Jar opener



A jar opener is a kitchen device which is used to open glass or plastic jars. A jar is sealed by either (a) a screw-off rubberised lid or (b) a lid placed on the opening of the jar with a rubber sealing-ring between. Screw-off lids are usually made of metal with a thin rubber sealing layer, whereas lift-off lids mostly consist of glass.

Screw-off lids
A traditional jar opener for a screw-off lid will have two handles, leading up to two concentric grooved rings which can be used to fit different lids. It also sometimes has a device to open a bottle on it. There are many models including rubber sheet grip models and rubber timing belt loop models.

Lift-off lids
Jar openers that are designed to wedge open a lid sealed by a rubber ring were patented and produced in Germany in the mid 1930s, but all production has halted following the turn of the century. On the right is an example of a wooden vintage jar opener for preserve jars.

Reasons for use
Many people can remove the lids of glass jars by hand. Some people with and without disabilities cannot open a jar, while others prefer the ease that comes with a jar opener.

Motorised jar openers
Black & Decker produced the first automatic jar opener in 2003.