Opening jars, with arthritic hands

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

Love the jar key

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.

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

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. 😀

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

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.

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. 😊

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

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

I’m getting a jar key too though. Good advice thanks.

Jars with screw lids which are difficult to open need to be tapped sharply against something hard like a concrete step. You need to knock it hard till you hear the pressure release. I have never failed to open a jar with this method but it does need to be a hard knock against something solid.

Callistemon21

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

Or buy one of these:

I've got one of those and they are brilliant for opening all kinds of things - jars, bottles, packets.

Arlme

Canalboatgranma

Hi, I have a device called a Jar Key, it looks like a bottle opener. You put it against the edge of the jar and it releases the pressure which then makes it easier to open the jar. They seem universally available, eBay, Amazon etc.

Second the jar key it is absolutely brilliant.

Another vote for the jar key, it is excellent for lids on jars but the bleach bottle tops still defeat me.

Thank you all. I knew I could rely on Gransnetters.

I have ordered a jar key, which hopefully will work better than the other two gadgets I already have.

I really think the issue lies with me and my silly weak hands, although I have noticed my husband and my son have struggled to open jars when I hand them over, so it's likely a combination of over tightened lids as well as me not having the strength.

If my husband/son forget to leave the bleach bottle lid loose, I have had to resort to clamping the lid between my teeth to open it!

Oldnproud that gave me such a giggle. Thank you 😊

I use the gadgets mentioned but for opening toilet cleaner or bleach I always use a pair of old fashioned nutcrackers. It always works.

I use a steak knife to lever lids off. Once I hear a pop I know I can twist it off. Boiling water does work well with bottles but DH has to pinch the bleach bottles to open them. They always defeat me.

As I was reading this thread last night I was trying to open a tiny container of lubricating eye gel. I usually get the hospital staff to open it for me but I resorted to boiling water, simples.

It is minute and too small for all of the gadgets I possess.

I even have problems removing the cellophane a lot of jars come wrapped up in nowadays and that is before I reach the dreaded lid!

I am partially sighted so that is a great help.