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How to stop a pot boiling over: Try this simple trick

It's a surprisingly easy solution.

A watched pot never boils, but as soon as you turn your back, the whole thing overflows. Luckily, there’s a surprisingly simple trick to prevent this!

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While we don’t recommend leaving a boiling pot unattended, if you have to walk away, there’s a very easy way to stop a pot from boiling over.

How do you keep pots from boiling over?

To prevent pots from boiling over, reduce the heat once the liquid reaches a boil, ensure there’s enough room in the pot for the contents to expand, and stir the contents occasionally to break up bubbles. 

Does a wooden spoon stop a pot from boiling over?

Additionally, you can put a wooden spoon over the pot to stop it from boiling over. 

The spoon breaks the surface tension of the bubbles, causing them to burst and preventing them from spilling over the edge.

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(Credit: Getty)

What causes pots to boil over?

Pots boil over when the liquid inside forms bubbles rapidly, creating foam that rises and overflows. This often happens due to high heat, too much liquid in the pot, starchy foods like pasta or rice that create foam, and the lack of stirring, which allows bubbles to accumulate.

What tool stops a pot from boiling over?

A spill stopper lid or boil-over preventer is a tool specifically designed to prevent pots from boiling over. These silicone lids have a vented design that allows steam to escape without letting the liquid spill over.

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