05.20.09

How To Open a Difficult Jar

Posted in How To, housecleaning tips tagged , , at 6:12 pm by cleaningproz

Over the years I’ve used many methods for opening a jar.  The best one is give it to my big strong husband. But since he’s not always around the kitchen when I need him–”Hey, you got any jars that need opening?”–I’ve sometimes had to rely on other means.

My original methods were to run the lid (not the jar!) under hot water or hit the lid all the way around with something heavy like the handle of a knife. These work okay for some, not all.

Next came the bang it on the concrete method.  Hold the jar firmly and hit it straight down with a good Thwack! This has always worked for any kind of lid, but does have it’s drawbacks especially if it’s cold outside. I guess you could bang it on the kitchen counter or floor, but I never wanted to take a chance.

You can also don a pair of rubber gloves for increased traction. And that works pretty well if it’s a regular screw top, like a jar of mayonaisse.

But the tops that give most of us problems are the vacuum sealed tops.

So here’s my new cheesy easy method: just take an ordinary spoon, turned face up, and place it under the lid. Apply a little bit of downward pressure in one or several places until you hear a little pop sound.  And Voila! it opens with ease. 

If this is a jar that’s already been opened, but it’s stuck because there’s food on the inside of the lid, just stick it lid-down in some very hot water  for 5-10 minutes and it should open easily.  Be sure to wipe the rim of the jar after it’s open so it doesn’t happen again. (Okay, I guess that’s pretty obvious)!

So, go find a jar and try one of these methods.  If you have another method, please share it!!