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Quick and easy tricks to loosen a stubborn jar lid
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A tight jar is a classic kitchen snafu, but thankfully a stuck or sealed lid is easily thwarted by some simple kitchen hacks. To start, get a grip on that lid with a rubber pot holder or glove to help you force it open. And if that doesn’t work, we’ve got plenty more handy and straightforward methods for coaxing open a stubborn jar below. Let’s liberate your canned goods together!
Things You Should Know
- Get a better grip on the lid by using a rubber glove, oven mitt, or a dish towel to provide some traction. Or, wrap a rubber band or cling wrap around the lid.
- Try tapping a spoon around the circumference of the lid to dislodge any dried food and loosen the seal before unscrewing it.
- Or, hold the lid under hot, running water for 1 minute before unscrewing it to dissolve any dried food in the seal and expand the metal lid slightly.
Steps
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QuestionHow do you loosen a tight plastic lid?This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.wikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerRunning hot water over the lid may help loosen it. If possible, use a rubber jar grip or dishwashing glove to help create more friction when you twist the cap off. If that doesn’t work, you might be able to get the lid off using a wrench or slip joint pliers.
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QuestionHow do you release a vacuum sealed jar lid?This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.wikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerIf you’re opening a jar with a two-piece vacuum sealed lid, such as a Mason jar, you’ll have to take the ring band off first. Ideally, the ring band should have been removed immediately after the jar was sealed. If not, you might need to use a rubber grip or manual jar opener to get it off. Next, use the edge of a spoon or the blade of a butter knife to lever off the flat lid. If that doesn’t work, try a church key or bottle cap remover, but take care not to chip the glass.
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QuestionHow do you open an airtight steel container?This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.wikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerRunning the lid under hot water may help the metal lid expand and make it easier to take it off. Depending on whether the lid screws on or has some other type of seal, you might also be able to break the seal by sliding a flat metal object, such as a butter knife blade, between the lid and the body of the container and prying the lid loose.
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References
- ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/packages/help-around-the-kitchen/how-to-open-a-jar
- ↑ https://creakyjoints.org/living-with-arthritis/how-to-open-jars-with-arthritis/
- ↑ https://www.southernliving.com/how-to-open-a-stuck-jar-7508235
- ↑ https://creakyjoints.org/living-with-arthritis/how-to-open-jars-with-arthritis/
- ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/za/in-the-home/how-to-open-a-tight-jar.html
- ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/za/in-the-home/how-to-open-a-tight-jar.html
- ↑ http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/thermo/jarlid.html
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/quick-tip-use-a-bottle-opener-95717
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-open-a-sealed-jar-23497275
About This Article
Article Summary
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To open a tight jar, start by wrapping a towel around the lid to get a better grip, and twist the lid open. If that doesn't work, put a piece of plastic wrap around the lid to make the lid sticky, or put on a pair of rubber gloves. To break the vacuum seal of a jar before you open it, tap the blunt end of a wooden spoon forcefully in 6 places around the edge of the lid to make air bubbles before you twist the lid. If that doesn't work, run the lid under hot water so it expands slightly, then try turning it! For tips on using other tools and techniques to open a stuck lid of any type, scroll down!
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Reader Success Stories
- "Method 2 - tools worked finally to get that jar of pasta sauce to open - when youre old and grip strength is not what it was then a bottle opener is your friend. Dont use it the traditional way - just stick the sharp end under the lid to release voila!" ..." more
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"Method 2 - tools worked finally to get that jar of pasta sauce to open - when youre old and grip strength is not what it was then a bottle opener is your friend. Dont use it the traditional way - just stick the sharp end under the lid to release voila!"
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"I had four of the same jars, and I'm pretty strong, but I could not open even one of them and had made my hands sore trying to do so. The tap method worked within seconds, very impressed, thank you so much."
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"This article was very helpful. I got the lid off the jelly in no time. The plastic bag method works every time!"
"It's awesome. This lessens my stress to open the jar as I craved to eat my favorite strawberry jam."
"That was the most magical method. The lid literally just popped off after."
