Pour 2 inches of seawater (or salted water - add 2 tablespoons of salt for each quart of water) into a pot large enough to comfortably hold the lobsters. Some cooks also place a steaming rack large enough to hold the lobsters above the water, in the bottom. Bring water to a rolling boil over high heat. Place lobsters in the pot, cover tightly, return to a boil as quickly as possible and start counting the time.

Steam a lobster for 13 minutes per pound, for the first pound. Add three minutes per pound for each additional pound thereafter. For example, a 2 pound lobster should steam for 16 minutes and a 1 1/2 pound lobster should steam for 14 1/2 minutes.