open a jar?

[the.fee.fairy]

I've got a jar of jam. It looks like a nice jar of jam.
I'm sure it would be a tasty jar of jam.

But i can't get the bl00dy lid off! I've tried rubber gloves, tapping it on a hard surface, whacking the bottom, hitting the bottom on the floor...

Anything else i can try before i stick a knife through the top?

Thanking ye muchly!

[Susie]

Run the lid under a hot tap for a few minutes - it expands the lid and makes it easier to twist off (I know that sounds a bit as if it wouldn't do anything, but it always works for me!).

[Paul_C]

put the knife under the lid at the side and twist a bit to releave the negative pressure.

[Milims]

Give the side of the lid a swift whack with the heel of your hand then twist the lid firmly.

[KathyLauren]

As noted above, run hot water over it. Allow some of the hot water to get under the rim of the jar to dissolve any sugar or jam that is sticking it shut.

Then, when opening the jar, grasp the lid with your LEFT hand and the jar with your right. It doesn't matter if you are left - or tight-handed, use your left hand on the lid.

Explanation: Screw threads are designed to tighten clockwise and losen counter-clockwise. Why? Because most people are right-handed and the right hand has more leverage for tightening when turning clockwise. But you are trying to loosen counter-clockwise. The left hand has more leverage when going that direction. The big fleshy pad at the base of the left thumb grabs the surface and applies more force than the pad on the right thumb can in that direction.

[the.fee.fairy]

Woohoo!

Thanks guys! The hot water worked, and i held the lid in my left hand as suggested too.

I now have an open pot of jam :)

It's the most full jar of jam i've ever had...I'll post pics later :)