18 Comments
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Mariangela's avatar

I’m realizing I may have a very Italian 🇮🇹 approach to this because the only method I’ve ever known is: take the handle of a teaspoon, wedge it gently under the edge of the lid until you hear the little pop that breaks the seal… and then open the jar like nothing ever happened 😂

Jono Hey's avatar

I'm clearly going to need to update my drawing =)

Mariangela's avatar

lol, the “spoon-pop” technique has been passed down through Italian kitchens for generations 😂🇮🇹

Portia's avatar

I tap a metal tablespoon or ladle all around the lid, it always does the trick.

Jono Hey's avatar

Perfect. Will give it a go on the next troublesome lid.

Kim Rampling's avatar

Take a kitchen knife, rap it sharply at an angle against the lid in about 3 places, hard enough to dent it. Works every time, since all you need to achieve is to break the seal that occurs naturally when the product is first put hot into the jar. For the nerdy, its vacuum sealing, which relies on the basic physics of thermal expansion and contraction of air and steam.

Jono Hey's avatar

👌 thanks!

S Tiplady's avatar

Years ago I found—I don’t remember where—this simple method that has never let me down. Turn the stubborn jar upside down and bang the lid evenly on a firm surface such as the kitchen counter or a table top. I have never needed more than two tries for success. Also, in case you wondered, I have never had a broken jar! Give it a try.

Jono Hey's avatar

Brilliant. I'll do just that. Thank you.

MsDeth's avatar

Use 10- or 12-inch water pump pliers. They will open large and small jars, from those annoying little plastic bottle caps that won’t open because the break-away rings won’t break away to the big metal lids where you can’t break the suction.

irunslowly's avatar

Turn the container and hold the cap. Physics: move the bigger object

Jono Hey's avatar

Simple!

Hugo Sousa's avatar

Another trick is to tap te bottom, or hit softly around the lid. Usually it became easier.

Also I found this trick for breaking the vacuum effective https://share.google/4zIU0JLMOl2m3cswJ

Jono Hey's avatar

Nice video! Thanks.

Pasqualino Temis's avatar

Hello Jono - This is what you need: https://www.amazon.it/Brix-2121-JarKey-Frost-Opener/dp/B017HAJ1GE/ref=sr_1_23.

Simple and cheap. Breaks the vacuum seal which stops the jar being opened easily.

Regards,

Lino Temis

Joe Luxford's avatar

I have one of these and swear by it. Opens any stuck jar lid in seconds.

Jono Hey's avatar

Nice. Will have to give one of those a try one day. Thanks!