When Should You Use a Lid on Your Pot?

If you cook, you probably own a bunch of pots and skillets that come with corresponding lids. Sometimes it may seem like they don't do much except take up space, but the truth is they can be very important as well. It just depends on what you're doing.

Is it better to cook with a lid or without a lid?

Cooking occurs as the heat interacts with ingredients. As the pot cooks the food, the heat passes into the air, creating steam. That steam is hot and can contribute to the cooking, but when there is no lid, that heat goes out of the kitchen as waste. When you leave a lid on, the heat is trapped in the pot, helping you cook your food faster.

Below are some tips for when to put a lid on and when you can leave it off:

When should you put a lid on a pot?

1. When you're trying to retain heat: If you're trying to bring something to a boil, it is better to put a lid on it so it will come to the boil faster and save energy.

2. When you want to stop evaporation: If you're preparing sauces or stews and want a perfect consistency while the veggies aren’t cooked through, using a lid will stop the liquid from evaporating, allowing you to retain the consistency while cooking the vegetables.

3. When steaming: Heat from steam is a great method of cooking things, especially delicate ones like seafood and vegetables. If you leave the lid on to use when steaming, you'll get more tender results.

4. When braising: Braising is another moist heat cooking method. It is ideal for tougher cuts of meat that need moist heat over a longer period of time. Using a lid will trap in the moisture and give you tender meat that boils faster.

When you won't need a lid

1. When you're reducing: If you’re trying to thicken a sauce or soup, don't use a lid. Evaporation is needed in the reduction technique, and covering the lid will prevent that moisture from escaping.

2. When searing or browning: To sear, you need a very hot pan with no moisture, so you should avoid using lids for this one.

3. When stir-frying: This is yet another cooking method that requires no lid but needs a hot pan.

4. When deep-frying: Avoid covering the pan when deep-frying because the steam created in the process will collect on the lid and drip back into the hot oil. This can be dangerous as the hot oil can splash you, causing burns.

Summary

Lids play a crucial role in food preparation, but they are not needed in all cases. If you're trying to keep heat in and prevent evaporation, lids are your best friends. But if your goal is to thicken, simmer, or cook, leaving the lid on often helps.