What To Do If The Lid Gets Stuck On A Boiling Pot

While we're cooking up a delicious meal, the last thing we want is for the lid on a pot of boiling water to get stuck. When this happens, it's typically due to a vacuum seal created by the temperature difference between the hot pot and the cooler air around it, which sucks the lid onto the rim of the pot and makes it difficult to remove.

This is bound to happen sometimes, as not covering the pot with a lid is a big cooking mistake with certain foods like green beans. So what to do when the inevitable happens? If a pot lid gets stuck, first turn off the burner and remove it from heat. This prevents pressure from building up inside. Without that temperature difference creating a vacuum, hopefully you'll be able to take it right off once the cooking vessel cools down a bit. If it doesn't work at first, try gently tapping the rim with a wooden spoon to break the seal.

Of course, vacuum seals aren't the only factor that contributes to stuck lids. Heat causes metal pots to expand, and if the lid doesn't have a lip to hold it over the rim, it can get wedged inside. If that happens, put the pot back onto low heat and wait a few minutes. Then, try to remove the lid. It should come right off once the metal has had a chance to expand a bit again.

The best way to remove your stuck pot lids is to ensure they don't get into that position in the first place. To that end, ensure you use the right kind of pot lids. Some lids have small holes to allow steam to escape while you're boiling water for foods like pasta; these vents also serve to equalize air pressure and prevent a vacuum seal. Metal pot lids typically don't have these holes, which can be why it's easier for them to get stuck.

You can also leave your pot lid slightly askew. Leaving space to allow air pressure to equalize will achieve the same effect as a steam vent and prevent a vacuum seal from forming. It might feel like a mistake while you're boiling potatoes or other foods and make cooking take longer, but you may find that it's better than the alternative.

Pots and pans aren't the only thing a lid can get stuck to, either. If a lid is completely flat at the bottom and has no rim, it can get sealed to a smooth countertop just as easily as it might to a pot. Don't set such lids directly on your counter, especially if it's something particularly smooth like granite. If it does get stuck, twist the lid or gently slide a utensil between it and the counter to break the vacuum seal (of course, being careful not to harm yourself or the counter).