Always use COLD water as the hot water usually comes from a tank where the water has been sitting. Who knows what is lurking in there? And as someone already stated, cover the pot as this helps speed things up as well as conserve energy.

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Be careful not to burn the water as it boils

I don't know why many of my usa friends do not have "electric kettles" those wonderful devices that sit on the counter top, plug into a wall outlet and heat the water quickly. Auto cut off and you are golden.

But it is so much fun to do it again!

Been done to death in the comments for this recipe, on topic:

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/reviews/Salted-Water-for-Boiling-105591

And never leave the room (just don't watch). The reason goes in the fiasco pickle...

Fill a pot with water. Depending on your preference, hot or cold water. Cover or uncovered, doesn't matter. Set your timer if you're prone to forget things like that.

Rules:

1) Stop watching the pot!
2) Never fill your pot to the brim with water!
3) Never rush with a pot full of boiling water!

But if you watch the pot it will never boil. Be sure to put on a blindfold.

These responses are a riot! :)

On a serious note, hot water and a covered pot will boil faster.

I'm thinking an artisan hammered water boiling pot is in order, no?

First things first. You need to begin by discovering fire. After that collect rain in a pail. Apply fire to pail.