One way to enjoy the fruits and vegetables from your garden all winter long is to can them. Home canning is a process of heating food in jars at high temperatures. The heat deactivates enzymes and kills microorganisms that cause food spoilage. The process creates a vacuum seal and requires special jars.
A rubber lid opener is handy for removing Ball jar lids.
Ball has been a favorite among home canners for generations. Removing a ball jar lid to enjoy the fruits of your labor is a bit different than opening a standard lid. The flat part of the lid and the lid ring are two separate pieces on a Ball jar.
Things You Will Need
+
Rubber lid opener
Can opener
Butter knife
Warning
If the contents of the jar look slimy or have a foul odor, do not use.
Inspect the lid prior to opening. Bulging lids indicate spoilage.
Hold the Ball jar on a flat counter securely in one hand. Twist the lid ring counterclockwise with your free hand and remove it from the jar. Use a rubber lid opener if the lid is extremely tight.
Insert a lift-type can opener or a butter knife between the seam of the flat lid and the top of the jar.
Pry the flat lid off the jar with the can opener or knife until you can grab it with your fingers. Lift the lid completely off the jar.
The Drip Cap
One way to enjoy the fruits and vegetables from your garden all winter long is to can them.
The process creates a vacuum seal and requires special jars.
Pry the flat lid off the jar with the can opener or knife until you can grab it with your fingers.
Kenneth Crawford is a freelance writer with more than 10 years of experience. His work has appeared in both print and online publications, including "The American Chronicle." Crawford holds an associate degree in business administration from Commonwealth College.
Breaking the vacuum seal with a lever can also do the trick. You can try using a metal spoon or butter knife, but the best bet is going to be a church key or bottle opener, as it is less likely to be damaged (spoons and knives can bend) or injure you (it is designed to be wedged and stay put between container and lid).
Inspect the sealing compound on the bottom of the lid and make sure it's all still there and that none has peeled away. You need a complete ring of sealing compound in order to reuse the lid. It's probably best to keep reused lids to water-bath canning.
Alternatively, you could fill a bowl with hot water and place the jar upside down in the water, leaving it there for around 30 seconds. The hot water will help expand the metal lid (more so than the glass), making it easier to remove.
Applying heat to the lid will expand it slightly, releasing it from its tight grip. Heating methods include running the lid under hot water or putting the jar, lid first, into a bowl of hot water for 30 seconds. You can also use a hairdryer.
Turn the stove burner to low heat and allow the pan and lid to heat up for a few minutes. While holding the pan handle with one hand (use a pot holder), grasp the lid handle and pull upwards to release the lid. This will usually release the vacuum seal.
This vacuum seal makes it difficult to remove the lid from the jar because the pressure inside the jar is lower than the pressure outside of the jar, creating a strong suction force that holds the lid in place.
When you're dealing with really big stuck bolts, a pipe wrench might be your best option, especially if you don't own a giant set of wrenches or sockets. The long handle and aggressive jaw teeth will loosen the most stubborn bolts. Just make sure you get the jaws tight against the shoulders.
Tip: You can also try running the lid under hot water for about 2 minutes to try to pop the seal if you don't have a dish to submerge it in. Use a hair dryer to heat up the lid if hot water doesn't work. Turn the hair dryer on high and aim it at the lid for 30 seconds to expand the lid and loosen the seal.
Home Steady suggests that you use a pair of slim tongs or the edge of a knife to gingerly lift the raised part of the lid from its placement in the sink drain.
Wipe the rim and threads of the jar using a clean, damp cloth to remove any food residue. Center lid on the jar, allowing sealing compound to contact the jar rim.Apply band and adjust until fit is fingertip-tight. Place jar in canner.
Introduction: My name is Kerri Lueilwitz, I am a courageous, gentle, quaint, thankful, outstanding, brave, vast person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
