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Elderly parents
Original poster

Do people open tricky jars by stabbing them with a knife?

131 replies

YesILikeItToo · 04/09/2022 15:15

I’ve just stopped my mother from stabbing a sharp knife into a metal jar lid directly from above. I was pretty shocked, it seems to me obviously dangerous. She said that’s what her mate does. Do people do this? Or is she covering up the fact that she made a poor decision? I’ve seen a couple of other examples of patently unsafe ‘work arounds’ and I’m starting to wonder what to do about it.

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gluenotsoup · 15/10/2022 21:44

Just bash the top with something heavy eg, metal water bottle. Give it a sharp clunk and it’ll undo easily

Daftasabroom · 08/10/2022 16:36

HRTFT tap around the rim of the lid with the back of a knife; all the way round.

CousinTime · 08/10/2022 16:25

JarKey. Does the same thing breaking the seal. No need for other gadgets

Fire Action · 08/10/2022 16:24

I do this to release the vacuum, have done since forever

drspouse · 28/09/2022 12:09

Yes, but I usually use a bradawl. A lot safer than a knife.
I just opened a jar of pickles from Lidl and tried hot water, rubber glove, tea towel, two rubber gloves. None worked. Bradawl did the job first time. Just don't tip it up in the fridge.
We get crushed garlic (KTC brand, much nicer than Lazy Garlic that's always in loads of vinegar) which also has really tight seals but we got one off, once, without piercing it so we save that lid for the next jars.

DahliaMacNamara · 27/09/2022 23:20

Bloody hell, never heard of this, and am stupid and clumsy enough for it to be a really bad idea anyway. I have four alternative methods: steep the lid in hot water, grip with any rubber glove type material to gain purchase, channel my inner rage, or ask a less feeble family member. Never thought of simply releasing the vacuum or whatever it is with a regular bit of cutlery, but that'll go on my list too.

pompomsontheceiling · 27/09/2022 21:48

I do this

Bagzzz · 27/09/2022 21:09

Those that stab due to not having grip strength are you holding the jar at all while you stabbing?

NeverDropYourMooncup · 27/09/2022 21:06

BeyondMyWits · 27/09/2022 20:54

I have an easy jar/bottle opener and arthritis... put the gap in the opener over the lid, wrap a teatowel round the squeezy ends and pull that. You find the adaptations you need over the years.

Show quote history

I've had 45 years so far (since I was 5). You find that some adaptations are not workable over the years - like not being able to pull a teatowel tight enough...

BertieBotts · 27/09/2022 20:57

My mum once, famously, ran down the street after the postman just after her divorce when she had two expectant small children waiting for our marmalade Grin

Piercing the lid is a known trick but it surely carries a risk of slipping, the knife missing, the whole jar slipping off the counter etc.

PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister · 27/09/2022 20:55

I did this with a jar of jam yesterday to break the seal. Completely normal.

BeyondMyWits · 27/09/2022 20:54

NeverDropYourMooncup · 27/09/2022 19:25

At £2.99 for a pointy chef's knife (never my Japanese set!), I can live with the expense.

It's certainly cheaper than the money wasted on every sort of Easy Jar Opener, all of which require grip strength, squeezing or pressure and various twisting positions in assorted planes of motion that just ain't gonna happen when the joints and tendons of your fingers, palms, thumbs, wrists, elbows and shoulders are busy being chewed up by inflammatory arthritis.

A serial killer hold is, however, relatively painless to sustain.

Show quote history

I have an easy jar/bottle opener and arthritis... put the gap in the opener over the lid, wrap a teatowel round the squeezy ends and pull that. You find the adaptations you need over the years.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 27/09/2022 19:53

lljkk · 27/09/2022 19:52

Also, if you stab the lid... doesn't the lid shed micro particles of metal into the jar contents? Doesn't sound good.

Better than macro particles of glass from dropping the cunting thing.

lljkk · 27/09/2022 19:52

Also, if you stab the lid... doesn't the lid shed micro particles of metal into the jar contents? Doesn't sound good.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 27/09/2022 19:25

purplecorkheart · 27/09/2022 19:13

I tend to hit the side of jar lid with the back of a butter knife a few times. Does stabbing it with a sharp knife not damage the knife.

At £2.99 for a pointy chef's knife (never my Japanese set!), I can live with the expense.

It's certainly cheaper than the money wasted on every sort of Easy Jar Opener, all of which require grip strength, squeezing or pressure and various twisting positions in assorted planes of motion that just ain't gonna happen when the joints and tendons of your fingers, palms, thumbs, wrists, elbows and shoulders are busy being chewed up by inflammatory arthritis.

A serial killer hold is, however, relatively painless to sustain.

DrinkFeckArseGirls · 27/09/2022 19:15

Put the end of small spoon under the lid to release the pressure, no need for the tip of the knife (not to me rion thw stabbing 🫣).

purplecorkheart · 27/09/2022 19:13

I tend to hit the side of jar lid with the back of a butter knife a few times. Does stabbing it with a sharp knife not damage the knife.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 27/09/2022 19:04

lljkk · 27/09/2022 05:29

Doesn't the lid-banging end up damaging the work top?

Put jar on counter (after your hands hurt and it won't shift with gloves, tapping, spoons, whispering magical incantations and giving up on the patented jar openers because they need even more grip strength and the ability to twist without pain than the jars themselves), mutter 'for fuck's sake', get big pointy knife, hold jar with sore left hand lower down, tee up the pointy knife, lift and with gravity and annoyance, stab the fucker in the middle of the lid.

The jar makes a hissing noise as it gives up, you put the knife down safely, open the jar and enjoy your pickles before putting the now suitably chastised jar into the fridge.

Nugg · 27/09/2022 05:42

Get a jar key

Jarkey Food & Jam Jar Vacuum Releaser & Opener amzn.eu/d/cyUAJEt

lljkk · 27/09/2022 05:29

Doesn't the lid-banging end up damaging the work top?

NeverDropYourMooncup · 26/09/2022 22:04

BWatson · 26/09/2022 11:52

They are likely going to end stabbing that sharp knife into there thighs if they keep doing this

Don't people have kitchen countertops where you are? I certainly do - and when you don't have the grip strength to open a sodding jar of gherkins, you don't have enough strength to hold the slippery little bastards between your thighs.

QuietNeighbour · 26/09/2022 16:53

Bottle opener is far and away the least bother and least potential for injury

BWatson · 26/09/2022 11:52

They are likely going to end stabbing that sharp knife into there thighs if they keep doing this

MereDintofPandiculation · 05/09/2022 10:44

ofwarren · 04/09/2022 15:16

I do. It breaks the seal.

Only problem I’ve had inserting a knife between jar and cap to break the seal is bending (and once snapping off) the tip of the knife blade.

Does anyone have any solutions for “push down and twist” or “press and twist” bottle tops? I’m OK once in as I can saw off lugs or otherwise adapt the top, it’s getting in in the first place that nearly defeats me

TheSummerPalace · 05/09/2022 09:24

Yes, it’s normal in my family!