Question

Why, in practice, do we use 10% - 20% more than the minimum volume of solvent during recrystallisation

Answer 1

Recrystallization methods that I have seen online and in manuals involve adding a minimum amount hot solvent to the solid mixture. Is there a reason I should do this instead of adding an equivalent amount of solvent at room temperature and then heating?

I've tried dissolving table salt and sugar both ways, but I didn't notice a substantial difference other than adding hot solvent directly requires less time to dissolve because it took time to heat the cooler solvent.