We bought a Black & Decker Lids Off jar opener for my in-laws and they really like it. I'll be interested to read what other people suggest. I don't have any counterspace to spare but this really is quite functional.

seagrass

Here is a link that might be useful: Lids Off

I put on a pair of rubber gloves and then open the jar. That seems to work for most, and it's easier on your hands too.

If that doesn't work then my never fail gadget it one of these:

And I've tried most every sophisticated gadget but this is the one that works every time. Clamp it around the lid, press ends together tightly and hold with right hand while you twist the jar in the opposite direction with left hand.
It doesn't even have a brand name on it, but it's better than anything else I've ever used. As I say...it never fails!

SharonCb

I have the same problem. Sometimes I think of those 12 years I lived alone, cooked for myself all of the time and never needed anyone to open a jar for me. Now I can't seem to open jars anymore. I'm with Sharon - rubber gloves seem to work better for me than any jar opener I've ever tried. I run it under some hot running water sometimes too.

I'm another one who uses rubber gloves as the ideal jar opener.

Ah yes, it's a bit startling, isn't it. I have two jar openers, this one on one side of the kitchen (this is the best one), and this one on the other side. I like them because they are small and fit into drawers. I do have other things I use, but these give a little extra leverage and I've never had them fail.

I now throw one into my "kitchen pack" when I travel. I also use the tried and true "bang the top of the jar on the cutting board a few times" method, it works, but not reliably.

If you can break the vac. seal then the jar opens up a lot more easily. I have a certain thin handled spoon that I always reach for if I can't open a jar. I slip it under the lid, pop the seal and the lid will twist off. NancyLouise

I to do like NancyLouise and pop the seal with something. I usually use a table knife that fits under the rim and sometimes I'll give the bottom of the jar a good bang with the heel of my hand. That forces the pressure in the jar to the top and will pop the vacuum seal most of the time.
Mindy

I rap the side edge of the lid hard on the counter and that always works for me. If you're going to use all the contents of the jar and discard it, you can stab through the lid with a small sharp knife or ice pick to break the seal.
Funny story- at work in a cafe one day we were having a little trouble opening a gallon jar of sundried tomatoes. Quick as a wink, before our horrified eyes the kitchenhand stabbed a hole through the lid. Yes, we got the jar open. But we _had_ been planning on closing it again..........

What I do is similar to wearing rubber gloves. I put one of the fat rubber bands around the lid. Either way, that gives a bit more friction so more force can be applied to the jar lid. But really stuck lids can still take a lot of effort.

Leverage allows even more force to be applied - so I just ordered the opener momj47 recommended. Thanks momj!

Like Nancy & Mindy I break the seal but I use a church key to do it. I can usually fit the point under the edge of the lid but if I have a really stubborn lid I've been known to place the church key on the lid as if I was going to actually use it & lift up until the point just dimples the lid. This has never failed. I keep a nutcracker on hand for really stubborn small caps.

These are tricks that I got from my mom who had terrible arthritis & didn't want to wait around for somebody to come & open her jars for her.

Nina

This gadget is great - Jessica gave me one and I need to find some more for friends having the same problem.

I have one similar to this one. I have found that the triangular ones work better than the one that are hinged or that have movable parts. Mine is not mounted, and it has a rubber strip on one inside edge, and it also has an interior hole with teeth for very small lids.

Lars

Renee, I have the same problem. I was always able to open bottles and jars. Even those that Moe couldn't. Stacy sent me one of the jar openers that Momj47 mentioned above. Works great.

"Quick as a wink, before our horrified eyes the kitchenhand stabbed a hole through the lid. Yes, we got the jar open. But we _had_ been planning on closing it again.........."

Lay the lid upside down on a hard surface and hit the sharp points with a hammer, place a sandwhich bag over the top of the jar and replace the lid. Sealed.

I did some research before purchasing one for Sherry/Sheshebop taking arthritis into account. I ended up sending her this one. I hope she has found it helpful. I got one for myself too, I have enjoyed the convenience of opening jars of all sizes quickly. It does come with a non-slip disk.

Here is a link that might be useful: Jar opener

Sharon, I'm admiring that red tile countertop. Pretty!

I wonder if Latex gloves would work? I always have those around for when I mix oils. Didn't even think of trying those.

Deagrass, I've eyeballed one of the Black and Decker jobs for MIL, but you're the first person I've found whose bought/used one so I wasn't sure. I'll give that and the one Lars suggested another look. Since MIL and I have problems gripping, those look like something we can (literally) get our hands around.

