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littlemissmartypants

(25,910 posts)
Tue Dec 28, 2021, 02:39 PM Dec 2021

By request my jar opening trick...

My mom taught me this trick and she learned it from her mom. I'm guessing it was shared by my great gran as well.

~Find a strong flat surface like the counter top.

~Point the jar straight down, lid first and forcefully slam the jar flush against the counter. It will make a really loud noise and if you are not alone you may want to warn everyone present. I have unintentionally scared people with this trick.

~The seal on the jar is immediately broken and the jar lid can be twisted open with little effort.

I hope you find this as helpful as I have through the years.

❤pants

26 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
By request my jar opening trick... (Original Post) littlemissmartypants Dec 2021 OP
I've known that trick for a long time. PoindexterOglethorpe Dec 2021 #1
I have never had to use more than one try. You may not be hitting it hard enough. littlemissmartypants Dec 2021 #2
And you have to be careful not to crack the counter top... brush Dec 2021 #14
My mom had one of these and now I have it. Mines a lot like this one but probably an early brewens Dec 2021 #3
Very cool. Thanks for sharing! ❤ littlemissmartypants Dec 2021 #4
Thanks, just ordered one! MLAA Dec 2021 #22
Whack the corner of the cap in 4 places with the back-side (opposite the blade) of a cheap knife Hugh_Lebowski Dec 2021 #5
Too much effort for me. I can do it in one whack without tools or clean up. ❤ littlemissmartypants Dec 2021 #10
Sometimes it works with just one decent ding along the rim ... Hugh_Lebowski Dec 2021 #15
I'm going to stick with my method. But it never hurts to have a plan 'B' I guess. littlemissmartypants Dec 2021 #16
You literally can use a table knife, the sharpness is not relevant as you don't use the 'edge' Hugh_Lebowski Dec 2021 #19
It may seem dangerous but I have never had a mishap or an injury. littlemissmartypants Dec 2021 #24
The glove was used when he was trying as hard as he could to cause the bottle to break Hugh_Lebowski Dec 2021 #25
Uhhhmmm...can you give the specs for this trick in joules or ergs psi or something'? ret5hd Dec 2021 #6
I'ma say less ... less joules than that ... Hugh_Lebowski Dec 2021 #7
Wrong end. The lidded end is the one you slam. littlemissmartypants Dec 2021 #11
Another option... True Dough Dec 2021 #8
Hahaha! ❤ littlemissmartypants Dec 2021 #12
Rubber Glove bucolic_frolic Dec 2021 #9
Thanks for the share, bucolic_frolic. ❤ littlemissmartypants Dec 2021 #13
We use something called a JarPop Wicked Blue Dec 2021 #17
Interesting, thanks. ❤ littlemissmartypants Dec 2021 #18
Should you caution people ... Xoan Dec 2021 #20
Or their foreheads... littlemissmartypants Dec 2021 #21
Sharing with permission and on behalf of warpy from DU Mail titled 'Jars' ... littlemissmartypants Dec 2021 #23
Just turn the jar upside down and smack the bottom Totally Tunsie Dec 2021 #26

littlemissmartypants

(25,910 posts)
2. I have never had to use more than one try. You may not be hitting it hard enough.
Tue Dec 28, 2021, 02:46 PM
Dec 2021

You really need to have the lid flat and slam it really hard. You can literally hear the seal break. ❤

brush

(58,042 posts)
14. And you have to be careful not to crack the counter top...
Tue Dec 28, 2021, 03:04 PM
Dec 2021

or individual tile on the floor if you use the floor. The method does work.

 

Hugh_Lebowski

(33,643 posts)
5. Whack the corner of the cap in 4 places with the back-side (opposite the blade) of a cheap knife
Tue Dec 28, 2021, 02:50 PM
Dec 2021

making indentations roughly every 90 degrees, right on the corner of the cap.

If it doesn't work add a couple more, but whack it a bit harder this time.

Essentially doing the same thing as what you describe, but you won't make so much noise, won't damage a counter, the bottle will (probably) never shatter in your hand, etc. Just don't use like a really nice knife

 

Hugh_Lebowski

(33,643 posts)
15. Sometimes it works with just one decent ding along the rim ...
Tue Dec 28, 2021, 03:05 PM
Dec 2021

No clean up, and who doesn't have at least one old knife laying around?

Just sayin

littlemissmartypants

(25,910 posts)
16. I'm going to stick with my method. But it never hurts to have a plan 'B' I guess.
Tue Dec 28, 2021, 03:12 PM
Dec 2021

But no knife tricks for me. I'm highly accident prone.

 

Hugh_Lebowski

(33,643 posts)
19. You literally can use a table knife, the sharpness is not relevant as you don't use the 'edge'
Tue Dec 28, 2021, 03:38 PM
Dec 2021

Your call, but I honestly think it's considerably safer than what you're describing in the OP

littlemissmartypants

(25,910 posts)
24. It may seem dangerous but I have never had a mishap or an injury.
Tue Dec 28, 2021, 07:20 PM
Dec 2021

And I've been using it since I learned how to cook when I was in Junior High which is quite a while. I appreciate your concern for my safety, though.

Because I have small hands, I am sure that wearing a glove isn't a good idea for me. I would most likely end up with a rouge jar sliding out of my hand into the air and directly to broken on the floor.

But thanks for sharing your technique. I'm sure there are some here that may find it helpful. To each their own.

 

Hugh_Lebowski

(33,643 posts)
25. The glove was used when he was trying as hard as he could to cause the bottle to break
Tue Dec 28, 2021, 08:19 PM
Dec 2021

in order to demonstrate that his method was safe ... you don't need to use a glove normally

Just watch the first 30 seconds of the video, so you understand what I'm talking about here ... I don't care if you DO it, I just want you to understand the method

littlemissmartypants

(25,910 posts)
11. Wrong end. The lidded end is the one you slam.
Tue Dec 28, 2021, 03:01 PM
Dec 2021

And it's meant to be a full, sealed jar. ❤

bucolic_frolic

(47,622 posts)
9. Rubber Glove
Tue Dec 28, 2021, 02:58 PM
Dec 2021

Don't have to wear it, just lay it across the top and open like normal. Rubber is great for gripping anything that needs twisting. Car parts, stuck vacuum cleaner hoses (the old metal type), etc.

littlemissmartypants

(25,910 posts)
23. Sharing with permission and on behalf of warpy from DU Mail titled 'Jars' ...
Tue Dec 28, 2021, 07:07 PM
Dec 2021

> > If a jar contains a high amount of liquid, anything from pickles to bottled juices, smack them on the bottom with your palm a few times. That's enough to break the seal and make them a little easier to open. Yes, it works on glass jars.
> >
> > For high viscosity things like spaghetti sauce, I haul out the old church key (beer can opener) and use the pointed end to pry the lid enough to release the pressure.
> >
> > You can also open bottles of corked wine when the corkscrew has grown legs and run into hiding by smacking the bottom smartly and repeatedly against a surface. The cork gradually works itself out of the neck of the bottle. Just be careful to pick a forgiving surface like wood, something you don't mind denting. Fence posts are good. I understand the more fearless gopniks routinely use cement surfaces but I'm not a gopnik and not that brave.
> >
> > This PSA brought to you by 60 years of rheumatoid arthritis and a solitary lifestyle.

Special thanks!

Totally Tunsie

(10,885 posts)
26. Just turn the jar upside down and smack the bottom
Wed Dec 29, 2021, 06:02 PM
Dec 2021

with your open hand. You'll hear a "pop" as the pressure within the jar changes. Turn the jar right side up and twist open. Have done this for years - no counter needed!

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