Opening jars, with arthritic hands

Rubber gloves always work for me, even with the tightest lids. It’s like magic since I’ve discovered this!

Rubber gloves have to be dry. I think I will keep an old pair specially in a drawer.

Jar Keys are just the job. I had one sent to me by a chutney producer, after I wrote to them explaining that although I loved the product, I could not open the lid.
Another great thing is a Baby Boa, and it is long enough to put round most things.
But nutcrackers also for things like bleach lids and mouthwash lids.
We GN's can find a solution for most things. 😊

Another vote for a Jarkey. I used to struggle but not since having a Jar Key easy peezy - i used it with every jar now.

My Jarkey has just arrived from Amazon. Looking forward to using it but got nothing to open 😊😊😊

Tea towel in sink, inverted jar on top, ordinary knife slipped between lid and jar and pulled outwards until vacuum released. No hot water and no stabbing at lid . Friend gave me this tip and it works every time for me. 😀

The jar key is the only thing I need to open new jars. It releases the vacuum and even works on those big gherkin jars with a narrow lip the grippy things cant hold

We have a good hard wooden step on which I bang hard to open jars. It breaks the seal and then they open no bother.

Love the jar key

Another vote for a Jarkey here; couldn't manage without mine.

I have one of the opening devices in Callistemon’s picture, but it often doesn’t work for me.

Callistemon21

You could tap all around the edges of the lid with the back of a knife.

Or buy one of these:

We recently ordered one of these and found it to be utterly useless for my painful wrists. We sent it back.

We got this which I can on most (but not all) jars.

There are several gadgets out there as others have shown, but I find the simplest thing to use is a silicone mat, which you can also use to take things out of the oven with, and stop things from slipping! My hands are arthritic and sometimes numb, and I do have a jar opener, but find the mat easier.

Something like this ....

www.amazon.co.uk/HAUSPROFI-Silicone-Resistant-Non-Slip-Microwave/dp/B08CKK468F/ref=sr_1_6?crid=1ASKX2Q8KER73&keywords=silicone+mats+for+kitchen&sprefix=silicone+mat%2Caps%2C212&tag=gransnetforum-21&qid=1692964334&sr=8-6

You are not alone. I struggle at times especially with wider tops. I have tried all the gadgets and they all need strength to either squeeze handles together or prise a top off. My latest one is a Brabantia. This has circular grips of varying sizes so deals with a jam to a large gherkin jar. The principle seems to be, give it a squeeze to get the jagged edge grip onto the lid then turn. Best one so far. Sure there will be an ekectric gadget out there.

For jars I have found this invaluable, www.ebay.co.uk/itm/404284122397?chn=ps&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&amdata=enc%3A1Vicu0F5-QH6wYArePhyNnQ47&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=404284122397&targetid=1816459698125&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9045041&poi=&campaignid=19097601017&mkgroupid=152525099668&rlsatarget=pla-1816459698125&abcId=9303862&merchantid=764137349&gclid=CjwKCAjwoqGnBhAcEiwAwK-OkWH1V1TyWe_9ORnOPA8RjThV8FhWN3Nbrhkdcu5XdL55rETRVf7gwBoC85wQAvD_BwE. I have arthritic hands and have tried all sorts of gadgets but this type is definitely the best.

I was very pleased to see this thread as I struggle with opening a container of pills. Talk about 'child-proof', unless we are very lucky this little plastic jar of pills defeats both Mr C and myself.

I will look at buying at least one of the suggested tools (we have two already but they can't cope with this small plastic cap).

Thanks HurdyGurdy for the thread: I am sure it has helped many people.

If the lid is deep enough I find that an elastic band wound tightly round it helps!
A tip that was given to me by an elderly work colleague over 45 years ago.
Mind you tops have got tighter nowadays but it still works!

I've a feeling an american friend gave me a round plastic disc thing (which of course I've now lost!), called a Screwy Louie which was wonderful for helping you get a good grip on lids. Must see if they really do exist! Don't think I am having a major senior moment here! .

There is a vast range of devices that should make life easier for everyone with weak hands and wrists, but if you can only buy them online I understand it can be hard to get the right one.

I don't live in the UK, so my q uestion may sound stupid: Are there not shops catering for those of us who are in need of walking sticks, gadgets for opening jars, fittings for taps, etc. etc. etc. in your neck of the woods? There are here, for the few things that the home helps don't automatically supply if your GP puts in a requisition.

I usually smack the side if the lid hard with a wooden spoon. Works every time for me.

I have the jar key one as well and find it really good, also the non slip mat stuff that comes in a roll about 12 inch long , I use it under place mats but it makes a great gripper for anything to need to open or just grip firmly much better than a T. towel.

Also there is a small circle in middle of lid: hit is with back of a spoon to release pressure. Then use rubber gloves. Or work spoon handle just under lid...then rubber gloves.

A few years ago I had a real dilemma, couldn't open my new bottle of gin!!! DH tried too and couldn't manage it either. Was going to take it back to the shop and ask for a swap but before I had chance my son visited and opened it at the first attempt but this was around a week later.

Most kitchen sauces etc are sold in plastic bottles now. You can get horseradish sauce in plastic squeezy bottles.