Jar lids too tight!?!

[Getitosis]

can someone tell me a great way to get bands and lids off of pint jars that are just on there too damn tight?

aside from using big pliers or channel locks etc. etc. to unscrew them as that just resulted in shards of glass all into my hand just now and blood every freakin where!

no matter how lil bit loose I leave the lids just for this reason they always seem to get too fuckin tight after sitting and colonizing and I'm tired of constantly buying bands from having to pry the damn things off the jars.

can someone please help me with this? would really hot/really cold water help loosen them or what?

[Om shanti]

I would have said run them under the warm tap, but if there are cakes inside it shouldn't get too hot + water shouldn't get inside of course. So maybe just put warm water on a rag, and use that to untighten the lids. That usually works.

[Getitosis]

I tried that just now--no luck; of course my hand's a lil fucked right now so that might have something to do with it idk. luckily these are some contaminated jars, first ones in a long long ass time too I might add.

thanks though om shanti.

[cap]

Originally Posted by Om shanti

I would have said run them under the warm tap, but if there are cakes inside it shouldn't get too hot + water shouldn't get inside of course. So maybe just put warm water on a rag, and use that to untighten the lids. That usually works.

if theyre on THAT tight, i doubt too much water will get in, but if it does, the dry verm layer on top can be scraped off and replaced if it gets soaked. cakes are more or less spent of moisture by the time theyre fully colonized all the way through. a little water wont hurt.

on a side note:
they make these rubber "mats" that are meant to flap over the top of jars of any size (its a big rubber thin circular sheet/mat. flimsy) just gives you a good grip on jars and they pop right off.

another trick that destroys metal rings but works as a last resort or in a pinch is to use a heavy piece of silverware, like a spoon or backside of the blade of a butterknife, and simply knock the edge of the top of the lid all the way around, slightly denting the rim of the lid in several spots, eventually makin ur way all the way around the circular ring. it loosens it and it comes right off but again it destroys your lidring so try to avoid it. i use this trick for pickle jars n salsa n stuff sometimes. it will work for mason jars too.

[Awestruck]

Just like cap, I like using pieces of thin rubber as well. It will give you a sure grip so that all of your tourque energy goes to the jar lid instead of slipping around.

[mestophilies]

If all else fails invest in an under-cabinet jar opener, I use mine regularly and doesn't damage the jar lids at all. good luck friend!

[Getitosis]

thanks friends

I've seen those rubber pieces before, and everytime I go buy bands actually--just never knew what they were for lol! going to pick one or two up tomorrow.

whats this under cabinet can opener thing you speak of mestophilies? I'm interested in this.

[cap]

u can get a jar-opener , its like, red plastic i believe. made by Ball Canning Company for use with their jars (Kerr, same). the under the counter i couldnt help with, sorry

[Rowson]

Ah! finally something I can put my 2 cents into! I had this kind of problem myself and what I did was just tap it on the edge of a counter it doesn't take much and usually after 2 or 3 good taps I can open it just like it was the day I got them! hope that helps a bit

[mestophilies]

Here is the link.... http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...1JN8F5W47WEEKE
Check walmart though, they usually have 'em. Freaking wonderful things, especially for those of us with small hands!!!

[feralronin]

Run a butter knife along the rim, between the rim and the lid. All the way around. Usually does the trick.

[StroFun]

i like to lightly knock the edges of the ring the whole way around with a hammer(hammer time?) the jar and they come off like you had bathed them in butter. mmm butter