I have found myself in that annoying situation countless times where a jar of pickles or pasta sauce simply refuses to open. It is incredibly frustrating to pause cooking just to battle with a lid that seems glued shut. While I used to resort to banging the jar on the counter or wrapping the lid in a rubber band, there turns out to be a much easier way.
A brilliant kitchen hack has recently surfaced that requires nothing more than a standard manual can opener. I saw this trick gaining popularity online, credited to a viral video by The Shaba Kitchen, and it uses the tool in a slightly different way than intended. Instead of cutting a can, you use the opener to pop the vacuum seal on a glass jar.
The process is surprisingly simple and takes just a few seconds. You hold the manual can opener horizontally and slide the small metal lip or rectangular edge under the rim of the jar lid. Once it is wedged in place, you gently lift or rotate your wrist until you hear a distinct popping sound.
That sound confirms that the air pressure has been released, breaking the vacuum seal that holds the lid so tightly. After the pop, the lid should twist off with zero effort. I read that this method was tested on a stuck jar of salsa and worked immediately, turning a struggle into a simple task.
It is worth noting that this technique works best on standard commercial jars like those used for jams, pickles, or tomato sauce. These containers usually have a small gap between the glass and the metal rim where the tool can fit. However, you should avoid trying this on two-piece canning lids, as there often isn’t enough space to insert the opener safely.
This is easily one of the most practical kitchen tips because it solves a universal problem using a tool most of us already own. Next time you are stuck with a jar that won’t budge, remember to grab your can opener before you hurt your wrist.
Let me know if you have ever used this method or if you have another favorite way to open stuck jars in the comments.
