Keep a pot from boiling over with a wooden spoon

Lay a wooden spoon across the pot and the foam pops before it spills, which buys you time to turn down the heat.

KitchenTakes 5 secondsFree

Updated October 24, 2026

How to do it

0 of 3 steps done

Tap each step as you finish it.

1Lay a dry wooden spoon flat across the top of the pot.
2Watch the foam rise and pop when it touches the spoon.
3Turn the heat down a little when you get a chance. The spoon buys you time, it doesn't replace a lower flame.

Good to knowUse wood, not metal. A metal spoon gets too hot to touch.

Shake the cloves in a closed jar and the skins fall right off.

A quick rinse and a few minutes in the oven make it crusty and soft again.

Fresh eggs sink and lie flat. Older eggs stand up or float.