Getting stuck tops off jars - any tips for what works?

I usually get a blunt knife, lift the lid up on two sides, then turn the lid to.open. Works every time.

Few sharp taps with the rolling pin. Works every time!

Put the kettle on and just hold the jar in the line of the steam - make sure you hold it well away (not near the spout). The lid will expand and make it easy to open .

If I’m trying to release the seal, I hit the edge of the lid a couple of times with a rolling pin. It always works.

When I had a jar which I just couldn't open by any of the usual methods my husband drilled a hole in the top of the lid and it opened right away

I use a sharpe knife to put a hole in the lib, then a pair of rubber gloves. Works everytime. Good luck.

Tea spoon to lever the lid upwards and release the vacuum works most times.

FriedGreenTomatoes2

Get an elastic band and figure-8 it around the lid. This will then give you an excellent grip. Works every time.

That's what I was going to say. I always use a thick elastic band.
Works every time for me.

Running the jar under a hot tap for a minute usually works for me.

Are you in desperate need of the jars??????I would just bin the lot!

I still use the old fashioned kind of tin-opener or bottle opener that has a triangular bit at the top and put the point of that under the jar lid then move the opener upwards.

If you don' t have one of those, find your DH's least favourite scew-driver or chisel and use it.

Or just leave the jars until he comes home.

Screw tops I put in the inside of a cupboard door until it grips tight and then turn.
My old fashioned tin opener has a hook on one handle, so I prise the tight lids off with that to break a stubborn seal.
When I had a Rayburn cooker , I inverted the jars on the hotplate for a few seconds. Worked every time but I've looked at the gas hob.......🤣😂

Can you see the hook on this can operator? Try that under the lid & lift up. Hack I found on YouTube it does work. Failing that I stab through the lid with my veg knife ( be careful though)

Best way is your can opener has a hook type thing on it, open the can as though you are opening a tin of beer. The round button in the middle of the lid will depress down & it should open easily

Not on my new worktop!!

I have opened jars this way for men who have been huffing and puffing trying to unscrew the thing. Bang, open. But I guarantee they will say, I must have loosened it for you. No you didn't!

Cue Irving Berlin.

Anything you unscrew, I unscrew better.
I unscrew anything better that you.
No, you can’t.
Yes I can.
No you can’t.
Yes, I can.
No, you can’t
Yes, I can. Yes, I can.

Silverbrooks

I give jars a fairly sharp bang on the countertop, lids sideways, to release the seal on shop-bought jars. Sometimes you can hear the seal release. Wear something to protect your eyes and maybe rubber gloves just in case the jar shatters although it's never happened to me. Have you tried that already?

Since reading of such methods here on Gransnet, I always resort to them now when necessary,

Never again have I needed to rush out and accost my neighbour on our shared front path (actually, ex-neighbour, though can't think why!) as he arrived home, crying "thank goodness you are here - I need a man"!

I have one of the above. It is brilliant.

I know you've got the lid off now, Witzend but tapping all round the edge of the lid with the back of a knife works.

Otherwise - use one of these, other makes available 🙂

Throwing out of window is pleasing 😁

I was about to throw out an old hot water bottle but instead I cut a piece into a jar lid shape. It's brilliant for opening jars as you get a really firm grip. Prior to that "invention" I always wrapped a thick rubber band round the lid which works too but can be a bit fiddly .

Thanks everybody! The boiling water plus a sharp tap has worked v well for most of them - I have a gadget coming so we shall see for the last few.

I do feel bad about ditching so much, esp. homemade presents, but there’s a limit to how many jars of sundry preserves you can use, even when they’re not 7 years old.

OTOH I’m pleased to say that a jar of M&S pears in white port (BBE Oct 2023) has finally been opened (I had tried before) and they are delicious!

Jarkey is an excellent piece of kit. Do a search. Never failed yet!

'Jarkey' which I bought many years ago from Lakeland, never fails me.

I use my back door jamb it never fails