Q: Why won’t my popovers pop over?

A: Unlike baked goods made with leavening agents such as yeast, popovers get their impressive height from steam. Give the requisite heat some help: Make the batter with room-temperature ingredients, and then pour it into a preheated popover pan (most recipes call for 425 degrees to 475 degrees), which has deep, narrow cups — these channel the steam upward.

As tempted as you may be to take a peek at the popovers as they cook, don’t open the oven door. Use the oven light to see the action.

Popovers deflate as they cool, so serve them straight from the oven. If that’s not an option, slit the top of each one to keep it from becoming mushy; then remove it from the pan.

Q: How should I store mugs and glasses: rims up or down?

A: In most cases, the answer is right side up. “The rim is the weakest part of a glass,” says Jorge Perez, national spokesman for Waterford, Wedgwood, and Royal Doulton tableware. And that thin edge can chip if set against a hard surface. It’s also easier to reach for upright vessels — no flipping required. And they will look nicer when displayed in glass-front cabinets. But there are some instances in which bottoms up might be your best bet. You may want to go this route if you have open shelving, where there’s more dust. And inverting pieces you don’t use often will keep them clean.

No matter what direction your drinking vessels face, cover shelves with nonskid shelf liner for additional protection. Arrange vessels one-half to one inch apart, so you’ll be less likely to knock them into one another in the cabinet. Always avoid nesting (stacking glasses one inside another), which can make them get stuck — especially full-lead crystal; the material expands and contracts slightly with temperature changes.

Space saver: If you lack the space to store glasses without nesting them, try one of our readers’ favorite organizing tips: Take a serving tray that fits the cabinet’s depth. Cut a piece of nonskid shelf liner to fit the tray. Place large glasses upside down on the shelf, spacing them evenly. Set the lined tray on top, and arrange smaller glasses on the tray.

Q: I glued a broken cut-glass bowl back together, but the pieces dried slightly off. Is there a way to detach them and start over?

A: Many glues and epoxies dissolve in water if given enough time. Submerge the vessel in a bowl padded with a few folded dish towels (so that any pieces that might come loose will fall on a cushioned surface) and put it in an out-of-the-way spot, such as the basement. Check on it every few days to make sure it is still immersed and to see if the pieces have loosened. This may take a month or two.

If a gentle nudge will release the pieces, carefully pull them apart; use a firm toothbrush to scrub away residue.

If the soak in water wasn’t successful, try acetone. This solvent is very flammable, so pour it carefully into a container with a lid, and keep it far away from heat sources where it won’t be disturbed, such as a garage. Even with acetone, several months may pass before the pieces come apart.

Once the adhesive gives way, have a professional make a clean repair. To find one in the U.S., contact the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (conservation-us.org).