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Introduction Calculating Temperatures Still need help?

 

Introduction

Having your kettle reach boiling below your target temperature can be surprising, but it doesn't always mean that something is wrong. It may actually be related to the elevation of where you're brewing.

For every 500 feet/152 meters in elevation gain, the boiling point for water decreases by approx. 1.1°F/0.5°C. This means that while your kettle will boil at the normal 212°F/100°C at sea level, it will happen at a lower temperature the higher up you are. The chart below outlines the relationship between boiling point and elevation.

Based on standard sea-level atmospheric pressure (courtesy, NOAA):

Altitude, ft (m) Boiling point of water, °F (°C)
0 (0 m) 212°F (100°C)
500 (150 m) 211.1°F (99.5°C)
1,000 (305 m) 210.2°F (99°C)
2,000 (610 m) 208.4°F (98°C)
5,000 (1524 m) 203°F (95°C)
6,000 (1829 m) 201.1°F (94°C)
8,000 (2438 m) 197.4°F (91.9°C)
10,000 (3048 m) 193.6°F (89.8°C)
12,000 (3658 m) 189.8°F (87.6°C)
14,000 (4267 m) 185.9°F (85.5°C)
15,000 (4572 m) 184.1°F (84.5°C)

Source: NASA

 

Calculating Temperatures

If you'd like to calculate the boiling temperature based on a specific altitude, click here.

 

Still need help?

If you have any questions, or if your kettle is boiling too soon without elevation contributing, please don't hesitate to reach out! Our customer service team would be happy to help. 

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