How to Open a Difficult Jar

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Breaking the Seal on the Lid

Grab a wooden kitchen spoon; the heavier the better. Tap the lid of the jar on top a couple of times around the edge to pop the seal, then try to twist off the lid.^{[1] X Research source}

You might need to repeat this a few times to get the lid to loosen.

You can try other kitchen utensils if you don't have a kitchen spoon. Wood utensils work best, but anything heavy could work.

Insert the flat tip of a butter knife or the tip of another flat metal utensil that fits under the edge of the lid’s rim. Carefully pry the lid away from the jar, working your way around the rim, to break the seal.^{[2] X Research source}

Tip: Listen for a pop sound as you work your way around the lid with the utensil. This sound means you have broken the seal and can now twist off the lid.

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Hold the jar at a 45-degree downward angle with your non-dominant hand. Firmly slap the bottom of the jar with the center of the palm of your dominant hand and listen for a pop to tell you you have broken the seal.^{[3] X Research source}
This method is called the “water hammer”. It functions by raising the pressure against the lid to pop the seal.

Fill a dish with hot (but not boiling) water and flip the jar upside down in it. Leave the jar for 30 seconds, then try to open it. Repeat this process if the lid doesn’t come off the first time.^{[4] X Research source}

Tip: You can also try running the lid under hot water for about 2 minutes to try to pop the seal if you don’t have a dish to submerge it in.

Turn the hair dryer on high and aim it at the lid for 30 seconds to expand the lid and loosen the seal. Use a towel or other heat barrier to try to twist off the lid.^{[5] X Research source}

This method also helps to melt jam or other sticky foods that may have glued the lid shut in the first place.

Be very careful with this method not to burn yourself. The metal lid will get very hot.

Move the flame of a lighter slowly and carefully around the rim of the jar's lid to heat it up. Use a towel or gloves to try to twist off the lid once you have heated it up.^{[6] X Research source}
The hotter you get the lid, the more it will expand, but be very careful because both the lighter and the lid of the jar will get very hot!

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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Getting a Better Grip on the Lid

Sometimes a towel is all you need to give you the extra grip to twist off a stubborn lid. Hold the jar in your non-dominant hand and place the towel over the lid, then twist it counterclockwise.^{[7] X Research source}
It’s a good idea to try opening difficult jars over the sink or a counter. This way, it will be easy to clean up anything that spills out if the lid suddenly comes off quickly.

Put on a dry pair of kitchen gloves that you would normally use to wash dishes or clean. Try to twist off the lid of the jar as normal.^{[8] X Research source}
You can use a single glove if you feel like you have better grip on the body of the jar with your naked hand.

Tear off enough plastic wrap from a roll to cover the lid of the jar. Place it over the top and press it down around the rim until it clings to the lid, then twist the lid off.^{[9] X Research source}
Note that the more clingy the plastic wrap, the more likely this method is to work.

Get a rubber band that can fit tightly around the lid of the jar and stretch it around the rim. Use your dominant hand to grip the rubber band and try to twist the lid off.^{[10] X Research source}

Tip: Wider rubber bands work best for this method, so that there is more surface area to grip onto.

Try using a dryer sheet for extra grip if you have one handy. A dryer sheet is another option to create traction for your hands. Place a dryer sheet over the lid and twist the lid off.^{[11] X Research source}
You could try combining this method with the rubber band method by placing a rubber band over the dryer sheet to hold it more securely in place.

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