Many jars have screw-cap lids so tight opening them with bare hands is near impossible, even using a gripper cloth or pad. Wrestling with them near your knees to get more force isn't a good idea if the contents are liquid - olives in brine, for example, in case you suddenly succeed! I know you can buy various clamp-type gadgets, but nothing is easier than the following method: with one hand hold the jar firmly on a counter top; take a wooden rolling pin in the other hand and tap the SIDE (edge) of the lid all the way around as you turn the jar bit by bit with the free hand. No need to hit it hard. Then, as if by magic, the cap will unscrew easily. It works with all sizes of lid.
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Tell us what you think
What 3 Others have said
- Posted by Anna2024 on 24th June 2024
Wow! This is a wonderful hack, even for a screw cap Apple Cider vinegar bottle, it worked like a charm!
- Posted by Montymiff on 28th January 2024
I've done this for years and it really works. I use the dull side of a big old butcher knife, though it leaves dents in the lid. I hadn't thought of a rolling pin.Now I wonder if the corner of the lids would leave the rolling pin dented.
- Posted by clight90 on 16th March 2023
Thank you so much. I've never in my 30+ years had such a difficult time opening a jar until today. I tried everything I knew! I honestly almost broke my hand in the process. And then your tip worked so easily. I am in awe. Did we just become best friends?
