Is it bad to use lids that do not fit on pot?
I was told it's bad to use glass lids on pots that don't fit because the metal against the glass could shatter it. Is this true?
Best Answer
In general (wrong size lid) isn't an issue ... the glass lids, however, could be.
The main issue is when you're boiling stuff, the lid jiggles as the pressure builds up and releases. This results in the lid getting hit over and over again. At the edge of most glass lids, there's a metal ring, so the metal can help to absorb some of the hit and spread it out; also at the edge, the shape of most glass lids will help it to take the force.
With it on a smaller pot, the hit's not on the edge where it could be more easily absorbed, and you have uneven heating (the stuff outside the pot not heating up) which would cause additional stresses in the lid ... and with enough repeated strikes could cause it to fail. Depending on the type of glass it's made of, it could simply crack, or if could completely shatter if it's tempered. And shattering is just a mess -- you basically have to scrap all exposed food, for fear that some glass bits might've gotten in there.
That's not to say that a glass lid can't shatter under normal usage, but most companies test them, and wouldn't sell them if there was a high risk of breakage under normal use. I don't know how much testing goes into mis-use, but they can always claim that's not their fault, and have a possible defense against lawsuits should anyone get injured from using the lid on the wrong sized pot.
.... all of that being said, I do have a pot with a glass lid ... and I have used it on the wrong sized pan before ... but it was an oversized pan. (if you're wondering how, it was steaming stuff in a wok), so the issues aren't the same as in using it on an undersized pot.
Pictures about "Is it bad to use lids that do not fit on pot?"
Can you use a pot lid thats too big?
A Baking Sheet Got a sheet pan handy? Just put it on top of the pot. It's a little bit bulkier than a regular pot lid, but it'll do the trick.What happens when you use a pot or pan with ill fitting lids?
With it on a smaller pot, the hit's not on the edge where it could be more easily absorbed, and you have uneven heating (the stuff outside the pot not heating up) which would cause additional stresses in the lid ... and with enough repeated strikes could cause it to fail.Can pot lids explode?
"It shattered into a million little pieces. Half of the glass fell into the pot with the lid and the pasta and the rest of the glass was all over the stove and all over the floor." Byrne says it was fortunate his wife had her back to the stove when the lid exploded.What can I use instead of a pot lid?
Need to cover a pot or pan fast but can't find the lid? Use a baking sheet or cookie pan (the \u201clid of choice\u201d in most restaurant kitchens).4 Types of Toxic Cookware to Avoid and 4 Safe Alternatives
More answers regarding is it bad to use lids that do not fit on pot?
Answer 2
Yes. The glass can shatter at temperatures above 200° C. The metal covering the diameter prevents this on a pot that fits in. Cheers!
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Andrea Piacquadio, Andres Ayrton, Thirdman, Andrea Piacquadio