•A simplified 2D model of pool boiling in metal foams is constructed.•Forced convection promotes bubble departure at the bottom of metal foams.•Forced convection maintains a stable pressure drop and promotes fluid supply.•The heat transfer mechanism of pool boiling with forced convection is revealed. Forced convection boiling in metal foams may have a higher heat transfer performance than natural convection boiling, and the enhanced heat transfer mechanism should be revealed. In this study, the pool boiling of methanol in metal foams (thickness, 2 mm; pore density, 30 PPI; porosity, 95 %) under forced convection conditions is simulated using the Couple Level Set and Volume of Fluid (CLSVOF) model coupled with the user defined function (UDF) of phase change model. The numerical model is used to analyze the effects of forced convection on pool boiling through the simulation of bubble behaviors, temperature and pressure fields. Moreover, experiments are conducted on the pool boiling with forced convection at flow rates of 30, 40, and 50 mL min−1, and the numerical results are validated with experimental results. The results demonstrate that the flushing rate of the bottom bubble increases by 1.5 times, resulting in a 23 % increase in the maximum heat transfer coefficient (HTC). It is worth noting that an increase in forced convection flow rate does not introduce significant pressure drop increases (1–4 Pa) and fluctuations (10–70 Pa). The numerical analysis and experimental validation have shown that forced convection during pool boiling can maintain stable pressure drop and promote working fluid supply and bubble departure for enhancing heat transfer. This study provides an understanding of pool boiling with forced convection and serves as a valuable reference for designing efficient heat exchange systems with stable pressure drop. Pool boiling with forced convection is safe and stable and gives enhanced boiling heat transfer by improved bottom bubble flushing and working fluid supply. Display omitted