This guide will not teach you how to eat lobster per se, but will show you the best lobster tools and a few tricks to make your lobster experience a little easier. The truth is, there is nothing graceful about cracking into and eating lobster. Do you have the right lobster cooking equipment? What’s in Your Lobster Tool Box?
You don’t need expensive specialty tools to crack a Maine lobster like a pro. Most of what you need is already in your kitchen drawer.
The Truth About Lobster Tools
Fancy lobster crackers and specialty picks are nice to have, but not necessary. Maine lobstermen have been cracking lobsters with basic household items for generations—and with the right approach, you can crack lobsters like a pro without breaking the bank.
For complete step-by-step instructions on the entire lobster cooking process, check out our comprehensive lobster cooking guide.
Quick Start: What You Actually Need
- Large pot (any soup/pasta pot works)
- Kitchen tongs
- Chef’s knife or butter knife
- Kitchen scissors
- Nutcracker (yes, the one for walnuts)
- Fork (cocktail fork is perfect)
- Paper towels
- Large bowl
Total investment needed: $0–15 (if you need to buy a nutcracker)
Essential Cooking Equipment
What Size Lobster Pot Do I Need?
What size pot for a lobster? As big as you can get it. The key to perfectly cooked lobster is avoiding crowding in the pot, which allows for even heat circulation around each lobster.
Lobster Pot Size Chart: How Many Lobsters Fit
This is a general guideline; pot and lobster size can vary.
- 4-quart pot: Perfect for 1-2 small lobsters (1-1¼ pounds each)
- 8-quart pot: Ideal for 2-3 medium lobsters
- 16-quart pot: Great for 3-4 lobsters
- 20-quart stockpot: Handles 6-8 lobsters weighing 1¼ pounds each
Rule of thumb: The pot should be at least two-thirds full of water after you add the lobsters to ensure they’re fully submerged.
Don’t have a large enough pot? Cook lobsters in batches or use multiple pots with the same amount of water in each for consistent cooking times. For precise timing based on your lobster’s weight, check out our complete lobster cooking times by weight guide.
Do You Need a Special Lobster Pot?
Do I need a special lobster pot? No.
Any Large Stockpot Works for Cooking Lobster:
- A regular stockpot, pasta pot, or soup pot works perfectly
- You’re paying extra for looks, not cooking performance
- Your existing kitchen pot is probably fine
When to Buy a Specialized Lobster Pot:
- You cook lobster frequently (monthly or more)
- You want the convenience of a steamer insert for both boiling and steaming
- You regularly cook for large groups (6+ people)
Ready to start cooking? Learn the detailed techniques in our step-by-step guide to steaming lobster or complete instructions for boiling lobster.
Kitchen Tongs: Your Safety Essential
Removing cooked lobster from the pot is trickier than it seems. The lobsters gain water weight and are steaming hot. Use tongs to carefully clasp the lobster at the center of the body or carapace and pull them out of the pot. Hold the pot over the sink to drain off excess water, then use a kitchen towel to transport it to a large bowl.
Large Bowl: For Cooling and Shell Collection
After removing lobsters with tongs, place them in a large bowl to cool before handling. To stop the cooking process, submerge lobsters in a bowl filled with cold water and ice cubes, or rinse them with cold water in a colander.
The bowl serves double duty: it catches the water when you twist off the tail from the body and becomes a receptacle for discarded shells.
Essential Cracking Tools
The Secret Weapon: Your Regular Nutcracker
Your walnut nutcracker is perfect for lobster claws. Seriously. Most Maine families use regular hinged nutcrackers—the kind your grandfather used for walnuts. They work just as well as expensive lobster crackers and cost a fraction of the price.
The difficulty depends on whether you’re dealing with hard-shell or soft-shell lobsters. Learn more about the differences between hard shell vs. soft shell lobsters and which tools work best for each type.
Chef’s Knife: The Multi-Tool
Every kitchen has one, and chef’s knives are incredibly versatile for lobster prep:
For killing lobster humanely: Take the tip just behind the head and drive the knife through, or split the whole back side, going through the tail. (Tip: Numb the lobster in the freezer for a few minutes first if you’re squeamish.)
For cutting tails: Place the tail membrane-side down on a cutting board. Cut lengthwise with the chef’s knife to easily access the meat.
For cracking claws: Use the back (dull) side to give claws a good whack. When the knife penetrates the shell, twist 90 degrees to crack it open. Cover with a kitchen towel to avoid flying shell pieces.
Pro tip: A butter knife works fine for soft-shell lobsters. For complete doneness testing techniques beyond visual cues, see our guide on how to tell when lobster is perfectly done.
Kitchen Scissors: The Underrated Champion
Kitchen shears might be the most underrated lobster tool. They’re perfect for:
- Cutting rubber bands off claws before cooking
- Accessing tail meat by cutting under the membrane
- Extracting knuckle meat from tight spots
- Cutting meat into chunks for lobster rolls
Better than expensive “lobster shears” and you probably already own them.
Surprising Household Tools That Work
Rolling Pin: For Stubborn Legs
Use it like a tiny rolling pin to push meat out of lobster legs. Roll along the leg as if you’re making dough. No rolling pin? A wine bottle works just as well.
Alternative method: Simply suck the meat out like a straw.
Other Household Heroes
Hammer: For super hard-shell winter lobsters that resist everything else. Wrap the lobster in a dish towel and gently tap. Sounds crazy, but it works!
Can opener: The pointed end works great for prying open shell cracks. Clean needle-nose pliers: Perfect for stubborn shell pieces that won’t budge.
