The lid will open to 7.25" from the rim where it sits in the closed position. When it is put into the straight up position it is 7.25" tall.. It will also tilt back a little further past that point and be angled slightly tilting towards the back. I have to pull my brewing system out from under my counters also. It's not a big hassle at all. I love this system as I bought another one and still use the older one for larger gatherings also.