Boiling water is one of the most common – and frustrating – challenges in the kitchen. Whether it’s pasta, rice or milk, careless cooking can quickly cause the pot to boil over, leaving your stove covered in sticky deposits.

But while it may seem simple to keep an eye on the pot, a busy day or a moment of inattention can cause the boiling contents to spill over the edge.

Actually many times, it is a simple method that can prevent flooding on the stove in many cases: just a wooden spoon placed across the pan.

In principle, the spoon acts as a thermal barrier, instantly cooling the bubbles that reach the edge of the pot, causing them to burst and slide back into the pot. The insulating properties of the wood mean that the spoon absorbs some of the excess steam in the first few minutes, before it reaches a temperature where the effect diminishes.

However, the method should not be used alone. To minimize the risk of boiling over, it is recommended to use a pot that is sufficiently sized for the amount of liquid, and to regulate the heat to a moderate level so that the temperature does not rise unnecessarily quickly. The right combination of a suitable pot, the correct heat level and constant monitoring is the key to avoiding chaos on the stove.