Today's Kitchen Tip: Opening a stuck jar

I hate when I get a jar home and find that no matter what I do, I cannot get the top off.  I try every gadget and method designed by man (or woman) and sometimes the jar just won't open.

Here's what I do.  I take a can opener (often called a church key) and carefully slip the pointed end UNDER the jar lid with the point facing out towards me.  It usually works best where there a gap in the glass threads on the jar.  Then I gently press the opener outwards.  Usually you will hear the air flood into the jar and the top comes off.

A word of warning here....if you press too hard, the can opener may punch a hole in the lid.  If that happens, please be careful when removing the lid because it can become sharp.  I've used a folded kitchen towel to protect my hands.   This sounds scary but I've been opening stuck lids like this for 25+ years and only poked a hole in the lid once.

I have never had a jar that would not open using this method, but please, use it only as a last resort.