Why does a pot of water not steam when boiling but once the heat is turned off, it becomes really steamy?

Question

Why does a pot of water not steam when boiling but once the heat is turned off, it becomes really steamy?

In: Chemistry

Answer 1

Steam is invisible. What you are seeing is actually steam cooling and turning back to water. When you turn off the heat the steam and nearby air becomes cooler allowing the steam to cool more easily and become visible water.