The Ideal Pot Size For Cooking Fresh Lobster

When it comes to lobster, the three most popular cooking methods are boiling, steaming, or grilling. The latter method works great for lobster tails, while the former two are perfect for cooking whole lobsters. As anyone familiar with these crustaceans will know, the size of the pot matters greatly, regardless of whether the lobsters are submerged in boiling water or enveloped by steam. The ideal pot size for cooking lobster really boils down to how many you are making. 

The general rule of thumb is three quarts of water for every 1 1/2 pounds of lobster, which is the standard size. So if you're making a meal for two, an 8-quart pot is the perfect size. It leaves enough room for the lobsters to not be crowded, which allows for even cooking. If you're boiling, you're also not going to fill the pot completely. Three-quarters full is standard, as it is enough water to submerge the lobsters while also providing as little heat loss as possible. However, if you're cooking for a crowd, you are going to have to accommodate by leveling up your pot sizes. 

While standard to larger-sized kitchen pots may be good for a smaller amount of lobsters, anything more is going to require some additional space in order to cook properly. For three or four lobsters, use a 16-quart pot. If you're serving four people, that's a lobster apiece. You could also use two 8-quart pots and cook the lobsters in two separate batches, but there is something to be said for the convenience of a single, large pot. 

Anything more than four lobsters is going to require a pot that is 20 quarts and over, which will hold six lobsters comfortably. Bear in mind however that these pots can be ridiculously heavy when filled with water. If you plan on throwing a lobster boil and intend to have at least one lobster for every guest, you are going to need to take things outside. 

These enormous outdoor pots are typically between 60 to 100 quarts, perfect for a bigger crowd. However, these pots require their own outdoor propane burner, as they are far too large to heat on the stove. They can hold between 20 to 30 lobsters depending on the size, which is more than enough to feed a large group and leave all your guests satisfied.