Am I growing old and decrepit?

[Bretrick]

In attempting to remove plastic lid of a jar of Peanut Butter I had to resort to using a bread slicing knife, then a pair of pliers to remove lid.
This happens often with soft drink bottles as well. Many times I can not remove the lid and have to cut them off.
I have noticed that sometimes the drink bottle caps have no perforations making it extremely difficult to remove the cap.
Bottles with thin aluminium caps can be a pain as well, also without perforations , with a faulty thread, turning the cap flattens out the thread and the cap goes nowhere.
Exasperating at times.
Anyone here come up against these first world problems?

 

[LadyEmeraude]

Bretrick, removing lids of all sorts has become a big issue for me lately,
and more than usual, I have the rubber thing to help twist off the lids, I
even have the circular twist opener, and in spite of that, I actually sprained
my thumb couple weeks ago

 

[Bretrick]

Bretrick, removing lids of all sorts has become a big issue for me lately,
and more than usual, I have the rubber thing to help twist off the lids, I
even have the circular twist opener, and in spite of that, I actually sprained
my thumb couple weeks ago

It is just a pain when these things occur. There seems to be more faulty caps today than ever.
What happened to quality control measures?

 

[Mizmo]

Yes I have trouble with all of the above and even more so now with the loss of my thumb . My friends, younger than I, complain of this too.
I was give a bottle of vintage wine in a gift...yes corked..yes still sitting there , waiting for some one to get it out for me.

 

[Pepper]

Pliers are a good idea. I also use a nutcracker. Hardly ever open jars anymore, but that's how I did it! Oh, to your original query: Probably.

 

[Tish]

I use a nonslip square, it works fantastic.
With one use jars I stab the bubble of the lid and it works great.

 

[hollydolly]

In attempting to remove plastic lid of a jar of Peanut Butter I had to resort to using a bread slicing knife, then a pair of pliers to remove lid.
This happens often with soft drink bottles as well. Many times I can not remove the lid and have to cut them off.
I have noticed that sometimes the drink bottle caps have no perforations making it extremely difficult to remove the cap.
Bottles with thin aluminium caps can be a pain as well, also without perforations , with a faulty thread, turning the cap flattens out the thread and the cap goes nowhere.
Exasperating at times.
Anyone here come up against these first world problems?

if you haven't got a Bottle/jar cap remover ..I haven't but they're cheap to buy ... use a Rubber glove. That's all I ever use, and it works like a charm

 

[Gary O']

In attempting to remove plastic lid of a jar of Peanut Butter I had to resort to using a bread slicing knife, then a pair of pliers to remove lid.

I still have the grip of a Pit Bull's jaw
Only time I'm let in the kitchen
It's just that I can't see for shit
She'll guide my hands over to the jar
Much like Samson's last feat

 

[mrstime]

Slip a spoon between lid and jar, then twist the spoon a bit should release the air and allow for easy lid removal.

 

[hearlady]

Yes, it's getting harder. So far I can get most of them and what I can't hubby still can.

 

[Blessed]

I have an rubber jar opener that is about 5 inches in diameter. A lot of the time if I just tap the handle of a butter knife around the lid, it will break the vacuum seal. Then I can open right up.

I am pleased to see that more companies that make canned goods are putting the pull tab type lids on cans. I don't have a problem now but my mom had trouble with the can opener when she got older.

 

[DebraMae]

Slip a spoon between lid and jar, then twist the spoon a bit should release the air and allow for easy lid removal.

I do the same thing with a "church key". Once you break the vacuum the lid comes right off.

 

[ArnoldC]

Noticed that myself, Bretrick. I don't attribute it totally to getting old and decrepit.

In my considered opinion, these lids are being designed by computer programs and installed by robotics. The human factor that once enabled us to open lids without resorting to out-of-hand leveraging and external mechanical aids is long gone.

And to top it off, often these lids and caps are of such minimalistic design that one and done is the norm. So, no, not entirely old and decript. Swiss Army Knife is a constant pocket companion. That and, yeah, the rubber flat for removing lids. Lately, I've had to throw away can openers that look esthetically pleasing but don't work like the old '50s style from back in the day. Go figure.

