When the pot lid won't open. How to open it well. When you're cooking and the pot lid won't open, it can be quite frustrating. However, there are several tricks you can try to open it up. First, try running the lid under hot water. The heat can cause the metal to expand and loosen the seal. You can also try using a towel or rubber glove to grip the lid and twist it open. This will give you a bet..