An Adaptive Method To Open Tight Jars



Tired of struggling to open jars? Me too. There are many techniques and gadgets out there that claim to help make opening jars easier. Some work better than others. Here is a method that doesn’t require buying any additional kitchen gadgets.

First, let’s discuss why jars are hard to open. Jars are sealed by pressure. The contents of the jar are under a vacuum. The vacuum is maintained by a thin rubber layer between the lid and the rim of the jar. This acts against turning the lid as well. While we cannot remove the rubber, we can remove the vacuum to ease the effort needed to open the lid.

To do this you will need either an ice pick, awl, or a knife with a sharp tip. You will use the sharp device to puncture a small hole in the top of the lid. Place the sharp tip near the center of the lid holding it so the end of the device is open and not covered by your hand. Use a heavy wooden spoon, rolling pin, or some other weighty object to hit the end of your sharp device. A firm tap is all that is required. Start easy and hit again if you don’t break through the first time. A tiny pin hole is all that is needed.

When successful you will hear a pop as the vacuum releases. Now the majority of the resistance should be gone making the top much easier to open. You may wonder how a hole will affect the function of the lid to prevent spilling. A simple fix is to cover the hole with a piece of scotch tape.

This can also be done one handed if needed. Simply grasp the ice pick firmly in your hand and give the lid a solid stab. Again, much force is not required. So start with little force and work up as needed. This method is slightly more dangerous, so be sure to place the jar well away from your body just in case you miss. 

Of course, this method may not be needed for every jar. So, give the jar one to two tries before putting a hole in the top if desired. Also, this method will not work for non-vacuum sealed containers like plastic drink bottles. However, it can save a lot of effort when used on vacuum sealed jars.


By David F. Garner OTR/L, AC

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