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Leidenfrost effect

Also searched as: dancing water droplet, water droplet test, mercury ball test

In short: On a very hot pan, a drop of water floats on its own cushion of steam and dances around.

Picture it

Like an air hockey puck on a cushion of air.

Level 1 · Water droplets on the pan≈ 5 cm

Simplified model

What happens

At medium heat a drop evaporates with a hiss. If the pan is much hotter, the underside evaporates so fast that a cushion of steam forms and the drop glides on it. It even lasts longer.

Why it matters

The simplest test of whether a stainless steel pan is hot enough for meat or fish.

Rules of thumb

  1. Stainless steel pan: when a drop of water dances as a ball, it is hot enough for nothing to stick.
  2. Do not overheat non-stick pans while empty.

Levers

1
Temperatureonly from high heat
Related entries
Preheating the pan properlyFish sticks to the panSteak turns grey instead of brownThe dancing water droplet
Sources · 1
  • Harold McGee: On Food and Cooking (2004)