I need some help here! I was cooking dinner and used the wrong lid on my pan, which caused it to seal hermetically once it cooled down. Now, I have this smaller lid stuck on a larger pan, and I'm worried about the pressure buildup. I thought about heating the pan to expand it while cooling the lid with ice, but I think it just made things worse since steam is escaping but no air can get in. Drilling might be an option, but my drill is struggling with the cast aluminum. Is there any innovative method to remove this stuck lid?
3 Answers
You could also try the freezer method! The aluminum will shrink faster than the cast iron. If you want to go all-in, heat the rim with a propane torch after that—it could create enough of a difference for it to pop off. But seriously, keep an eye on it to prevent any disasters!
You might want to try hitting the edge of the aluminum lid with a hammer—it can flex just enough to help release the pressure. Just be cautious, and maybe put something soft underneath to absorb the shock. If that doesn’t work, twisting while pulling could help too!
I like the hammer idea! It's like the classic IT solution: just give it a good whack! But really, just remember to protect your hands and be careful with your pan.
First off, definitely don't heat that pan while it's sealed! You need to let it cool completely, then consider using a flathead screwdriver to gently pry it off. If that feels risky, just let it chill out for a while—aluminum and cast iron cool at different rates and that might do the trick. Worst case, put the whole setup in the fridge, not the hot pan obviously, but when it's cool enough! Good luck!
Exactly, just let it cool! But if you need to speed things up, chilling it in the fridge can help, just avoid the melting pan. Hopefully, it all works out without too much damage!
That's a solid plan! Just make sure to chill it well before heating; if done right, it should loosen up without too much hassle.