How to Unstick Two Cooking Bowls

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Nothing is more annoying than when two cooking bowls are stuck together. To loosen the bowls, place the bottom one in hot water and fill the top one with ice. The bowls will loosen and you will be able to easily unstick them. If that doesn’t work, apply a bit of oil to the inner rim of the bottom cooking bowl. The oil will help you slide the two cooking bowls apart.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using Cooking Oil

1
Pour a bit of oil into the seal between the bowls. Dampen a paper towel with a bit of cooking oil. Wipe the point of contact between the top and bottom bowls. Carefully pull or twist the stuck cooking bowls apart.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- You could use olive oil, vegetable oil, or any other cooking oil to unstick the cooking bowls.
2
Spray the point of contact between the two bowls. If you don’t have any liquid cooking oil on hand, or if you’ve found that the oil is ineffective, you could use an oil-based spray. Just spray the point of contact between the two bowls with a light coating of cooking spray.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Carefully pull or twist the cooking bowls apart.
Advertisement
3
Wait for the oil to trickle between the bowls. Whether you’ve used an oil spray or liquid cooking oil, sometimes the oil won’t be effective immediately. If, after pulling or twisting the bowls apart, they are still stuck, wait about 20-30 seconds. This will give the oil time to work its way between the two cooking bowls that are stuck together.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- If necessary, apply or spray another coat of cooking oil to loosen them.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using Hot Water and Ice

1
Fill your sink with hot water. Place the stopper in the bottom of the sink. Sit your stuck pots in the sink. Turn the hot water faucet on. Wait for the sink to fill and do not let any water get in the upper pot.^{[4]
X
Research source}
2
Place a handful of ice cubes in the upper pot. Wait five to 10 minutes. The difference in temperature will cause the top pot to contract in size and the bottom pot to enlarge slightly in size, thereby making it easier for you to unstick them.^{[5]
X
Research source}
3
Twist the pots in opposite directions. For instance, you could choose to twist the bottom pot counterclockwise while twisting the top pot clockwise, or vice versa. Don a pair of rubber dishwashing gloves in order to improve your grip.^{[6]
X
Research source}

Community Q&A

Question

I am trying to separate two smaller Pyrex bowls and tried ice but it did not work. What should I do?

Community Answer

Use any kind of oil or butter. if it's butter, heat it up in the microwave. Once you get the bowls apart, wash them.
Question

I have a glass bowl stuck in a stainless steel pan. How do I get them unstuck?

Community Answer

Put the pan in hot water and fill the bowl with cold water. The metal should expand enough for you to get the bowl out.
Question

How do I separate two stainless steel bowls stuck together?

Community Answer

First, soak the outer bowl in hot water, so that it expands. If it does not work, try putting the rim of the inner bowl in cold water so it contracts.