Email from the Real World

Message  6:
From ****.com Mon Jan 13 23:06:19 1997
To: Frank Wattenberg 
Subject: Boiling Temperature

Hello Frank:

I am stuck and I am hoping someone at your place can help me. I have
searched the web endlessly but no one seems to know the correct answer
to my question.

Question:  If  water boils at 212 degs.F. at sea level, if you go up
1000 feet in altitude, at what temperture will water boil?  At 2000 feet?
At 3000 feet?  In other words, does the boiling temperature of water
decrease at the same rate for each 1000 feet you go up?

This may sound like a bit of a stupid question but, I am the Regional
Service Manager for **** brand dishwashers. My problem started when a 
fellow in **** claimed that because he lives at a higher altitude than 
****, his dishwasher is boiling all of the water dry before completing 
the cycle.

At first, I thought the guy was putting me on but I have had 4-5
complaints ... All doing the same thing and different people suggesting
the same reason.  The model dishwasher they own is deemed a commercial
unit so the maximum temperature the high limit saftey could ever reach
would be 203 deg. F.

If altitude is affecting the boiling temperature of the water, I need to
know.  I would sure appreciate it if you would reply to this question with
the correct answer.

If you are unable to answer the question, I would really appreciate it
if you would forward this note and my email address to someone who can
help me.

Thanks very much for your help.

I can be reached at ****

Sincerely,
****
****
Regional Service Manager


Message  1:
From ****.com Tue Jan 14 18:43:53 1997
To: Frank Wattenberg 
Subject: Re: Boiling Temperature

Hello Frank:

Thank you for your input on the boiling temperature thing. It has
presented a problem for me and I am not sure what the final cure will be
yet. You see, the dishwasher MUST reach 180 deg. F. so it will pass the
health codes. If the water boils before the cycle thermostat  reaches
temperature, the cycle thermostat will never click over to advance the
cycle. The water will boil reducing the volume of water in the tank. The
unit will then refill and start the process all over again. Simply, it
will never advance and will continue this loop until it is manually
cancelled.

To make matters worse, the same company builds a low energy consumption 
machine that washes the clothes at 190 deg. F. In the same area this washer 
also boils the water dry.

I am not sure how a city like Denver (the mile high city) with an
altitude of 5280 ft. deals with this problem. They have lots of this equipment 
there as well.  The manufacture of the product claims I am the only person 
complaining.

Well, these are my problems for today. Thank you again for your input.
Please stay in touch.

****