How to Open a Jar with a Tight Lid

Have you ever found yourself trying to open a particularly stubborn jar? Maybe you arrived here by searching how to open a pickle jar. Well, in my case it was a jar of sun dried tomatoes. Here’s how to open a jar with a tight lid – 6 proven ways to open tight lids!

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Trying to Open a Jar with a Tight Lid

A couple weeks ago, I found myself in a bit of a conundrum. I was making this Chicken Parmesan with Sundried Tomato Sauce for dinner and needed sun-dried tomatoes (the sun-dried tomatoes that I had in the fridge were almost gone).

I had to open a new jar — but the lid would NOT come off. 

First I tried one of those rubber grippers. That didn’t work. The lid didn’t even budge.

I was starting to get a little irritated, and my hand had a huge cramp in it. I put the jar down and walked away for a while. It was the tightest lid I had ever encountered.

All the trying had left deep marks from the lid in my hand. Then I remembered a few tricks for opening jars with too tight lids that I learned years ago. I had completely forgotten since I can almost always open the jar.

Tools to Help Open a Jar

You might not have realized that you probably own several random household items that are effective ways to help open a stubborn lid on a jar. Here are a few of my favorite handy kitchen utensils:

• Pair of Rubber Gloves
• Butter Knife
• Metal Spoon
• Bottle Opener
• Thick Rubber Band

Read on to learn how these common household items can help you open a jar with a tight lid.

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How to Open a Jar 6 Ways

There are plenty of tricks to open a stubborn jar lid, but here are a few of my favorite!

I always try the jar grippers first because usually that does it for me. But sometimes you might need to try another trick if the vacuum is especially strong and stubborn.

And if that fails you, here’s how to open a stuck jar five different ways. I’ve found that in scenarios like this one, having more options is best!

1. How to Open a Jar With a Butter Knife

Using a butter knife, give the end of the jar’s rim a few gently whacks with the knife’s handle. Air bubbles created can help loosen the vacuum seal.

You can also slip the flat tip of a butter knife under the rim of the lid and lift up to try to release the jar’s vacuum seal.

2. How to Open a Jar with a Spoon

Similarly to using the flat tip of a butter knife, wedge the tip of the spoon in the underside of the lid in between the jar and its lid. Wiggle it back and forth to try to break the seal.

Do this all the way around the lid of the jar. Then, try to open the jar with your bare hands again.

3. How to Open a Jar with the Palm of Your Hand

Hold the jar at a 45-degree angle in one hand. With the other hand, smack the bottom of the jar using the center of your palm. Make sure you have a good grip and don’t use too much force that you loose your grip.

In this scenario, the brute force will create air bubbles in the contents of the jar that will help loosen the vacuum seal.

4. How to Open a Jar with Hot Water

Hold the lid under running hot water for a minute or two or let it sit in a bowl of warm water. The hot liquid hack will warm the metal of the lid, causing it to expand which will make it easier to open.

After warming the lid, dry the jar with a dry dish towel. Hold the jar with your non-dominant hand on the bottom of the jar. Then, use your dominant hand to try to open the lid.

5. How to Open the Jar with a Few Bumps

Gently tap the bottom of the jar (hold it at a 45-degree angle) on the kitchen countertop or a cutting board, moving it all around in a circle as you tap.

Just make sure you don’t tap the edge of the jar too hard because you don’t want to break the jar. Be careful if your counters are stone and you’re trying to open a glass jar. It is a good idea to place a kitchen towel on top of your hard surface before trying this method.

6. How to Open a Jar Using Extra Traction

Sometimes bare hands alone just aren’t enough to loosen a stubborn lid on a jar. Extra traction can help as you’re trying to turn that lid. Here are a few options:

• Rubber Gloves – wearing rubber gloves, such as kitchen cleaning gloves, on both hands. Hold one hand on the bottom, the other on the top and twist. The gloves can act as a great way to get extra grip on the top of the lid and the bottom of the jar as you try to open the jar.
• Wider Rubber Bands – placing a rubber band around the rim of a jar lid is another easy way to get a better grip on the lid. Wrap the rubber band around the edge of the lid, then try to open like normal.
• Rubber Gripper – a rubber gripper fits over the top of the lid. It is a very minor investment to have on hand if tight jars are a frequent challenge for you.

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Try These Tips to Open Jars with a Stuck Lid!

Next time you’re trying to open a stubborn lid, give these simple ways a try! Did these tips help you open your stuck jar lid? Leave a comment below and give this post a review for others to see what you thought of these jar opening tips.

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