Boil things quicker, save the world!
In a bit of a rush to boil your spuds?

Cover the pan.

Saves all the heat energy from being lost to the ether, thus reducing the boiling time, and cooks yer food using half the energy you've previously used.

Plus in today's modern fossil fuel anxiety culture, you're helping save us all from imminent doom. Sort of.
(scentless_apprentice takes two bottles into the shower!, Wed 28 May 2008, 16:07, 2 replies, latest was 16 years ago)

froth
The only problem I've found is that the pan froths up more and makes a mess of the cooker.
Use a 3-tier steamer for doing the veg. They're healthier, don't go all mushy, uses only one hob for 3 pans worth of veg and not as much washing up.
( sandettie light vessel automatic New Twitter - @bollocksreally, Tue 3 Jun 2008, 18:20, Reply)

To solve the froth problem
turn down the heat a touch (as the water will still be at 100C no matter how furiously its boiling) or put in something to stop the froth (I think there is something metal you can drop in the pot to do it).
Also, when it is foaming up, put the lid on at a slight angle to start with, till it cools down (after lowering the cookers temperature) as it will still keep more heat in than uncovered.
(Wize, Sun 8 Jun 2008, 22:16, Reply)