Best regards and hang in there, mate. Arnold

 

[palides2021]

I use a nonslip square, it works fantastic.
With one use jars I stab the bubble of the lid and it works great.

@Tish, do you have a picture of it? It sounds fascinating.

 

[palides2021]

I have an rubber jar opener that is about 5 inches in diameter. A lot of the time if I just tap the handle of a butter knife around the lid, it will break the vacuum seal. Then I can open right up.

I am pleased to see that more companies that make canned goods are putting the pull tab type lids on cans. I don't have a problem now but my mom had trouble with the can opener when she got older.

I also prefer the cans with the tabs. Brilliant idea.

 

[palides2021]

I do the same thing with a "church key". Once you break the vacuum the lid comes right off.

Sorry to sound dumb @DebraMae , but what is a "church key?" Do you have a photo of it? Thanks.

 

[palides2021]

In attempting to remove plastic lid of a jar of Peanut Butter I had to resort to using a bread slicing knife, then a pair of pliers to remove lid.
This happens often with soft drink bottles as well. Many times I can not remove the lid and have to cut them off.
I have noticed that sometimes the drink bottle caps have no perforations making it extremely difficult to remove the cap.
Bottles with thin aluminium caps can be a pain as well, also without perforations , with a faulty thread, turning the cap flattens out the thread and the cap goes nowhere.
Exasperating at times.
Anyone here come up against these first world problems?

Yes, it's a constant struggle. Will see about the suggestions on this thread. Also, I prefer the cans with tabs.

 

[ElCastor]

In attempting to remove plastic lid of a jar of Peanut Butter I had to resort to using a bread slicing knife, then a pair of pliers to remove lid.

Look up on Amazon “under cabinet lid remover”. Best for the larger lids but may or may not work on bottle caps. Channellock Pliers are handy for the smaller stuff.

 

[NorthernLight]

I manage to get jar lids off, eventually. Sometimes the pull ring on sardines breaks off and I have to use a can opener.

But the worst is the plastic screw-off tops on cream (and presumably other dairy products). Often they're placed wrongly, and I have to bypass the plastic thing and mangle the paper part to get the container open.

 

[mrstime]

I do the same thing with a "church key". Once you break the vacuum the lid comes right off.

I never thought of a church key, that would work probably better than the spoon. I just happen to have a church key too.

 

[perplexed]

I manage to get jar lids off, eventually. Sometimes the pull ring on sardines breaks off and I have to use a can opener.

But the worst is ehe plastic screw-off tops on cream (and presumably other dairy products). Often they're placed wrongly, and I have to bypass the plastic thing and mangle the paper part to get the container open.

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I am right there with you about the plastic screw off lids! Yes here lately I have issues getting lids off. I usually use a butter knife to hit lid around the edge and that may work or I have this gripper thingy and that may work and then if those fail I call my husband who pops it right off of course I already loosened it for him lol lol!
I like your idea Tish about stabbing the bubble of the lid. I am giving that a try and also Mrs time idea Slip a spoon between lid and jar
Thanks!

 

[NorthernLight]

I used to know what a church key was but forgot. I don't hang around with enough drinkers I guess!

 

[timoc]

I once thought that I'd come up with a foolproof idea, it's called a hammer, don't try it, you won't like the outcome.

 

[Jules]

I am pleased to see that more companies that make canned goods are putting the pull tab type lids on cans. I don't have a problem now but my mom had trouble with the can opener when she got older.

For some unknown reason my DH thinks we need an electric can opener. He doesn’t cook but sometimes I’m thankful to have it. It’s tucked away in the cupboard, so it’s not taking up space.. I detest those tab things. I have to pry them up and they fight me when I go to yank the lid up.

 

[Jules]

I have a variety of items to open lids. When they all have failed, I boil some water and soak the jar upside down in it for a minute; the seal breaks easily then.

@Mizmo I’d come save you from your wine dilemma. Too bad it’ll be a while before I’m in your neighbourhood.