Comments on: How to Open a Stuck Jar Lid

By: Houdini

Houdini — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:27:37 +0000

The hot water trick was the best tip but if the jar is really stuck with
sugery jam etc. this is the BEST method. Microwave an inch of water
in a cereal bowl till boiling. Put jar in water upside down. Let soak for
a couple of minutes then give jar to a four year old to open. The back
of a knife whack on the lid is a brutal and barbaric act, don’t do that.

By: ManInTheMaking

ManInTheMaking — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 03:24:33 +0000

Dude, this is a gold mine of sound advice. It’s very cool and refreshing to find a real MEN’s website. Thanks.

By: Jimmy The Man

Jimmy The Man — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 18:59:33 +0000

The easiest way is number 3; break the vacuum seal and not by banging it or tapping it or anything like that but simply what it says there…i just get a normal cuttlery knife, slide it between the rim of the lid and the jar and push the bottom of the knife in. The lid simply makes a POP and it comes open.

By: Anthony Day

Anthony Day — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:43:40 +0000

One of the things we all do when trying to get a lid off is hold our breath. Next time as you are trying to turn the lid exhale. You will be surpised what happens next.

By: Chieftain

Chieftain — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 17:44:21 +0000

Brute force works for me, every time. I do not understand why men have any difficulty opening jars with anything other than their bare hands. But then again, I’ve been a touch typist since I was thirteen, and I’m 46 now, and I’ve developed muscles on each of my knuckles from typing away at 140 wpm…

The science behind the hot-water trick is only partially right. Yes, you are expanding the metal on the lid when you run it under cold water. You are also expanding what little air remains in the jar’s “vacuum” (there is always some) and that, too, alleviates the vacuum seal. And finally the water lubricates the glass thread — all of which works together for men who need this trick to open jars.

By: Ewan

Ewan — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 18:12:52 +0000

I recently got very angry with a jar I was trying to open for my girlfriend. Nothing seemed to work, and I lost my manly calm and bashed the side of the lid hard on the worktop. I gave it another pull and to my surprise it just slipped off. Next time, I’ll give it a manly bash and hope the glass doesn’t break.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 19:37:06 +0000

Always open jars BEFORE placing them in the refrigerator. Makes them easier to open later.

By: TeeTee

TeeTee — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 02:04:26 +0000

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

They helped even a woman;).

By: trout ponds

trout ponds — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 00:30:02 +0000

I was aware of the tapping/pounding, hot water and traction techniques. While none of those worked, I tried the pry the lid to break the seal technique just now… POP! it’s open!

I wasn’t aware lids were so easy to pry open to break the seal. I used a pointy butter knfe because it was a DULL blade and a bit thicker than a regular dinner knife. The strength of the steel and the point really helped.

Now I am embarrassed that I used the brute force with help techniques all these years, when I should have employed a tiny bit of my professional science background… we live and learn.

Thanks all for the suggestions!

By: Richard

Richard — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 19:52:02 +0000

There are some small strap wrenches (mainly used for plumbing jobs) that are good for opening jars. Keep one in the junk drawer of your kitchen, it can be used for opening jars or pulling the “P” trap when the sink is clogged.

By: tudza

tudza — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 05:18:03 +0000

Haven’t met a jar yet that didn’t yield to the “pry the lid, release the seal” method. The only problem is that a bottle opener rarely fits the lids, so take that spoon you are wacking the lid with and use one end or the other to pry it a bit.

By: jurisnaturalist

jurisnaturalist — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 19:45:31 +0000

Mark, Thanks for the Chuck Norris version!

By: rob

rob — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 19:45:16 +0000

What’s important about the brute force method is to make sure you use the proper technique: instinctively grabbing and twisting at the wrist is going to offer you very little leverage for opening that jar. A much more effective technique is to use a firm grip, keep the wrist locked straight, and turn from the elbow. If this doesn’t work, blame the first person who tried for getting it all greasy, then proceed to employ a craftier method.

By: Su

Su — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:31:03 +0000

I tried everything written here to open a jam jar that had been closed for at least half a year.It was extra sticky cuz my husband made it at home so more sticky stuff under the lid from whe he poured it into the jars…But anyway, nothing worked until I tried the rubber band around the lid thing as Christina mentioned and boy does that work! It was so effortless and worked like a charm! I think that’s what I’m sticking to from now on…

By: Christina

Christina — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 18:42:55 +0000

The best way to open a jar is to use a wide rubber band, like the kind that come wrapped around bunches of broccoli. Simply place the rubber band around the lid, and it will provide all the traction you need. If your lid has a small diameter, wrap the band a few times.