Struggling To Open A Jar Lid

[David777]

I have minor arthritis in fingers of both hands that has not become worse over 20 years but does limit my hand gripping strength. So own one of these cheap metal can/jar opening tools.

 

[dusty]

This is my top pet peeve! I think I might have a mental block when it comes to jar lids. So now what works for me is to bang it on the edge of the kitchen counter a few times. Also, if that fails I use a small hammer I keep in my kitchen junk drawer and hit the lid a few times. So far, so good.

 

[MarciKS]

Depends on the jar. I have a thing on my can opener to pop the seals on the jars. Otherwise if I can't get into something I use my rubber gloves that I do dishes with.

 

[dobielvr]

The only thing I ever did besides using my rubber lid opener was to use the handle of a knife and tap around the lid. It would let loose enough so the rubber pad would open the lid.

This works for me too.

 

[debodun]

I upend the jar, and run and wiggle a table knife around where the lid meets the glass. It may have to be done several times and be careful not to chip the glass. Once the lid pops, a 4 year old can open it. No fancy tools needed. I just opened a jar of Aunt Nellie's white onions doing that.

 

[HoneyNut]

I use a 'robotwist'.

 

[officerripley]

An inexpensive pair of dishwashing gloves; don't even have to put the glove on, just grab the jar lid with it and it usually works. (For some reason, the thinner & cheaper the gloves are seem to work the best.)

 

[Jules]

I use a 'robotwist'.

View attachment 475194

I had one of those for years. It was the Best! I was so sad when it quit.

 

[Dr.Colosso]

or

or I ask my son.

 

[Sunny]

I have the same two tools that Holly shows above, except that mine are green, hers are blue. I've also found that running hot water on the jar lid helps. And breaking the vacuum with the pointy end of a "church key" tool (usually used to punch holes in the top of cans) almost always does the trick.

I have a bigger problem: how do you get the items off a shelf in the market when they put the best, most popular items way up high on the top shelf, and you are 5'4 or under? My one method is to go running around the store looking for a tall guy who works there (or more rarely, I find a very tall woman) and asking them for help.

 

[OneEyedDiva]

Most of the time, running hot water over the lid works for me. If not, I get Tall Thing (my son) to apply his muscle to it. After he moves out, I'll probably use my nubby silicone gloves if the hot water hack doesn't work on it's own (since I don't own a gripper).

 

[Irishdude]

My wife just calls her handsome, muscular husband.

 

[Wombat]

Many years ago I made a device similar to the one in post #9 using a couple of pieces of hacksaw blades. No idea what happened to that.

These days I use one of several gripper things that I picked up in an Op Shop. They seem to work OK, there is not much that one of them won't grip.




One of the irritating things about growing old is that once my kids would come to me to open things, now I have to ask them.

 

[Irishdude]

My wife just calls her handsome, muscular husband.

I should mention that the handsome, muscular husband sometimes asks his 33 year old daughter to help out with the really tough ones.

 

[Sunny]

Irishdude, can I borrow your whole family the next time I go shopping?

 

[Jules]

Tall people often appreciate me asking for assistance with items on the top shelf. They look at what I’m buying and decide they should have it too.

 

[JudyB]

What's your method of opening a jar when the lid is stuck

What's your method of opening a jar when the lid is stuck?

Well for years I tapped it against the metal part of my sink until I heard it pop, meaning that it was ready to open. And as I age and have neuropathy and arthritis in my hands I have added a vice grip and a can/bottle opener. So far I have been able to open any and all using one of these tools.

 

[againstthegrain]

IronMind Zenith grip strength trainers are another way to go.

 

[Irishdude]

Irishdude, can I borrow your whole family the next time I go shopping?

Sure. My daughter and I can open things and my wife will help you spend any excess cash.

 

[John cycling]

I use a short screwdriver to gently pry the nubs on the side.
The lid usually pops in a couple of seconds and comes off easily.

 

[Rose65]

What's your method of opening a jar when the lid is stuck?

I get my husband to do it.

 

[Wombat]

IronMind Zenith grip strength trainers are another way to go.

What do you do? bash the lid off with them?

 

[Mitch86]

Buy an electric jar opener from Amazon.