When you heat water to a rolling boil, the chlorine molecules get all excited and fizzy—like you after three cups of coffee. They break free from the H₂O and vanish into steam.
But here’s the kicker: it takes time. Just bringing water to a boil for a few seconds won’t do much. You need to let it rock and roll for about 15 to 20 minutes to shoo most of the chlorine out.
And if you’re using a lid? Well, you’re basically trapping the chlorine steam back into the water. That’s like locking a ghost in a haunted house—it doesn’t leave. Leave the lid off!
The Fine Print: Chloramine vs. Chlorine
Some water systems use chloramine—a sneaky cousin of chlorine that’s a bit more clingy. Boiling for 15 minutes? That barely makes a dent in chloramine.
To evict chloramine, you’d need to boil for an hour or more, which feels like a punishment for wanting clean-tasting water. Nobody has that kind of patience (or gas bill).
If your water utility uses chloramine, boiling is a meh solution. You’d be better off with a filter or leaving the water out overnight.
