Top 3 Ways To Get The Lid Off A Jar When It Is Stuck Fast!

It can be so frustrating when you are in the middle of a recipe or you are about to make a sandwich and you can’t get the lid off a jar of ingredients! It always happens to me when I’m in a hurry or when I’m at a crucial stage of a recipe.

One particular time that I hate it happening is when I am making toast because I hate cold toast! It is so annoying when I have just made some toast and then I can’t get the lid off a jar of jam!

Over the years I have tried many techniques and gadgets with various levels of success. The 3 methods that I am sharing today are the ones that I find will always work quickly and easily.

Top 3 Ways to Get the Lid Off a Jar

3. Use something to get a better grip on the jar lid.

I have a wonderful product that I keep in my utensil draw that works really well when you can’t get the lid off a jar. We call it a gripping pad and it is just a small piece (about 15 cm square) of non-slip matting.  Often the reason that we can’t get the lid off a jar is because it is slippery. This piece of non-slip mat is great for allowing you to get a better grip.

If you haven’t got some of this I highly recommend buying some non-slip matting and cutting out a square to keep in the kitchen!

In the meantime you can also use a damp dish cloth or even try putting on some washing up gloves.

2. Heat the Lid Up Using Hot Water

Running the lid under some hot water for a minute or so will often do the trick if you still can’t get it off.

If the jar has never been opened the heat will expand the metal and break the seal. If the jar has been open before then it might be stuck because there is some dried contents around the thread. The heat will melt anything that has dried around the top of the jar and make it easier to open.

1. Tap the Lid Against a Bench

This is the method that I use all the time. It seems to break the seal if the jar has never been opened. I think it also dislodges any dried material from around the lid so that you can open it easier.

With this method you just have to make sure that you put a towel or cloth over the bench. You don’t want to put marks in the bench. Also be careful not to hit the bench too hard – you don’t want to break the jar!

Well they are the 3 methods that I use to get the lid off a jar; can you suggest any other good methods?

For more handy hints head over to my Handy Hints board on Pinterest!

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