Open a Difficult Jar

Following these steps, even arthritic or small hands can open a jar with ease. Jars are under a vacuum; if you break the vacuum and let air in, then they are much easier to open.A vacuum attracts the air, for it has none, and is trying to do the opposite of you.

Steps

 * 1) [[Image:57948789_5e64ef49dd.jpg|thumb]]Use one or more of the methods below to break the vacuum.
 * 2) Find something to grip the jar with. Use a damp cloth or wear some rubber gloves (like those used when washing dishes) when trying to open it. If you have any rubber bands that come with vegetables, you can put those around the lid for traction.  Rubber jar openers are also made specifically for this purpose, and are invaluable at loosening stuck jars.
 * 3) Place your palm on the top of the lid and apply pressure, then twist it around with your whole hand.
 * 4) Alternatively, grip the lid firmly and apply force on the jar and not on the lid.
 * 5) Keep a firm grip on the jar. This is because you don't want the contents all over the table/floor.

Water Method

 * 1) Put the jar underneath a cold or hot tap, it causes the lid to expand, keep doing this and attempting to open
 * 2) Eventually the lid will pop open. You can do this with any type of jar or bottle.

Teaspoon Method

 * 1) Take a teaspoon and put the point of the spoon under the edge of the jar.
 * 2) Push down with the spoon so the round side of the spoon is against the jar. The seal should break, and you may hear a 'pop' sound.

Butter Knife Method

 * 1) Use the tip of a butter knife and wedge it between the lid and the jar.
 * 2) Continue to apply force like a lever, moving the knife all the way around the lid.

Bottle Opener Method

 * 1) Apply a triangular shaped bottle opener to the edge of the lid.
 * 2) Separate the lid from the jar a little, then move over and do the same in another spot.
 * 3) Keep going all the way around the lid.

Striking Method

 * 1) Holding the jar at 45 degrees to the horizontal, strike the side of the lid against a hard surface. For example, do this on the floor, at intervals all around its circumference.
 * 2) If this is not feasible, try using the back of a table knife to strike the corner of the metal lid.
 * 3) Another way to do this is to turn the jar upside down and hit the lid flat on a hard surface. You should only need to do this once or twice.

Striking Method 2

 * 1) Grab an ordinary knife.
 * 2) Using the blunt edge of the knife, strike the corner of the lid at a 45 degree angle.
 * 3) Repeat at intervals around the circumference of the lid. Normally only two strikes are needed.
 * 4) This method was previously advised for use on metal lids only, however it also works on plastic lids.

Water Hammer Method
This method requires some practice before it can be done successfully.
 * 1) Hold the jar horizontally to 45° in your non-dominant hand.
 * 2) Slap the bottom of the jar with the center of your palm, this causes a water hammer effect, raising the pressure near the lid and breaking the vacuum.
 * 3) Only slap hard enough to break the seal, but not hard enough to hurt your hand or break the jar.

Temperature Method

 * 1) The problem is often caused by a partial vacuum inside the jar, leading to air pressure preventing the lid being removed. This vacuum is made worse by refrigerating the jar, so try to open the jar before refrigerating.
 * 2) If the jar is already cold, try running hot water over the lid before opening. Do not run it over the entire jar, though. The hot water will make the lid expand temporarily.

Lighter Method

 * 1) Get a lighter or, if you do not have a lighter, ignite a small flame on a matchstick.
 * 2) Run the flame around the circumference where the plastic of the lid touches the glass.
 * 3) Use a towel or a glove to open the lid, which should now be a lot easier.

Tapping Method

 * 1) Hold the jar firmly in your hand, and knock the corner of the lid against the floor (denting the lid on the corner breaks the vacuum seal, or at least always weakens it!), counter top, etc. They quickly open the jar. It should open more easily.

Nut Cracker Method

 * 1) If the cap is small enough for a nutcracker to go around it, it works like a peach.

Rubber Glove Method

 * 1) Wear rubber gloves when trying to remove the lid. The extra grip will help.

Tips

 * The striking method is not only useful for breaking the seal, but it'll also help if food is stuck in the lid. Warmer temperatures may also help soften any food that's preventing the lid from twisting.
 * If you don't intend to reseal the lid, puncture it with the back end of a chef's knife. This will break the seal with the least effort, but render the lid useless.
 * Or...Try moving your hand to a different spot on the lid before trying again. This can sometimes make an 'impossible to open' jar suddenly seem easy; it's all in the angle of attack, so to speak.

Warnings

 * Be careful not to crack the jar, or else it could break while you're twisting it and cut your hand. This is another reason why gripping the lid with a cloth might be a good idea.
 * Be careful when using butter knives to open a jar - they may not seem sharp, but if one slips while you are applying force to it, you can experience a very nasty cut.
 * Don't strain yourself! If all else fails, find someone with strong arms.
 * If you chose to strike the lid with another object, check the rim after removing the lid for chips of glass that may have broken off. (could be in food)

Related Tips and Steps

 * How to Open a Wine Bottle Without a Corkscrew
 * How to Open a Champagne Bottle with a Sword
 * How to Open a Beer Bottle With a Dollar Bill
 * How to Remove a Jar Label