Sainsbury's Plum Chutney

Yes, Jarkey for me too. I got mine from Lakeland.

Mae13, yes both available from Amazon

M0nica

I do the same as WWM2, I take a sharp knife with a pointed end and ram it through the lid to break the seal.

Me too.
I've rammed it into my fingers at times, too.
Oh boy, that hurts!!

I always use one of these. It breaks the vacuum and makes it easy to open the jar.

I ordered a Jarkey from Amazon when this topic came up before. It really works. Every home should have one.

Auntieflo

*Mae13*, I see that you have solved your problem, but I have both of these in the kitchen drawer, and they are excellent at opening jars and other tough to open tops, i.e. bleach bottles.

Me too.. Invaluable if you have arthritic hands

Auntieflo: are they available from Amazon?

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202403/medium-150628-img-6036.png https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202403/medium-446300-img-6035.png

Mae13, I see that you have solved your problem, but I have both of these in the kitchen drawer, and they are excellent at opening jars and other tough to open tops, i.e. bleach bottles.

Lakeland has the gadget we use to break the seal, but safer than stabbing the lid with a carving knife!

A few ideas to try there! I have at least 2 jars of jam which must be past their date now but I've kept them in the hope that I might find a way to open them.

I find those silicone gripping mats work a treat too.

I do the same as WWM2, I take a sharp knife with a pointed end and ram it through the lid to break the seal.

Pierce the lid.

I do the same Askalice. Works a treat.

I use the shed door jamb works every time

www.lakeland.co.uk/26838/2-jar-opener-lid-grippers?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIo7eE5tXWhAMV1pJQBh3VDgFDEAQYASABEgKL6vD_BwE

I see you've done it but I tap all round the edges of the lid smartly with the back of a knife. It releases the seal.
Rubber gloves work but those rubber mats from Lakeland designed to grip lids are better.

I hope the chutney wasn't as solid!

I've got one of those grippy things. I didn't want to give in to my feeble hands, but I got so fed up with looking longingly at unopened jars.

Pour half an inch of very hot kettle water into bowl and place the jar in it, lid down. Leave a minute or so and it should then unscrew.

There is a kitchen gadget called “Jarkey” which i can recommend. I find opening jars easy.

I find banging the edges of the lid on a chopping board loosens almost any lid. Glad to hear you finally got the blooming thing open!

Success! I held the jar under the hot tap and very carefully used a chub screwdriver on it. I deserve a medal.

OK.

Screwdriver under the lid - just to break the seal

I have a jar of strawberry jam, and I'm having exactly the same problem. It has defeated us both and is now languishing in the cupboard.