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How to Open a Stuck Jar Lid

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(130 Ratings)
Open a Stuck Jar Lid
Open a Stuck Jar Lid

Since timing is everything in the kitchen, you'll want to open a jar quickly and get back to your saute' or souffle'. Try these tricks.

Difficulty: Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Bottle Opener
  • Bottle Opener
  • Dish Towel
  • Wooden Spoon
  • Rubber Bands
  • Rubber Bands
  • Rubber bands
  1. Step 1

    If the jar is new, use a triangular-tipped bottle opener to apply pressure and break the vacuum seal. Do this by placing the triangular tip underneath the lid and pulling the lid away from the jar until you pop the seal.

  2. Step 2

    If this doesn't work and you suspect that food is stuck in the lid, tap the lid with a wooden spoon to knock away the food.

  3. Step 3

    Wrap the lid in a dish towel to give your hands traction as you twist. Or put rubber bands around the lid to get a good grip. The rubber bands that hold together bunches of vegetables are ideal.

  4. Step 4

    If the lid still won't budge, run the lid (not the jar) under hot water for a minute. This will cause the metal lid to expand so it comes off easily.

Tips & Warnings
  • If you don't have a bottle opener with a triangular tip, break the vacuum seal by tapping the lid against a countertop.

Comments  

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tyinummoc said

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on 8/14/2009 Yes, you are right! By putting a thick heavy duty rubber band around the lid of a vacuum sealed bottle I was able to open my jar. I almost gave up after applying all the procedures above, until I used my life saver rubber band. Thank you for the tip.

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on 3/26/2009 There is actually a product called the OneTouch Jar Opener that can open any jar with just the push of a button. I use it because of my arthritis. Check out this site to see a video of it in action: http://www.healthwellnesshub.com/onetouchjar.php

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on 3/26/2009 There's actually a product on the market that can do this when all else fails. It's called the OneTouch Jar Opener. You can watch a video of this product in action here: http://www.HealthWellnessHub.com/onetouchjar.php Best of luck, it has worked like a charm for me :-)

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on 5/1/2008 I tried using the rubber bands that come from veggies in the market and was able to open a really stubborn jar. Thanks for the tip.

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on 5/1/2008 I tried the rubber bands from the bunches of veggies that you get in the market on a really stubborn stuck jar lid...it worked like a charm to open the lid. Thanks for the tip

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