After the pickle jar problem
@GardenGerty (169448)
United States
March 23, 2022 8:37pm CST
Okay, I posted a discussion about injuring my hand and causing a big bruise around my thumb trying to open a brand new jar of pickles.
Everyone was so nice. They showed me different types of jar openers, and gave lots of advice.
I do plan to buy a jar opener gripper thing, but have not done so yet.
We talked about tapping it, and running hot water on it, etc. Then someone reminded me of something I vaguely have heard of before. They posted a picture of something we call a "church key." It is one of those can and bottle openers that can put a little triangle shape in the top of a can or open up a bottle cap. I have one, somewhere. I could not find it tonight.
I had a big jar of sweet cherries I wanted to use in a recipe. Nothing was going to open that lid. I tried it all.
I could not find my "church key" even though it is on a magnet and should be stuck on some appliance.
I happened to look at the two hand can openers I have, and each of them had a little hook designed to open bottle caps I worked my way around the cherry jar, pulling a bit at the lid, and voila!! It twisted off as smooth as silk.
I am really glad we can discuss just about anything here. Did you remember about using that kind of an opener on a jar?
11 people like this
10 responses
@RubyHawk (99367)
• Atlanta, Georgia
24 Mar 22
I have trouble opening lids but I usually do by running the tip of a sharp knife under the edge of the lid. I used to have a hand can opener with the hook on the end but I don’t know where it is.Probably in a container of old silver ware.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (230350)
• Chile
24 Mar 22
I do it with that although that way the lid doesn´t work so well when I recicle the jar.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (51819)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
24 Mar 22
I've done that too, but it tends to distort the lid, so not so good for closing it again.
@RebeccasFarm (91297)
• United States
24 Mar 22
I think I have oen of those church keys here somewhere..sorry you hurt youself Heather
@jstory07 (148730)
• Roseburg, Oregon
24 Mar 22
You came up with a good idea I am glad it worked out for you.
@Juliaacv (56207)
• Canada
24 Mar 22
I haven't tried using that hook thing on the end of the can opener.
I usually put a towel down on the countertop and turn the bottle I need to open upside down so that the lid is tapped on the towel, sometimes that will break the seal and then quite often I will be able to just twist it off.
Other times I need to take the heavy wood end to a steak knife and gently tap it around the sides of the lid and that will release the seal in order for it to open.
@Fleura (34989)
• United Kingdom
24 Mar 22
I have a couple of jar openers, because I often make jams and chutneys and I'm pretty good at closing those lids tightly, then in a few months' time I struggle to open them! My favourite is a strap wrench (also used for DIY jobs) because it doesn't damage the lid.
As you say, if you can't shift a lid and haven't got any special tool, anything that will prise the edge of the lid outwards will loosen it - a bottle opener works, or even the tip of a knife inside the edge of the lid and twisted a little. After that of course it will never produce a completely air-tight seal again, so if I ever do that I have to remember not to save that particular jar for re-use.
@JudyEv (382036)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Mar 22
Good for you. It's really handy to know these tricks. I might have tried prising a coin under the lid.
