US Trends

what temp is simmer on stove

Simmer on a stove is usually around 185–205°F (85–96°C), meaning the liquid is just below a full boil with gentle, small bubbles breaking the surface occasionally.

What temp is simmer on a stove?

Most cooking sources define simmer as:

  • Roughly 185–205°F (85–96°C).
  • Below a full boil (which is 212°F / 100°C at sea level).
  • Visually: small, lazy bubbles and gentle movement, not a rolling, violent boil.

Many chefs treat 180–190°F (82–88°C) as a classic “gentle simmer,” while 195–205°F (91–96°C) is a faster or “rapid” simmer you’d use to reduce sauces.

Mini-guide: low, regular, and rapid simmer

Here’s a quick breakdown you can keep in mind while cooking:

  • Low/slow simmer : around 180–185°F (82–85°C); very few small bubbles, good for stocks and long braises.
  • Regular simmer : around 185–195°F (85–91°C); gentle but steady small bubbles, ideal for soups, stews, and sauces.
  • Rapid simmer : around 195–205°F (91–96°C); more active bubbles but still not a full rolling boil, used to thicken or reduce liquids.

Stove knob settings (rule of thumb)

Exact stove numbers vary, but for many home stoves:

  • Start by bringing the pot to a boil.
  • Then lower to low or medium-low until you see those gentle, steady bubbles.
  • Gas stoves respond faster; electric and glass tops stay hotter, so you may need to lower them a bit earlier to avoid creeping up to a boil.

The visual cue is more reliable than the number on the knob: if it’s churning hard, it is boiling; if it’s barely moving with small bubbles popping now and then, you’re at a simmer.

Quick example

If you’re making a pot of chili or soup:

  1. Bring it to a full boil.
  2. Turn the heat down to low or medium-low.
  3. Wait 30–60 seconds and check: you want a gentle blurp-blurp every few seconds, not constant splashing.
  4. Adjust the heat slightly up or down to keep that steady simmer going.

TL;DR:
For “what temp is simmer on stove,” think 185–205°F (85–96°C) with gentle, small bubbles rather than a rolling boil.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.