How to Open a Sticky Jar Lid

It can be incredibly frustrating to struggle with a jar lid that won't budge. Lids can get stuck due to a number of causes, but fortunately, there are just as many ways to get them loose again. As you read on, you'll learn how to diagnose your sticky lid issues and get inside those tricky jars with regularity.

Things You'll Need

• Jar with stuck-on lid
• Hot running water
• Heavy butter or kitchen knife
• Dishwashing glove
• Dishtowel
• Paper towel

Instructions

1. When you first encounter a jar lid that won't come off, usually the easiest way around it is to ask the people nearby for help. Whether you're at home or in the office, if someone else is around, there's a good chance they won't be able to turn down a jar opening challenge. Maybe they'll be able to get the lid to pop right off. It might bruise your ego temporarily, but it's often the fastest route to the contents of a tricky jar.

2. Try to diagnose the issue you're having with the jar lid. Most lids are difficult to open either because the lids themselves are too slippery to get a grip on or because the lid has been overtightened. If your lid is simply slippery, wipe it well with a dry paper towel, put a rubber dishwashing glove on your strong hand and try again. You should have enough grip and traction to get it open. If the lid has been overtightened, more work is in order.

3. If you think the lid is on too tight, run the lid of the jar under hot running water. Turn the jar so that the hot water pours over the lid from all angles, and heat the lid for at least thirty seconds. Then quickly dry the jar and lid with a dishtowel, put that rubber dishwashing glove on and give it another try. The heat will often expand the lid enough so that it will come off easily.

4. If you still can't get it, there's a chance that the lid has somehow slipped off of the threads at the top of the jar. You may have to try to realign the lid with the threads by pounding it in. Take your heavy kitchen or butter knife and hold it with the handle pointing away from you. Use the blunt end to pound down firmly but carefully on the top edge of the jar. Use your free hand to slowly turn the jar so that you pound it down around the entire top perimeter of the lid. If the lid was off its threads, this process should settle it. Try opening it again, using the glove if necessary.

5. If you still can't get it open, it's worth a try to repeat step three. If the lid doesn't come off after that, it may be a lost cause. But there's no harm in keeping it around for a while so that you can challenge every newcomer that comes through the door. There's no shame in asking for help with a sticky jar lid.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't have a heavy knife to use for pounding the lid back onto its track, you can use the blunt end of all kinds of kitchen gadgets and utensils. Heavier can openers tend to work well.

• If you use one of the above mentioned tactics to try and loosen the lid, don't use all of your strength on your first attempt at opening it. It could be that the tactic loosens the lid completely, and you might risk spilling the contents if you anticipate too much resistance.