To boil potatoes for mashed potatoes, peel and cut them into chunks about 1 to 2 inches in size. Place the potatoes in a pot, cover with cold salted water, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer and cook for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender and can be easily pierced

. Covering the pot while boiling is generally recommended to maintain a consistent simmer and speed up cooking, but some sources suggest simmering with the pot covered or uncovered depending on preference. The key is to keep the water at a gentle boil or simmer, not a vigorous boil, to ensure even cooking and a smooth texture

. In summary:

• Peel and cut potatoes into chunks (1-2 inches)
• Cover with cold salted water
• Bring to boil, then reduce heat to simmer
• Cook uncovered or covered for 15-20 minutes until fork-tender

This method yields potatoes ready for creamy mashed potatoes