cholent friday night

Question

k'vod horav: a few part question: a) is it permitted to lift cover of crockpot and replace it while crockpot is on the heating element? b) what is proper procedure for removing cholent from a crockpot friday night if one wants to keep the rest for shabbos day meal? (do you lift one side off the heating plate and take from there?, do you lift the whole pot off the fire and while person A holds it person B can scoop out and then pot is replaced on heating element?, can you lift the pot up and then place it on blech that is on the stove and then remove from it? take from pot directly?) i've heard all of these "options", are there sources for these what is the best way according to everybody?