots are meant for making stews and hot pots

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Cleo the hot water comes out of the bottom of the tub, so it rises and circulates, if you are using the same water in there already.

Some advice on cooking pasta: Pour a small amount of vegetable oil in the water, and nothing will stick to the bottom, nor will the pasta stick to each other.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

the hot water comes out of the bottom of the tub, so it rises and circulates

It depends on the type of tub. Mine takes in cold water from the lower vent and sends out hot water from the upper vent, so that the water has to be mixed manually to avoid a bath that's too hot at the top and freezing cold at the bottom. But the bath water is never hot enough to cook pasta, so maybe the circulation thing wouldn't work anyway.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Actually, unless you think of somen as pasta, this pot would be way too small to cook spaghetti. The videos are interesting, the somen really swirl around the pot.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I never put anything in the water and I always put my spaghetti in when its cold and boil from there. I never had a problem with spaghetti sticking to the bottom, and I don't stir all that much. Other pasta I don't cook as much, but I don't remember having a problem.

What I have a problem with is cooking the spaghetti after boiling to get the excess water off. Then the spaghetti sticks. Obviously this won't help.

Still, if the stirring is automatic it might make for more even spaghetti.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

this pot would be way too small to cook spaghetti

They've done cooking tests that show you can boil spaghetti in a modest amount of water with zero effect on taste. Save energy: Don't boil a huge pot of water for just a couple of serving of pasta.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Interesting concept, I like it. I don't eat pasta or noodle myself though, as for cooking stuff faster - that's what a pressure cooker is for.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

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