Final answer:
To decrease heat transfer in a metal pot, one should insulate the pot. Insulation, due to its low thermal conductivity compared to metal, will slow down the transfer of heat energy.
Step-by-step explanation:
To reduce heat transfer in a metal pot, the action that can be taken is insulating the pot. Insulation materials are poor conductors of thermal energy, unlike metals, which are typically good conductors. A thicker pot also reduces the rate of heat transfer because the thicker material takes more time to transfer the same amount of heat, according to the model of conduction.
Insulating a pot can be achieved by using materials that have low thermal conductivity. Materials such as ceramic or certain polymers are often used for insulation because of their poor heat conduction properties. On the contrary, actions such as increasing the flame intensity, using a thinner pot, or adding a metal conductor to the pot would all increase heat transfer.