I try two things if I run into that problem. Run the top of the jar under hot water for a while, or bang the jar top on the floor, preferably on a carpeted floor.

They usually work. Even banging the top with the handle of a kitchen knife works to loosen it also.

Doesn't work on a plastic lid on a plastic jar.

And I've been around for a while. If one method doesn't work, try the others.

But thank you for posting. I will definitely keep this is mind.

I have had some issues trying to open some bottles lately. The usual suggestions listed above (hot water, banging the top) have not worked. And I am not weak. Luckily, although I tried several times, I have decided to give up before doing the kind of damage you describe. I really feel sorry that you are going through it. What has worked in my case: putting those bottles in the microwave for a minute or so.

But you are right, regarding glass jars with metal lids.

I keep a strap wrench, the kind used on PVC pipe, in the kitchen for opening jars. It will open any jar.

has a Philips screwdriver and a hammer.
Center the Philips screwdriver in the center of the lid,
hold the metal part with thumb and index finger,
using the little finger to wrap around the lid, [it can slid across the top]
and hit the top of the top of the handle until it pierces the lid.
I put tape over the hole in the lid.
My friend uses a paint can opener, slips it under the lid and twists,
and you can hear it pop. I can't seem to line it up right.

they can be a real beast

and try to open the jar. They help.

Hope that you fully recover. And thanks for sharing, that will help some of us out there.

I injured both arms doing a similar twisting motion. Both arms were black and blue from wrist to elbow.

30 years later, I still have problems.

I'm so sorry to hear that something like this has happened to you.

and elsewhere i'm sure. For future uses of course as it's not going to solve your current problem.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07LFJ6RV4/

I have a similar one but it's hand held. Works on small to large sized lids.

https://a.co/d/6HGooSv

we had a red rubber disk they called a ‘rubber husband’. they were a common advertising freebie.
but a spoon works well as a lever to break the seal.

but it sure does suck to get old. i have found ways to hurt myself that i wd never have dreamed of when i was young.

I looked online a couple years ago, looking for tools for my friend. You could get 1 tool or a bundle that included the gripper mat. Some of the tools are multiuse, even a flat key for popping tabs Comes in handy for cat food cans.

but can't seem to figure out how to share a link without potentially sharing too much about my past transactions. So here goes:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/7F6C1B64-D570-4EDD-BFD9-472643060B23?is_byline_deeplink=true&redirect_store_id=FAE23322-21A7-4FDE-8488-328881430B01&ref_=ast_bln&lp_asin=B0BKP8Y8S5&brandname=Otstar]

I only got a jar opener tool for less than 10 bucks, but there are multi-piece sets, too, that can be seen through the "Otstar store".

Little, everyday things we never had to think about... little, minor injuries that used to heal in a day or two.

I pulled a muscle in my upper arm.... about 4 months ago. Still feels like I pulled it yesterday.

What a shame and too many people are injured that way. When I have that much of a problem opening a container, I wonder why on earth they have to be so hard. I hate it when it's a plastic lid on a plastic bottle and the bottle deforms while I try to get the lid off.

I have vice grips for the worst. I have a gripper mat that helps sometimes. I keep a church key bottle opener for lids on glass jars. I put the pointed end under the lip of the jar, reversing the position from if I were using it to punch a hole in a can top, and gently push downward. It breaks the seal. For future reference.

Let us know how you do.

There's a brand of kosher pickles that I like. The lid is impossible to get open even though I run the lid under hot water in the kitchen sink and I attempt to use a rubber jar gripper.

The last time I ran the hot water and used the rubber jar gripper I still couldn't get the lid off. I took a very large kitchen knife and flipped the knife upside down and gently tapped on the lid a few times and went back to use the rubber jar gripper and the lid came right off.


I recently purchased the capped Bic Cristal ink pens. I couldn't get the caps off on any of the 10 count of pens. I literally had to use one blade of the pair of scissors right underneath the cap to push the cap off. I had to do this on all 10 of the ink pens because I couldn't remove the caps. The caps literally went flying across the room but I was able to remove all the caps.


I don't believe that this has anything to do with the fact that we're getting older or weaker.


I'm sending you healing vibes, Grasswire2.

What you are looking for is "Rubber Strap Wrench Set, 2 Piece" They only cost about $5. They do not work well on small lids but will help a lot on the big ones. We use them and they save a lot of wear and tear on older hands. Hope this helps someone.

It works and won't, doesn't cost much, and you won't strain or injure yourself.

?auto=webp&width=1200&height=1200&canvas=1200,1200&fit=bounds

Both my wife and I like this one

Just for clarification.

All the good hints for glass jar w metal lid don't work for plastic jar plastic lid.

Useful hints, they are, for pickle jars and the like.

I've now got 4 jar openers all different and not one of them works on all sizes. So I'm constantly having to try two before I get the right one. And when they are not where they are supposed to be and I have to start looking around I get irritated. I've ended up cutting the top off plastic jars when I couldn't find the opener fast enough.

Even bottles of water are getting difficult because they are too small.

Hope your hand improves. When they hurt its hard to ignore. And not being able to use is frustrating.

I used to have corpal tunnel pain from crocheting and from filing when I worked snd the Dr. Gave me a Procare Mason Allen Brace that helped a lot.

https://images.app.goo.gl/fpENHYWXcNhu8XR39

It's simple and it works. Check out this short video.

https://youtube.com/shorts/4HgIKZxmgqE?si=0gCLT0oUANQk4w0D

A kitchen butter knife works too.

I put a towel on the edge of the counter and tap the lid until it finally loosens up. Sometimes it takes a few tries to loosen the bond. Be easy if it’s a glass jar.

The manufacturers have made it difficult to open jars, boxes, packaging, anything. It’s almost like they’ve created an exercise in intentionally causing frustration, stress, and physical harm in your case.

Don't be like Scottie Scheffler (the golfer) who got cut up with a glass.

Just joking.

Hope the specialist can help resolve the situation.