How to Open a Tight Jar

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Everyone's had to deal with a tight jar in their lives. Sometimes it can feel as if the lid is glued on. There are lots of methods for opening a jar, whether you have helpful tools nearby or not. Although it's tempting, brute force will rarely produce the desired results with stubborn jars.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Getting a Grip on the Jar

1
Wrap a rag around the lid and twist before trying anything else. Jars are usually pretty easy to open once you can get a good grip on it. Wrap a thin rag around the top of the jar. Then, wrap your stronger hand around the lid and twist anti-clockwise as hard as you can. The increased grip from the rag should make twisting the lid off much easier.^{[1]
X
Research source}
2
Put an elastic band on the lid if the rag doesn't work. An alternative method of getting a grip on the lid is using an elastic band. Stretch an elastic band around a lid so that it grips all the sides tight. Then, use your dominant hand to twist the jar anti-clockwise. Your hand will be able to grip onto the elastic band as you twist, making the jar easier to open.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- If one elastic band doesn't do the trick, you can wrap several around the lid for more stubborn jars.
Advertisement
3
Layer plastic wrap over the lid to get lots of grip. Layer a large sheet of plastic wrap over the lid so that it's completely covered. Grip the lid with your dominant hand, letting the plastic crumple inwards towards the lid. Then, twist anti-clockwise as hard as you can. The plastic wrap will grip to the moisture in your hand. The more grip you have, the easier it is to twist a lid off a jar.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- Once you get the lid off, layer plastic wrap over the jar before putting the lid back on. This will make twisting the lid off much easier next time you need to.^{[4]
  X
  Research source}
4
Wear rubber gloves if you have them before twisting the lid open. Wearing rubber gloves to open a lid has a similar effect to layering plastic wrap over a jar. But rubber gloves are more flexible as you can grip the lid in whichever way is more comfortable for you. Grip the lid as tightly as you can with your dominant hand and twist anti-clockwise. The rubber gloves will give you more grip on the lid, making it easier to twist open.^{[5]
X
Research source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using Tools to Break the Air Seal

1
Tap the lid with a wooden spoon first. Put the closed jar on a flat surface. Grip a wooden spoon in your dominant hand. Pick 6 evenly-spaced spots around the circumference of the lid and tap them firmly with the head of the spoon. Then, try to screw the lid off with your dominant hand. It should be easier to twist off.
- Tapping the edge of the lid causes air bubbles to rise, loosening the seal of the lid.^{[6]
  X
  Research source}
2
Use a bottle opener to pry open the lid if you've got one nearby. A bottle opener will usually have a hooked edge to pry under the lids of bottles. Jam the hook under the lid of the jar and pry it upwards. If you hear an audible hiss you've managed to break the air seal. Twist the lid off with your dominant hand.^{[7]
X
Research source}
3
Rinse the lid in hot water if you don't have other tools. Put the lid of the jar under a stream of hot water and slowly rotate it for 1 minute. The hot water will expand the molecules of the lid, making it easier to pry off. After the minute is over, dry the jar. Hold a rag in your dominant hand and use it to screw the lid off.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- If you don't have a source of constant hot water, you can make a hot water bath instead. Fill a large bowl with hot water. Then, invert a jar and plunge the entirety of the lid into the bath for a full minute. Take the jar off, dry it with a rag, then twist anti-clockwise with your dominant hand to open the lid.
4
Smack the bottom of the jar with your hand to create air bubbles. Hold the jar by the lid at a 45-degree angle with your non-dominant hand. Stretch your dominant hand out, then smack the bottom of the jar firmly with your palm. This force should send air bubbles up towards the lid.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- You may need to smack the bottom of the jar several times to get the desired effect.
5
Tap the bottom of the jar against a table if smacking it doesn't work. With your non-dominant hand, hold the desired jar at a 45-degree angle from the lid. Then, using the edge of a firm surface such as a counter or table, tap the lid against the edge. This will send air bubbles up through the jar which will help break the air seal.^{[10]
X
Research source}
- Do not tap the jar too hard. You can risk damaging the jar or even breaking it.
6
Use an open flame to heat up the lid as a last resort. Do not try this method if you are not an adult. Hold the jar by the bottom and lower the lid towards an open flame. The flame of a gas cooker works best. Slowly rotate the lid around, letting the flame heat up the lid. This process shouldn't take more than a minute. If you see the lid start to bubble or drip, immediately remove it from the heat.
- This heat, much like the hot water, expands the molecules making it easier to open.^{[11]
  X
  Research source}
- Make sure to open the lid with a thick rag or gloves after heating it as you could accidentally burn yourself. Twist the lid counter-clockwise with your dominant hand.

Community Q&A

Question

How do you loosen a tight plastic lid?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Running hot water over the lid may help loosen it. If possible, use a rubber jar grip or dishwashing glove to help create more friction when you twist the cap off. If that doesn’t work, you might be able to get the lid off using a wrench or slip joint pliers.
Question

How do you release a vacuum sealed jar lid?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

If you’re opening a jar with a two-piece vacuum sealed lid, such as a Mason jar, you’ll have to take the ring band off first. Ideally, the ring band should have been removed immediately after the jar was sealed. If not, you might need to use a rubber grip or manual jar opener to get it off. Next, use the edge of a spoon or the blade of a butter knife to lever off the flat lid. If that doesn’t work, try a church key or bottle cap remover, but take care not to chip the glass.
Question

How do you open an airtight steel container?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Running the lid under hot water may help the metal lid expand and make it easier to take it off. Depending on whether the lid screws on or has some other type of seal, you might also be able to break the seal by sliding a flat metal object, such as a butter knife blade, between the lid and the body of the container and prying the lid loose.