Lobsters have been fished commerciallyin Maine since the mid 1800s. In the past 40 years, cooked lobster has become a gourmet delicacy. Its sweet tender meat has excited connoisseurs around the world. And there is nothing like the beautiful, bright red color of a freshly cooked lobster. Lots of people are scared of live lobster. In this detailed lobster cooking guide, we’ll show you the best ways to cook whole live lobsters at home.
Cooking lobster at home can seem intimidating, but it’s easier than you think with the right tools and techniques. One of the most important decisions is what type of pot to use when boiling or steaming lobster. The pot size and material impact cooking time, flavor, and how evenly the lobster cooks.
In this detailed guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about picking the perfect pot for cooking whole live lobsters, lobster tails, or frozen lobster meat We’ll also share pro tips for getting the most out of your lobster pot
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Lobster Pot
Size
The size of the pot is crucial for even cooking. You need a pot big enough to allow water to circulate freely around the lobsters. If the pot is too small, the lobsters will be crowded and won’t cook evenly.
We recommend a large stock pot or pasta pot at least 12 quarts for up to two 1-1.5 pound lobsters. Go bigger if cooking more lobsters. An ideal lobster pot is around 20 quarts and can fit 4-6 average sized lobsters.
Material
Stainless steel and aluminum pots conduct heat efficiently for quick, even cooking. Enameled cast iron pots like Le Creuset work well too.
Nonstick pots are not ideal as the coating can degrade over high heat and potentially leach chemicals into food. Avoid uncoated cast iron pots which can impart a metallic flavor.
Thinner metal pots heat up rapidly, while heavier material like cast iron holds heat consistently once hot Both types work well, so choose based on your budget and cooking preferences
Shape
A tall, narrow pot concentrates heat and water for faster boiling. A wide, shallow pot allows more evaporation so you’ll need to add more water. Choose based on your stovetop size.
Pro Tips for the Best Lobster Pot
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Look for a pot with straight sides to maximize the cooking area. Curved sides reduce space.
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A lid is a must to trap heat and moisture for steaming.
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Handles should be sturdy enough to safely lift a heavy, boiling pot. Longer handles provide better leverage.
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Match the pot size to your stovetop burner for efficient heating.
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Consider pots with pour spouts to drain away hot water easily after cooking.
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Buy a separate lobster pot if you want to avoid transferring any residual flavors to other dishes.
Types of Pots That Work Well for Cooking Lobster
Stock Pots
A stock pot is ideal for boiling multiple lobsters. Stainless steel and aluminum stock pots allow quick heating. Look for one with a thick, encapsulated base to prevent scorching. A wide diameter stock pot with tall, straight sides provides ample room.
A 12-20 quart stock pot is sufficient for cooking 2-6 lobsters depending on their size. Easy pouring riveted handles help avoid accidents when draining. If your pot doesn’t come with a steamer basket, we recommend buying one to keep lobsters off direct heat.
Pasta Pots
Large pasta pots around 16-20 quarts work perfectly for cooking lobster. The tall narrow shape brings water to a rapid boil quickly. Stainless steel transfers heat efficiently for fast, even cooking.
Some pasta pots come with inserts to cook pasta and lobster separately. Others have pour spouts for easy draining. Look for an encapsulated aluminum base for even heat distribution and to prevent scorching.
Canners
A lobster canner or seafood cooker is essentially an extra large stock pot ranging from 20-80 quarts. The huge capacity allows cooking 8 or more lobsters at once. Stainless steel offers durability in a commercial grade canner.
Canners have vertical ridges to keep a steamer basket elevated above the boiling water. Helper handles provide a secure grip. A drain spigot allows easily draining without lifting.
Steamers
Two-part steamers with a base pot and steam tray are perfect for steaming lobsters. The base typically has a wide, shallow shape to maximize steam production from a large surface area.
Steamers often have vents in the lid to allow regulating steam release. The tray keeps lobsters above the boiling water so they cook gently in steam. Stainless steel and aluminum steamers heat rapidly for quick cooking.
