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[Chris]

I've got a jar of gherkins that I can't open. it's really annoying. anyone got any good ideas that don't involve breaking the jar?

[Sue Denim..]

Have you tried opening it up with marigolds on?

Or you could wrap the lid with a fan belt and twist it off.

the good old tea towel over the lid as you try to open it, or failing that find a vice.

[Sue Denim..]

If you intend on eating ALL the gherkins, then you could pierce the lid before opening to release some pressure.

[Camie]

It's all about grip.
or
You could always just smash the jar.

[Plato the Greek]

This always happens to me.

Boil a kettle, then fill a basin or sink with a small amount of boiling water (just enough to immerse the lid). Then turn the jar upside down and immerse it in the boiling water for a few minutes. The metal lid expands and thus the jar is easier to open.

[Biz]

yum yum glass shards in vinegar, what part of "anyone got any good ideas that don't involve breaking the jar?" did you not get?

[Sue Denim..]

If the jar is new, use a triangular-tipped bottle opener to apply pressure and break the vacuum seal. Do this by placing the triangular tip underneath the lid and pulling the lid away from the jar until you pop the seal.

Wrap rubber bands around the lid for better grip.

If the lid still won't budge, run the lid (not the jar) under hot water for a minute. This will cause the metal lid to expand so it comes off easily.

[Sue Denim..]

Or you could just have a bag of crisps instead.

[Chris]

Originally Posted by Sue Denim..

Or you could just have a bag of crisps instead.

crisps are unhealthy (I'm on an 8 week health challenge just now), gherkins are not.

marigolds didn't work, neither did tapping the lid off the counter. I tried prying the sides with a teaspoon and that didn't pop the vacuum. So it's time for the hot water.