It’s inevitable: you are in a hurry and have to open a jar of sauce or something, in order to make the meal quickly. Despite your best efforts, the lid refuses to open. It is frustrating and tiring, especially for those who lack strength in their hands or suffer from arthritis or rheumatism.
Fortunately, there are tips to make your life easier. Curiosity Insight, therefore, offers you its tips and tricks to easily open a recalcitrant jar.
Tips and tricks for opening a jar that is too tight:
1. How do I open a jar that is too tight?
Often times, it is the pressure inside the jar that prevents it from opening easily. So start by reducing the pressure by giving a good blow on the bottom of the jar with the palm of your hand.
You will hear a popping sound, meaning the joint has popped out. The lid of the jar should then open easily.
2. How to open a recalcitrant jar?
If our first trick under the glass jar didn’t work as expected, try loosening the lid seal by giving light taps all around the lid with a wooden spoon.
You could also use the non-sharp end of a knife, but be careful not to bang too hard so as not to break the glass. Unfortunately, you risk damaging the lid of the jar with this trick, but sometimes we have no choice!
3. A bottle opener to open a too tight jar
To loosen the seal from a jar that is too tight, insert a bottle opener between the lid and the jar. Pry lightly, until you hear the sound of the gasket loosening.
A simple trick that often works for a very recalcitrant jar!
4. How to open a jar without forcing too much?
If your hands are lacking in strength, help yourself open a glass jar that’s too tight with these simple tips:
- With rubber gloves: wear rubber dishwashing gloves, these will prevent your hands from slipping on the jar glass and lid.
- With an elastic: wrap an elastic of the correct size around the lid of the jar. This will help you get a better grip on the cover.
- With a laundry fabric softener sheet: Fabric softener wipes are less slippery than a cloth. Surround the lid of the jar with the fabric softener sheet to give you better traction.
- With a damp cloth: Similar to fabric softener wipes, a damp cloth may be enough to give you more traction on the lid.
5. A jar clamp to easily open a jar that is too tight
To make your life easier if you suffer from pain in your hands or fingers, get a jar clamp. This accessory allows you to easily open even the most recalcitrant pot.
The jar clamp grips the lid, giving you a better grip on it.
6. How do I pop the seal of a jar that is too tight?
Gently insert the blade of a butter knife or other flat utensil between the glass and the lid. This may be enough to release the seal from the lid of a jar.
7. How do I open the lid of a sticky jar?
Peel off the lid of the jar with hot water:
If the lid refuses to open because the contents of the jar are sticky, run the jar under hot running water for a few seconds. Alternatively, soak the jar upside down in a little hot water. The hot water will melt the sugar that is stuck between the jar and the lid. You should be able to open the jar afterward.
Open a sticky canning jar with a dryer:
To open a canning jar containing jam or any other sticky substance, heat the lid using a blow dryer. The heat will soften the sugar between the jar and the lid, making it easier for you to open it.
8. Pierce the lid of a recalcitrant jar
Another trick to opening a jar that is too tight is to punch a small hole in the lid. This will release the pressure inside the jar. To do this, use the tip of a sharp knife, or an ice pick.
Be careful when handling a knife or other sharp object so as not to cut yourself. An injury happens so quickly, so watch out!
9. How to open a jar with a washer?
If your jar has a lid with a rubber seal:
- Soak it for a few minutes in hot water, upside down.
- Then gently slide a butter knife under the washer.
The seal on the lid and the jar should therefore come loose.
10. Why buy a puck puller to open the jars?
Do you make your own preserves in jars with rings? Do you often have difficulty opening a jar with a washer? Buy a washer puller designed for this purpose!
Also called a tongue puller, this little kitchen tool will allow you to easily open your washer jars.
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