Q&A for How to Open a Difficult Jar

Plastic jars usually have plastic screw-on caps. You can sometimes loosen these caps by running warm water over them, which can cause them to expand slightly. You can also try holding the jar upside down and pouring warm vinegar over it so it gets into the space between the lid and the top of the jar. This may help expand and lubricate the lid so it’s easier to get off.

First you’ll need to remove the screw band, the ring around the lid of the jar. You may be able to do this with a rubber jar grip, or tap the seal loose as you would with a regular vacuum sealed metal jar lid. Once the screw band is off, use the flat edge of a butter knife to pry up the flat cap on top of the jar.

If it's glass, you should be very, very careful not to let the hot water touch the cold glass. This could cause it to shatter. Avoid using direct heat on it for the same reason. Try a damp towel to grip the lid and turn. Most refrigerated jars have been opened already, and may be stuck because of dried food or condiments between the lid and the jar. Try using warm water, instead of hot to try to rehydrate the dried bits and make it easier to twist the lid.

Using a wet towel on the cap, hold the bottle from the bottom and twist open the lid.

You could use a special seal breaking tool, or drive a butter knife under the lid to break the seal. When using a knife, you should be very careful.

Try a universal oil filter wrench. It works quite well.

It shouldn’t have any negative effects, if you can get it open. If you can’t, try one of the methods on the article.

They shouldn’t be too much more difficult to open than regular jars. Just try one of the methods in the article.

If you can't use any of the methods in the article above, try tapping all the way around the edge of the lid against a hard surface. Do it gently if the jar is glass.