Picking and Serving Tools
Seafood Forks and Picks
A cocktail fork works perfectly for picking meat from tight spots like knuckles. The knuckle meat is worth the effort—many consider it the sweetest part of the lobster.
Pro trick: Use the back end of a fork or spoon to pop meat out of shells.Best use: Dipping freshly picked meat in hot butter.
Setup and Cleanup Essentials
Smart Prep Setup
Cutting board and shallow pan: Place your cutting board on top of a shallow cooking pan to catch the salty lobster juices that drip everywhere.
Paper towels: Buy extra. Lobster is messy, and you’ll go through more than you think.
Kitchen towels: Essential for grip, moving hot pots, and protecting yourself from shell fragments.
Pro Cleanup Tips
- Newspaper on the table (classic Maine trick)
- Wet towel nearby for sticky fingers
- Cold water for final hand cleanup
- Small bowl for melted butter
Special Considerations for Lobster Tails
Maine lobster tails need cutting tools, not cracking tools. For detailed instructions on butterflying, piggybacking, and other presentation techniques, see our complete guide to cutting lobster tails.
Essential for tails:
- Kitchen scissors (most important tool)
- Sharp knife for splitting the shell
- Cutting board for stability
Household alternatives:
- Poultry shears work great
- Utility knife for careful cutting
- Even nail scissors work for small tails
- When to Upgrade Your Lobster Tools
- Stick with Household Items When:
- You eat lobster a few times per year
- You’re just trying lobster for the first time
- You have soft-shell lobsters (easier to crack)
- You’re on a budget
- Consider Buying Specialized Tools When:
- You eat lobster monthly or more
- You frequently entertain with lobster
- You regularly get hard-shell lobsters
- You want faster, cleaner results
- Budget Upgrade Path:
- $15: Buy decent lobster crackers (still use other household tools)
- $30: Add seafood picks and kitchen shears
- $50+: Complete “fancy” set only if you’re a serious lobster enthusiast
Smart Spending on Lobster Equipment
You don’t need expensive tools to enjoy lobster. A basic nutcracker and a small fork are all you need. Instead, focus your budget on getting the highest quality fresh lobster you can find.
Setting Up for Success: Formal vs. Casual
Casual Lobster Gatherings
Most lobster events are informal gatherings among friends and family, so making a mess is part of the fun. Place shared tools in the center of the table and embrace the chaos.
Formal Lobster Dinners
Presentation matters at formal events. Pre-crack the lobsters or remove the meat entirely so guests can enjoy lobster with minimal work and mess. Use:
- Chardonnay glasses instead of beer bottles
- Cotton gingham napkins instead of plastic bibs
- Pre-picked meat for elegant presentation
Pro tip: According to Boston seafood chef Jasper White, lobster bibs “do little more than funnel juices straight to your lap.” Cotton napkins work better and look classier.
Smart Spending on Lobster Cooking Equipment
You don’t need expensive tools to enjoy lobster. A basic nutcracker and a small fork are all you need. Instead, focus your budget on getting the highest quality fresh lobster you can find.
Get Cracking at your Lobster Party
Getting Started
There’s no need to be intimidated by breaking down a cooked lobster, especially soft-shell summer lobsters. With soft shells, you can get by with just your bare hands and paper towels. For rock-hard winter lobsters, you’ll want a few simple tools—but check your kitchen drawers first before buying anything new.
The bottom line: Great lobster is about the quality of the lobster, not the fanciness of your tools. Once you’ve got your lobster cooked and ready, learn the proper techniques in our complete guide to eating lobster for the full Maine experience.
Lobster Tools FAQS
How many lobsters can I cook in an 8-quart pot?
An 8-quart pot comfortably fits 2-3 medium lobsters (1-1¼ pounds each).
Can I use a regular stockpot for lobster?
Absolutely! Any large stockpot, pasta pot, or soup pot works perfectly for cooking lobster.
What’s the minimum pot size for cooking lobster?
A 4-quart pot is the minimum for 1-2 small lobsters, but bigger is always better.
Do I need a steamer basket for lobster?
Not required, but helpful. You can steam lobster with just 2 inches of water in any large pot.
Can I use kitchen scissors to cut lobster tails?
Kitchen scissors are actually the most important tool for lobster tails. They’re perfect for cutting under the membrane to access meat easily. Regular kitchen shears work better than expensive specialty tools – even poultry shears or nail scissors work for smaller tails.
How do you crack really hard winter lobster shells?
For rock-hard winter lobsters that resist regular tools, try these household alternatives: wrap the lobster in a dish towel and gently tap with a hammer, use the pointed end of a can opener to pry shell cracks, or employ clean needle-nose pliers for stubborn pieces.
What’s the easiest way to get meat out of lobster legs?
Use a rolling pin, like a tiny rolling pin, to roll it along the leg to push the meat out. No rolling pin? A wine bottle works perfectly. Alternative method: simply suck the meat out like drinking through a straw.
Do lobster bibs actually work?
According to Boston seafood chef Jasper White, lobster bibs “do little more than funnel juices straight to your lap.” Cotton napkins work better for protection and look more elegant at formal dinners.
When should I buy specialty lobster tools?
Stick with household items if you eat lobster occasionally, have soft-shell lobsters, or are on a budget. Consider upgrading only if you eat lobster monthly, frequently entertain, regularly get hard-shell lobsters, or want faster, cleaner results.
How much should I spend on lobster tools?
Focus your budget on high-quality fresh lobster, not expensive tools. If upgrading gradually: $15 for decent crackers, $30 to add picks and shears, $50+ for a complete set, only if you’re a serious enthusiast.
Great tips!
Awesome tips 😀