CFESA STUDY GUIDE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS.
VERIFIED 2025/2026.
What is a BTU? - ANS The amount of heat required to raise 1 pound of water 1 degree F
How many Btu does it take to raise one pound of water 1 degrees Fahrenheit? - ANS 1 Btu
What what temperature does water boil? - ANS 212 degrees
If enough heat is added to a pot of water to raise the temperature of the water to 212 degrees
will the water be boiling? - ANS No, not until latent heat is added
What is latent heat of vaporization? - ANS The additional latent heat it takes to turn 1 lb of a
substance at its boiling point, into steam
What is the value of the latent heat of vaporization of water? - ANS 970 Btu
What is condensate? - ANS The liquid created when a substance cools enough to give up its
latent heat
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,How much steam will be created when one cubic foot of water is boiled off? - ANS 1500 cubic
feet
What is the boiling point of water at 10 Psi? - ANS 239 degrees
What is the boiling point of water at 15 Psi? - ANS 250 degrees
Why does steam cook food so quickly? - ANS Because of the high amount of latent heat
transferred when the steam condenses on the food
What are the three characteristics foods are judged on? - ANS Color, texture, and taste
Color change in food is directly related to what? - ANS Temperature
At what temperature does food color begin to change? - ANS Color begins to break down at
215 to 220 degrees F
What does cooking food at 212 degrees in an atmospheric steamer do to food color? -
ANS Enhances the color of the food
What effect does oxidization have on food? - ANS Ruins the color of the food and the eye
appeal
What does cooking vegetables in a pressure steamer do to their texture? - ANS The texture
breaks down when cooked in a pressure steamer
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,What causes the break down in food texture when cooked in a pressure steamer? - ANS The
texture breakdown is caused by the rapid release of pressure from inside the food itself as the
pressure inside the compartment is rapidly released
What can happen to the taste of food cooked in a pressure steamer? - ANS Pressure
steaming food can decrease the natural flavor of the food as the natural juices and vitamins
leave the food. There can also be taste transfer from one food to another depending on the
different foods being cooked in the same compartment at the same time
How does food in a convection steamer overcome the taste problems? - ANS Convection
steaming has not pressure to create taste transfer and allows food to maintain its natural flavors
and juices. The constant draining of condensate removes any acids secreted from any of the
food.
How can convection steam cooking increase the heat transfer to the food better then pressure
steaming? - ANS Convection steaming can increase the heat transfer because the movement
of steam in the compartment removes any air barrier over the food, and all of the condensate
goes down the drain and will not absorb any of the heat from the steam
What are the four inspections performed on a boiler as it is manufactured? - ANS Steel is
inspected before it is shipped. The fit up of a boiler shell is inspected after it is tack welded. The
welding inspection after the boiler has been welded, and the hydrostatic pressure test.
How is boiler plate steel identified? - ANS The inspection codes printed on it
What is hydrostatic testing? - ANS Testing of the boiler at certain water pressures at certain
temperatures
Who is responsible for inspecting boilers? - ANS Certified boiler inspectors employed by the
state, or in some cases by Specialty insurance companies
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, What is a boiler license, and who requires it? - ANS A boiler license is required in many states
or local jurisdictions in order to by install or service any pressure vessel
Why is there even a need for a boiler license? - ANS Boiler licenses are needed to ensure that
those installing or servicing steam pressure vessels are qualified and knowledgeable of the
codes, and service procedures. Pressurized steam equipment can cost lives and serious injuries
if a serious accident occurs
What is a boiler permit? - ANS A boiler permit is an approval to install or modify a steam
pressure vessel. In the foodservice sector, this can include boiler bases of any kind of steam
kettle, whether direct steam fired or self-contained
Who can legally weld boilers? - ANS Certified boiler welders
What is an "R" stamp? - ANS An "R stamp is a designation certifying that the holder has the
expertise and knows the proper codes and methods of making safe repairs to any boiler
pressure vessel
What is the difference between a steam boiler and a steam generator? - ANS A steam boiler
operates under pressure and a steam generator creates steam under no pressure
At what pressure do steam generators usually operate? - ANS 212 degrees F
What is the most common reason that steam generators need to be replaced? - ANS Scale
build up and corrosion
Which type of boiler will fail first, a gas fired or electric heated? - ANS Gas fired
4 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS.
