I always have trouble opening the glass topped Kilner jars. I inset a
thin knife to release the partial vacuum, but that is awkward sometime
resulting in chipping either the glass lid of the rim of the jars.
Anyone any tips to open them easily and without damage please?
--
Residing on low ground in North Staffordshire

On Oct 1, 7:26*am, Moonraker > wrote:
> I always have trouble opening the glass topped Kilner jars. I inset a
> thin knife to release the partial vacuum, but that is awkward sometime
> resulting in chipping either the glass lid of the rim of the jars.
> Anyone any tips to open them easily and without damage please?

Not to be facetious, but have you tried a jar opener? A hinged device
that fits around the lid and allows you to clamp it tight and turn.

I have used ChannelLock pliers in the past, but ones big enough to fit
a jar lid might crack the jar when you try to open it.

"spamtrap1888" > ha scritto nel messaggio
Moonraker > wrote:
> I always have trouble opening the glass topped Kilner jars. I inset a>
> thin knife to release the partial vacuum, but that is awkward sometime
> resulting in chipping either the glass lid of the rim of the jars.

Not to be facetious, but have you tried a jar opener? A hinged devicethat
fits around the lid and allows you to clamp it tight and turn.


I don't think that's how Kilmer jars open. I think they are the glass jar
and glass lid with a rubber seal.

On Fri, 01 Oct 2010 15:26:37 +0100, Moonraker >
wrote:

> I always have trouble opening the glass topped Kilner jars. I inset a
> thin knife to release the partial vacuum, but that is awkward sometime
> resulting in chipping either the glass lid of the rim of the jars.
> Anyone any tips to open them easily and without damage please?

I don't have any trouble opening them. I flip up the latch, and use
two thumbs to open if it's stuck.... leverage. Can't recall ever
using a knife. You must put a lot of effort into it if you're
chipping glass. Ours always have a rubber gasket around the lid,
yours don't? Have you tried running hot water to break the seal?
Yours is probably sealed shut by dried jam or whatever it is that's
inside. Loosen it up with hot water.

--

Never trust a dog to watch your food.

On Oct 1, 10:09*am, "Giusi" > wrote:
> "spamtrap1888" > ha scritto nel messaggio
>
> *Moonraker > wrote:
> > I always have trouble opening the glass topped Kilner jars. I inset a>
> > thin knife to release the partial vacuum, but that is awkward sometime
> > resulting in chipping either the glass lid of the rim of the jars.
>
> Not to be facetious, but have you tried a jar opener? A hinged devicethat
> fits around the lid and allows you to clamp it tight and turn.
>
> I don't think that's how Kilmer jars open. *I think they are the glass jar
> and glass lid with a rubber seal.

Ah, I was thinking of not being able to turn the screwband. If the OP
can't pry the lid up with fingernails I'd try a plastic picnic knife
then. Same principle but shouldn't be able to chip the glass.

On Fri, 1 Oct 2010 19:09:14 +0200, "Giusi" > wrote:

>
>"spamtrap1888" > ha scritto nel messaggio
> Moonraker > wrote:
>> I always have trouble opening the glass topped Kilner jars. I inset a>
>> thin knife to release the partial vacuum, but that is awkward sometime
>> resulting in chipping either the glass lid of the rim of the jars.
>
>Not to be facetious, but have you tried a jar opener? A hinged devicethat
>fits around the lid and allows you to clamp it tight and turn.
>
>
>I don't think that's how Kilmer jars open. I think they are the glass jar
>and glass lid with a rubbe seal.

The old style had a glass *liner* with a metal screw cap to hold it
down. The new style has just the metal screw top. Either will open
by using one of those rubber friction sheets, or simply place a wide
rubber band around the lid to increase friction. I save the wide
rubber bands from bunches of broccoli and asparagus... they come in
handy for turning any difficult cap.

I don't recommend using a strap wrench to remove screw caps from any
glass container, they are not designed for that use because the more
rotational force exerted the more compression force is applied and
that can shatter the glass container causing severe damage to the hand
holding the glass container, can even throw glass shards at your
face/eyes (wear eye protection too). Those strap wrenches are
intended to be used to turn materials that can't shatter, like metal
pipe fittings, oil filters, and such. If ever you do use a strap
wrench to open a glass jar use a heavy cloth to hold the jar or wear
heavy gloves, and I'm deadly serious about eye protectection...
anytime one is cooking they should use eye protection, more important
than an apron... grease spatters can be laundered from clothing and
you can always buy new schmatahs but blind is forever. I've never met
a jar cap I couldn't open by hand, if it didn't open by increasing
friction with rubber I'd soak it in warm water for a short while and
it would open every time.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kilner_jar