The Ultimate Guide To Removing Stubborn Lids From Hot Pots

Getting a lid off a hot pot can be a tricky business, especially if it's vacuum-sealed. The first thing to do is to remove the pot from the heat source to avoid reinforcing the vacuum and potentially warping the lid and pan. Then, try removing the lid by hand, wearing oven gloves. If this doesn't work, you could try placing a hot towel on the lid for a few minutes to raise the temperature before attempting to remove it again. Alternatively, you could try cooling the lid by placing ice on it or putting the whole pot in the freezer for 20-30 minutes. If all else fails, you could try using a wooden spoon to lever the lid off, but be careful not to snap the spoon or damage the pot.

Try heating the pan and lid

If your lid is stuck on a hot pot, you could try heating the pan and lid. Place the pan back onto a stove burner and turn the stove burner to low heat. Allow the pan and lid to heat up for a few minutes. While holding the pan handle with one hand, grasp the lid handle, which may be warm, and pull upwards to release the lid. If this doesn't work, you could try heating the pan and constantly trying to get the lid off while you heat the pan. The goal is to find a point where the pan is hotter than the lid, giving you some wiggle room. However, be careful not to let the lid get too hot, as the moment it does, the vacuum is back.

If the lid is still stuck, you could try placing ice on the lid while the pan is hot. This works on the principle that heating expands and cooling shrinks. The ice will cause the lid to contract and may release the vacuum seal. However, be careful not to let the pan get too hot, as this could create a pressure cooker effect, and the lid could come flying off.

If you have access to a hammer drill, you could try placing the pan upside down on a couple of pieces of wood. Then, put a metal rod or wooden dowel in the drill and place a scrap piece of wood between the drill and the pan. Use the hammer drill to hit the bottom of the pan. This method provides more force than simply hitting the pan with your hand and may be more effective at breaking the vacuum seal.

Use a wooden spoon to lever the lid off

If your lid is stuck on your hot pot, one method you can try is to use a wooden spoon to lever the lid off. Place the handle of the wooden spoon under the rim of the lid, and use it to try and lever the lid off by prying it upwards. If you're worried about the wooden spoon snapping, you could try using a broomstick instead.

If this doesn't work, you could try placing the pot back on the stove on low heat and allowing the pan and lid to heat up for a few minutes. You could also try running the pot and lid under hot water, or placing a towel wet with hot water on top of the lid for a few minutes.

If you want to try and break the vacuum seal, you could try heating the pan and placing ice on the lid in an attempt to create a temperature difference. Alternatively, you could try placing the whole setup in the freezer.

Put the pan and lid in the freezer

If you've got a lid stuck on a hot pot, one method to try is putting the pan and lid in the freezer. This method works on the principle that metals contract when cooled, so by freezing the pan and lid, you're aiming to create some wiggle room to separate them.

First, make sure your pan and lid are made of a material that can withstand low freezer temperatures without cracking or breaking. Stainless steel and aluminum pans, for instance, are good options as they cool quickly and can handle low temperatures. If your pan doesn't have an airtight lid, you'll need to wrap it carefully to create a moisture and vapour barrier. Use plastic wrap and then cover with heavy-duty aluminum foil.

Place the wrapped pan and lid in the freezer and leave them there for several hours. The exact amount of time will depend on how cold your freezer is and the material of your pan and lid, but you're aiming for a significant temperature drop.

Once the pan and lid are thoroughly chilled, remove them from the freezer. You may need to act quickly, as the metal will start to warm up and expand again once it's out of the freezer. Try to lift the lid off the pan. If it still doesn't come off, you can try running hot water over the pan to expand it while the lid remains cold.

If this method doesn't work, there are several other techniques you can try, such as heating the pan, using a combination of hot and cold, or even taking it outside and giving it a whack with a hammer!

Tap the pan and lid with a wooden spoon

If your lid is stuck on your hot pot, one method to try is to tap the pan and lid with a wooden spoon. Place the sealed pan back on the burner and heat the pan slowly on low heat. This will cause the air inside the pan to warm and expand, helping to break the vacuum seal.

Once the pan is back on the heat, firmly tap the rim of the pan and then the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Try lifting the lid. If the lid does not come off, repeat these steps until the lid comes off.

It is important to note that you should not leave the pan while it is heating. Do not wait for the lid to get hot, as the vacuum will remain in place. Try to lift the lid as soon as the pan starts to heat, and keep trying until the lid is removed.

Try a hot towel on the lid

If you're struggling to get the lid off a hot pot, one method you can try is to use a hot towel on the lid. This method works because the difference in temperature between the hot air inside the pot and the cooler air outside can create a vacuum, resulting in a vacuum seal that draws the lid tightly towards the pot.

To break this vacuum seal, first, try holding the pot handle with one hand and use the other hand to carefully lift the lid straight up and off. If the lid doesn't move, place the pot back onto the stove burner and turn it to low heat. Allow the pot and lid to heat up for a few minutes, then try again to lift the lid. If the lid still doesn't budge, it's time to try the hot towel method.

Wet a towel with hot water and place it on top of the lid for a few minutes. The hot water will help to expand the metal, loosening the lid and making it easier to remove. Repeat these steps as needed, allowing the lid to cool down between attempts to prevent it from becoming too hot to touch.

You can also try running the lid under hot water or placing the pot, lid first, into a bowl of hot water for 30 seconds. This will heat up the lid, causing it to expand slightly and release its tight grip. Just be sure to use a potholder or dry dish towel when handling the lid after applying heat.

If you don't have access to hot water, you can use a hairdryer to heat up the lid. Aim the hairdryer at the lid for 30 seconds on a high setting, then use a towel or potholder to try to twist off the lid. Be very careful not to burn yourself, as the metal lid will get very hot.

With a bit of heat and some patience, you should be able to successfully remove the lid from your hot pot!

Frequently asked questions