Between us, MIL and I have about four different version of the "ratchet" or "plier" opener, including the one in the first link Momj47 showed. None work reliably for either of us. She can't grip the handle due to fused thumb joints. I can't seem to grip it very tightly; the "ring" part just slides against the lid.

And I guess I should dig out DH's hand exerciser from when he played guitar. I'm too young to have my joints failing on me like this!

I should have hyped the little jar-popper gadget more - it's really great. You just hook it on, lift up slightly (no strength needed), and it pops the vacuum seal, then the lid screws off with no effort.

I the past, DH has done the stick the lid with a knife trick. LOL.

Gina, Now I know why Jessy asked me if I thought about the Jar Popper.

Mom always wacked the edge of the jar with the handle of butter knife or the wood handle of a heavy duty spatula. She hits it at an angle in the direction the lid would screw off. She is 65 and still doing the same thing. Works for her.

David

Gina, thanks for that info! I got one from Jessy also, but I didn't know that was what it was for. I thought it was for removing pop-top jar lids (Do they still make those?). I'll have to give it a try the next time I open a jar of Italian Giardina pickles.

Lars

OMG Lars I am laughing so hard you put me in a coughing spasm. I needed that!

Gina, I haven't discounted it! :) I'm going to check BB&B to see if they have one. Heck, it will either work or we can add it to the ever-growing collection of what doesn't work. Prying upward, I can do. Twisting is what's killing my wrist and elbow.

David, in the past that's always been my "when all else fails" trick. I think the Classico jars are impervious to it! Still works on smooth edged jars pretty well, though. :)

Ann, I like the arrow on that one. I'm dyslexic (though I usually compensate pretty well after all these years) and when the lid won't move I'm sometimes not sure if I'm right in the wrong direction. :^)

Boy, I hear ya all. For 20 years, I was a Navy wife, and for many of those years, hubby was "out to sea". I learned a couple of those tricks, including the rubber gloves or a piece of rubber over the jar lid, and rapping on the lid to break the seal.

What seemed to work for me for years was to turn the jar over, and rap the lid on the floor (cement with a laminate flooring) lightly in three or four places. Turn the jar back on its bottom and then open normally. I wouldn't try that on my new kitchen tile flooring though (would be more likely to try it out on the bathroom floor, which still has laminate flooring).

I think part of the problem is that seals are getting TIGHTER because of all the attempts to perpetrate our food after its been through the processing plant.

DonnaR/CA

The Black & Decker appliance was something that helped my in-laws when Pop developed tremors so bad that he couldn't hold any of the other gadgets, or manage to get his hand around a lid at all. So it wasn't just about strength, or agility - he has trouble with the overall target.

seagrass

I always remember "lefty-loosey, righty-tighty".

That JarPop that Gina mentioned is fantastic, it's the only one I'll use now... Fits nicely into the silverware tray, nothing to break, a quick swish in water if you want to clean it ( although I've never got anything on it )... After trying it for the first time I immediately went out and bought a second one, just in case... lol

Rita

The Jar Pop works great. If you have trouble finding one, try the baby food aisle - they usually hang a few around there.

I like the jar wrench shown on this page,http://www.redhillgeneralstore.com/A48555.htm
it has worked well for me over time.

I'm going to cover two bases, I think. Since MIL can't grip well at all, I'll get her the Black and Decker gizmo. And since twisting is what kills my wrist (and I am jealous about my precious little counter space), I'll get the popper thing for me. :) Thanks, folks.

Now, if there was a tool to help remove the gas filler cap, its getting harder and harder. And if it's not on tight (two clicks), the "check engine" light comes on! I hate it.

I always remember "lefty-loosey, righty-tighty".

I remember that too, but which direction of turn is considered righty - the right edge turning away from me or toward me? Of course I know the answer as I sit here calmly, but in the midst of a fight with a jar, I sometimes lose that. So the phrase doesn't do me much good. :^(

Renee, I sent you an email yesterday. Did you get it?

Annie

Annie, I did not.
Did you use the earthlink address?

I read through this thread, just waiting for someone to post a link to the BEST jar opener EVER (IMHO). But no one has posted my fave. I've tried them all, and the Swing-a-way #711 Jar and Bottle Opener is great, and really cheap too. It has never failed to open even the toughest jar or bottle, of any size.

Here is a link that might be useful: Swing-A-Way Jar and Bottle Opener