Worst Cookware

[--Tom--]

A question for you pan experts, weve got a set of monogrammed Anthony Worrel-Thompson saucepans,,very posh,,,and very nice stainless and copper bottomed pots they are too, however we once had a set of cheap pans that had glass lids with a little hole to vent the steam which seemed to work really well when simmering, Ive been thinking of drilling a hole in the posh stainless lids,,any reason not to, and how big a hole? And a final thought, the glass lids had a little bush in the hole,,,decorative or to create a “drip”??
Steve.

My stainless lids don’t have holes and work well at keeping the steam in. Often beneficial. If I want to let steam out I just don’t put the lid fully on.

If you really feel the need for a hole 4mm drill, make sure it’s sharp, centre punch first to reduce skating, high pressure, and a bit of cutting oil. Make sure you have a well fitting backer block (curved lid on a flat block isn’t ideal). Once drilled deburr well to avoid any sharp bits that’ll snag tea towels or fingers.

 

[--Tom--]

I'm presuming we're talking of the tiny hole with the metal surround, not the lipping.

Yep, I was thinking the hole has fragile edges though. I’ve been to plenty of houses where washing up consists of stuff chucked in the bowl unceremoniously. Metal cutlery and all. Not unforeseeable that those edges could get knocked. The same houses also tend to have chipped glasses.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Yes, but what's the purpose of the metal bit? The holes are only c.3mm? I can see the point of a vent, often the pans they fit don't have a pouring lip, but why go to the bother/expense of the the metal bit?

I have a S/S pan which I use regularly, I need to drill the handle half way down as it holds water in the dishwasher and drives me nuts.
Thin s/s is brilliant stuff for snapping cobalt bits. Damhikt.

The knife is beautiful, btw.

 

[Stevekane]

My personal view is that a simple hole in a glass lid would look tatty, and the grommit is there just to finish it off, it might also help as a drip, but maybe irrelivent given the lid fitting inside the pot. My thoughts about our present pans were that they might benefjt from a vent, the old saucepans rarely boiled over whereas the new ones need to have the lids balanced on the edge to prevent boiling over when simmering,,,and they often fall back into the closed off position and it all boils over,,,whats occured to me however is that a hole in the new lids might result in a puddle of water sitting around the edge of the lid where because of the fitting, it has no way of draining back into the pot,,,,so Im undecided..
Steve.