How to Open a Stuck Plastic or Glass Jar Lid

Thứ sáu - 26/04/2024 23:11
Quick and easy tricks to loosen a stubborn jar lid 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...
Table of contents
ARTICLE

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.
2

Rubber bands or cling wrap

  1. Watermark wikiHow to Open a Tight Jar
    Sometimes you need to add some grippy material to the jar itself, rather than adding grip to your own hands. Wrap a rubber band (or several rubber bands) around the circumference of the jar’s lid to add some friction. Or, drape 1-2 layers of cling wrap over the jar to envelope it in a stickier material that lets your fingers get a better grip.[3]
    • Set the jar itself on a non-stick surface, as well, like a rubber dish drying mat or a silicone baking mat, to make sure the jar doesn’t go anywhere as you twist it open.[4]
    • Place cling wrap over the jar’s opening before you replace the lid to make it easier to open next time.
3

Tapping on the lid

  1. Watermark wikiHow to Open a Tight Jar
    Put the closed jar on a flat surface. Use a spoon to firmly tap all around the circumference of the lid (both on top and on the sides) about 6-12 times. Then, screw the lid off with your dominant hand. This helps break up any dried or jammy food matter around the seal of the jar, making it easier to open.[5]
    • If it doesn’t work immediately, keep tapping around the edge of the jar for 30-60 seconds, then try to twist the lid off again. Sometimes it just takes a little encouragement.
  2. Advertisement
4

Hot water

  1. Watermark wikiHow to Open a Tight Jar
    It’s possible that some food bits got into the threading of the lid and dried there, effectively sealing the cap. To unseal it, turn your kitchen tap as hot as it’ll go, then stick the lid’s seam under the running water for about 1 minute before twisting it off.[6] Just be sure to dry it with a towel first to get the best grip.
    • If you don't have a source of constant hot water, make a hot water bath instead by filling a deep pan or dish with just-boiled water, then setting the jar upside down in the bath for 1 minute.
    • The hot water also makes metal lids expand slightly, loosening the seal.[7]
5

Bottle opener

  1. Watermark wikiHow to Open a Tight Jar
    Most bottle openers have a hooked edge to pry under the lids of bottles, and it’ll work on a glass jar in a pinch. Jam the hook under the lid of the jar and pry it upwards. If you hear an audible hiss, you've managed to break the air seal.[8] Twist the lid off counterclockwise, using a rag for added grip if you need it.
    • Alternatively, put on work gloves and safety goggles and use a butter knife to pry the lid off. Just slip the tip under the lip of the lid and press the handle toward the jar. It’s a common fix, but we don’t particularly recommend it, given the safety hazard.[9]
  2. Advertisement
6

Smacking the jar

  1. Watermark wikiHow to Open a Tight Jar
    Hold the jar by the lid at a 45-degree angle with your non-dominant hand. Then, smack the bottom of the jar firmly with your palm 10-15 times. Place the jar upright and twist off the cap.[10] The force of the smack sends air bubbles to the lid’s seam, breaking any vacuum seal that may have formed since you last opened it.
    • Alternatively, set a kitchen towel on a hard surface, and gently but firmly hit the bottom of the jar down onto the kitchen towel 10-15 times.
7

Open flame

  1. Watermark wikiHow to Open a Tight Jar
    When heated, the metal lid of the jar expands slightly, loosening the seal.[11] Hold the jar with pot holders, and position the lid of the jar just over an open flame, like from a stove or lighter. Slowly rotate the lid over the flame for 30 seconds. Then, wearing your pot holders to protect your hands, twist the lid off.
    • We recommend you only use this method as a last resort, since an open flame can be dangerous.
  2. Advertisement

Total notes of this article: 0 in 0 rating

Click on stars to rate this article

Related New