VERIFIED 2025/2026.
What is a BTU? - ANS The amount of heat required to raise 1 pound of water 1 degree F
How many Btu does it take to raise one pound of water 1 degrees Fahrenheit? - ANS 1 Btu
What what temperature does water boil? - ANS 212 degrees
If enough heat is added to a pot of water to raise the temperature of the water to 212 degrees
will the water be boiling? - ANS No, not until latent heat is added
What is latent heat of vaporization? - ANS The additional latent heat it takes to turn 1 lb of a
substance at its boiling point, into steam
What is the value of the latent heat of vaporization of water? - ANS 970 Btu
What is condensate? - ANS The liquid created when a substance cools enough to give up its
latent heat
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,How much steam will be created when one cubic foot of water is boiled off? - ANS 1500 cubic
feet
What is the boiling point of water at 10 Psi? - ANS 239 degrees
What is the boiling point of water at 15 Psi? - ANS 250 degrees
Why does steam cook food so quickly? - ANS Because of the high amount of latent heat
transferred when the steam condenses on the food
What are the three characteristics foods are judged on? - ANS Color, texture, and taste
Color change in food is directly related to what? - ANS Temperature
At what temperature does food color begin to change? - ANS Color begins to break down at
215 to 220 degrees F
What does cooking food at 212 degrees in an atmospheric steamer do to food color? -
ANS Enhances the color of the food
What effect does oxidization have on food? - ANS Ruins the color of the food and the eye
appeal
What does cooking vegetables in a pressure steamer do to their texture? - ANS The texture
breaks down when cooked in a pressure steamer
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,What causes the break down in food texture when cooked in a pressure steamer? - ANS The
texture breakdown is caused by the rapid release of pressure from inside the food itself as the
pressure inside the compartment is rapidly released
What can happen to the taste of food cooked in a pressure steamer? - ANS Pressure
steaming food can decrease the natural flavor of the food as the natural juices and vitamins
leave the food. There can also be taste transfer from one food to another depending on the
different foods being cooked in the same compartment at the same time
How does food in a convection steamer overcome the taste problems? - ANS Convection
steaming has not pressure to create taste transfer and allows food to maintain its natural flavors
and juices. The constant draining of condensate removes any acids secreted from any of the
food.
How can convection steam cooking increase the heat transfer to the food better then pressure
steaming? - ANS Convection steaming can increase the heat transfer because the movement
of steam in the compartment removes any air barrier over the food, and all of the condensate
goes down the drain and will not absorb any of the heat from the steam
What are the four inspections performed on a boiler as it is manufactured? - ANS Steel is
inspected before it is shipped. The fit up of a boiler shell is inspected after it is tack welded. The
welding inspection after the boiler has been welded, and the hydrostatic pressure test.
How is boiler plate steel identified? - ANS The inspection codes printed on it
What is hydrostatic testing? - ANS Testing of the boiler at certain water pressures at certain
temperatures
Who is responsible for inspecting boilers? - ANS Certified boiler inspectors employed by the
state, or in some cases by Specialty insurance companies
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, What is a boiler license, and who requires it? - ANS A boiler license is required in many states
or local jurisdictions in order to by install or service any pressure vessel
Why is there even a need for a boiler license? - ANS Boiler licenses are needed to ensure that
those installing or servicing steam pressure vessels are qualified and knowledgeable of the
codes, and service procedures. Pressurized steam equipment can cost lives and serious injuries
if a serious accident occurs
What is a boiler permit? - ANS A boiler permit is an approval to install or modify a steam
pressure vessel. In the foodservice sector, this can include boiler bases of any kind of steam
kettle, whether direct steam fired or self-contained
Who can legally weld boilers? - ANS Certified boiler welders
What is an "R" stamp? - ANS An "R stamp is a designation certifying that the holder has the
expertise and knows the proper codes and methods of making safe repairs to any boiler
pressure vessel
What is the difference between a steam boiler and a steam generator? - ANS A steam boiler
operates under pressure and a steam generator creates steam under no pressure
At what pressure do steam generators usually operate? - ANS 212 degrees F
What is the most common reason that steam generators need to be replaced? - ANS Scale
build up and corrosion
Which type of boiler will fail first, a gas fired or electric heated? - ANS Gas fired
4 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