Multi-Pots
All-in-one multi-cookers with different inserts work well for steaming and boiling lobster. Choose a design with a divider to cook lobster separately from corn, potatoes etc.
The divided pots allow cooking lobster claws, tails, and bodies at different times so everything finishes together. Multi-pots with strainer inserts simplify draining.
Tips for Cooking Lobster in Different Pot Types
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In stock pots, use a steamer basket to keep lobsters from scorching on the bottom. Add water to fill below the basket.
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For pasta pots, insert a steamer tray or flip a metal colander upside down. Fill with water up to the tray level.
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In lobster boilers, fill water 2-3 inches above the vertical ridges. No basket needed.
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For steamers, fill the base just below the tray. Keep the lid on for trapped steam.
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In multi-cookers, put lobster bodies or tails in one side, claws in the other. Add about 1 inch water.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lobster Pots
What kind of metal should a lobster pot be?
The best lobster pots are stainless steel or aluminum for even heat distribution. Enameled cast iron also works well. Avoid uncoated iron and nonstick coatings.
How big of a pot do you need per lobster?
Aim for 4-6 quarts of space per average sized 1-1.5 pound lobster. A 12-15 quart pot fits 2 lobsters, while a 20+ quart pot holds 4-6. Size up for larger lobsters.
Do you put water in a lobster steamer?
Yes, lobster steamers require water in the base pot below the steaming tray. Fill water just below the tray. The boiling water produces steam to gently cook the lobsters.
Should lobster pots have a lid?
Absolutely. A tight fitting lid is crucial for trapping steam when steaming lobsters. It also helps bring water to a rapid boil faster when boiling lobsters.
Can you use a crab pot to cook lobster?
You can, but a crab pot may be smaller than ideal if cooking large lobsters. Make sure there is ample room for the lobsters to simmer freely. Otherwise, a stainless steel crab pot will work.
What can I use if I don’t have a lobster pot?
In a pinch, you can use a large soup pot, pasta pot, or stock pot to boil or steam lobster. A tamale steamer, couscous cooker, or shrimp boiler also works. Avoid nonstick and cast iron.
Can I cook lobster tails in a pot?
You sure can. Use a 1-2 quart saucepan to boil or steam 4-6 lobster tails for 5-7 minutes. Make sure lobster tails are covered by at least 1 inch water the entire time.
Get Cracking with the Perfect Lobster Pot
With the right lobster pot, you can cook lobsters like a pro. Look for a large, stainless steel pot with plenty of room for the lobsters to swim freely. Use a steamer basket or tray for the tenderest meat. Once you’ve mastered steaming and boiling in your lobster pot, try adding regional twists like throwing in fresh corn or kelp. Get creative with dipping sauces like browned butter, mustard sauce, orzeladkowa lemon-horseradish. The pot you pick can take your lobster to the next level!
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What’s the Best Way to Cook Live Lobster?
You’ve come this far. It’s true that you caught the best Maine lobster in the sea, but you ruined it by cooking it wrong! We’ll show you how to make sure your prized catch is cooked just right.
Perfectly cooked lobster is surely one of life’s simplest — and most delicious — pleasures. It’s also very easy to cook live Maine lobsters. The two most common ways are to steam them or boil them.
What Size Lobster Pot Should I Use?
How big of a lobster pot do you need? The answer is: BIG.
Whether you steam or boil, pick a pot with lots of room. If you put too many lobsters in the pot, the heat won’t circulate evenly around them. For even cooking, you want the heat to move around the lobsters.
If you don’t have a big pot, you should cook the lobsters in groups or in more than one pot. The lobsters should cook around the same time if you use the same amount of water in all of them. A 4-5 quart soup or pasta pot will work well for a couple of small lobsters. A 19-quart pot will cook about 5 to 6 1- 1/4 lb. live lobsters. Because the water will boil faster in a lighter gauge metal pot, the pot doesn’t have to be very strong.
Should you steam or boil your lobster? It can be messy to take crustaceans out of a big pot of boiling water. With steaming there is less chance of a boil over. Both of these traditional cooking methods have both pros and cons described below.
Not sure what size lobster to order? Read our tips on how to choose the best lobster to cook at home.
