Jars that are impossible to open

[cheapskatemum]

I keep a jar of mixed peppers in oil for occasions when I need peppers for a recipe, don't have any fresh ones & CBA to go to shops (long walk to nearest shop).

Just such an occasion has arisen and I can't open the jar. So far I've tried:

• upending it & placing in a bowl with hot water to expand the metal lid.
• piercing the lid to break the vacuum
• using those grippy things so my hands don't slip on the glass or lid.

Neither have worked - any other ideas? I'm beginning to think that going to the shops & buying a fresh red pepper is the easier option!

Sorry none, not neither, have worked.

Have you tried giving the side of the lid a few sharp taps against a solid surface? That often helps.

Hit the side of the lid with the back of a butter/dinner knife. Hit in multiple spots

Smack the side of the lid on the countertop. Some people hit it with a wooden spoon but the unit works just fine.

Not immediately helpful but I just use a jar opener and it's never failed me, I can rarely get them open.

Did you manage to actually pierce the lid? I always find a spoon under the edge works but if you've already pierced it that's not going to work.

bang the side of the lid on the counter. I've never had any problem opening a jar.

Spoon under an edge...

Whack the side of the lid with a wooden spoon - works every time

Yes tap the corner of the lid on a hard surface, I do it on the floor. Never failed me yet.

Just put it under warm water tap

I think you really have to believe you can open the jar so you use all your strength.
Or you could try sticking a knife all round between the jar and the lid to ease it a bit and then rinse in hot water again in case there's chemical bonding.

Handle end of spoon under lid back of spoon facing jar and push. Always works for me

Thank you all - I'm off to give it a bang against the counter top. Think that will be cathartic!

Whack the surface of lid with a wooden spoon and then firmly tap the bottom of the jar on the worktop.

that usually breaks the vacum.

Yay, that worked! Thank you kind & wise MNers,

At the risk of re-animating a zombie thread which stubbornly refuses to die, you might find some useful advice in here:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/mumsnet_classics/3965073-Cant-get-the-fricking-lids-off-these-jars

Use a bottle opener, like you would for a bottle of beer. Or tin openers usually have a similar sort of jutting out bit which works to open bottles. It breaks the seal and the lid then twists easily off.

For future recipes, frozen peppers aren't too bad for bunging in a dish.

Oh no! Not only have I risked bring a Zombie thread back, I see you have solved the problem.

Cancel the Zombie :-)