Last week we introduced you to Lid Sid, the cute little pot prop used to let off steam. A few of you commented how you'd get it in a heartbeat if it weren't $14. Well, say hello to the Little Pot Critters!

These birchwood cut-outs come in four animal shapes: a moose, hedgehog, owl or mouse. And they come in at just $7! That's what we call stocking stuffer material.
Buy It! Little Pot Guard Critters, $7 at Solutions
Related: Lid Sid: A Cute Way to Blow Off Steam
(Images: as linked)
Martha Concrete Lam...

actually, they are essentially the same price. Lid Sid comes in a pack of two, the critters are sold one by one.
I like them both though!
Being an amateur cook, I'm a little confused as to why you would want to cover with a lid and open it. I would have thought that the lid was precisely to keep the steam in.
I would appreciate your comments.
These are adorable. However, talk about a unitasker. And moreover, when are you going to use them? If it comes down to shifting the pot cover a few inches off the pot so some steam escapes vs rummaging through a drawer for 2 minutes, i'm going with the askew lid every time.
How did I get along without one of these for all these years? By doing exactly what mh330 does, leaving the lid slightly ajar. I have enough useless gadgets gathering dust in my drawers anyway.
elalexid, this is a good way to regulate how fast something is boiling--with the lid completely on, it boils too rapidly; completely off and there's too much evaporation.
@elalexid - Like catherineap said, you want to regulate boiling. This is the best way to maintain consistent temperature but not risk boilovers. My problem with keeping lids ajar is that mine don't stay ajar very well. They slide back onto the pot or threaten to fall off the pot entirely. These are definitely unitaskers, but they're so small it probably isn't a big deal.
I like the moose! :D
Why not just use a chopstick to prop up the lid? A pack of basic bamboo chopsticks costs well less than the $7 for these animal pot guards. You can even use the cheapy chopsticks you get with a take out order.
It's cute and cheery. I'm a sucker for reindeer and moose. A novelty but a cute one anyway. A bit too much harm to birches though and wouldn't the steam warp the wood though?
I DIY'd these by bending old spoons to do the same thing.
Or get a fancier pot that has a steam release on the lid.
Unitasker, yes. Plus, my first thought was that they are the kind of thing that gets lost in your drawers so you can never find it when you need it.
However, they are so cute and would make a lovely small gift - for a hostess or an office drawing. Add some pretty dishtowels pr potholders, a bamboo spoon or bright colored scraper etc. And they are quite decorative - hang them near the stove so you could find it, and see it.
So, I've just talked myself into ordering a couple as little gifts for my neighbors.