What a frustrating experience this was:
I was cooking some chicken pieces, stewing with onion and chicken broth and spices, for our supper and also for Buddy who adores chicken.
I started the chicken right after lunch so I would have it done and out of the way well before supper time. The delicious smells filled the kitchen and Buddy could hardly wait. When it was done I gave him a few bites.
I put the remainder in the fridge until later. Got it back out and reheated right before we ate.
THEN>>>>
I tried to lift the lid off the pot. A large stainless steel dutch oven type pot. UH OH . The lid would not budge. I pried and lifted and fought with it.
All the while dinner awaited. Buddy waited, Hubby waited. Then hubby came in and tried his hand at getting the lid off. No luck.
I said, let's try running COLD WATER over the lid. Nothing.
We tried prying it with a screw driver,....nope
STUCK TIGHT
I threatened to take the pot, chicken and all, and toss it over our second story porch railing and watch it bounce on the driveway.;)
Mr C finally had a sandwich and I ate rice and a canned peach. Buddy ate dog food :(
Then I posted a question about my problem on "Yahoo Ask" and I got this answer
" If you have liquid in the pot, put it back on the burner , turn it up high, medium and let it simmer for a while." I did this.
Went back in about 15 minutes later and VOILA ! the lid lifted right off.
Never in my almost 81 years have I experienced a vacuum stuck pot lid. A first for everything I guess.
(I now know the cold water I ran over pot probably stuck the lid on tighter)
Tuck this experience in your memory bank. You may need to unstick a pot lid one day.
Thinking back on this pot caper, I realize it would have made a funny episode of " I Love Lucy" with Ethel and Lucy and Ricky. Ricky would have been cussing in Spanish. :) :)
9 comments:
Oh, Chancy, that was frustrating. As I read of your problem, I knew exactly what had happened. The steam had driven out the air. When steam cools and the water condenses out, the water takes only 1/1700 (if I remember general science from 8th grade, correctly) of the space that the steam took; leaving you with a vacuum. When you re-heat the pot, the water is converted back to steam and the pressure of the steam will push the lid off.
For the same reason, I don't seal the lid of a Tupperware container while the food is hot. The lid (at least!) may collapse from the vacuum formed.
You will know and remember, next time. (Good for you that you looked up the answer!)
Cop Car
Thanks cop Car I must have failed 8th grade science..;)
Thanks, Chancy. That information may come in handy one day.
I have stainless steel cookware that I bought before I got married (47 years ago). The pots always have that happen, but the info that came with them mentioned it - so I have always known how to get it unstuck. Too bad you had to find out late, but I'm glad you found out.
Chancy--I cannot imagine your having failed anything in 8th grade. You probably weren't the nerd that I was. I've always grooved on science and math (could you tell?)
Cop Car
Well, that's the first time I heard of that happening...how frustrating Chancy. At least you know what to do if that should happen again. Might come in handy...I've still got some stainless steel pots...but I don't cook in them much anymore. Heck, I just don't cook much anymore.
Wow, I am tucking this information away. I had to laugh at all the suffering - especially poor Buddy reduced to dog food. All is well that ends well. I bet it was a very delicious meal.
I shall try to remember your tip - but hope I don't ever need it.
Good to know. I've never had that experience with a pot lid either. Glad you finally got to enjoy the rest of your chicken and Buddy did, too.
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