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Why do I need a jar opener?
Wondering why you should use a jar opener instead of just banging on the lid with a spoon? It’s simple: Using a spoon to try to pry open a stubborn lid can chip your bowls and spoons, or even dent the metal lids on some jars. Another reason to use a jar opener is that it’s much safer for your hands than banging on the lids with spoons.
Reviews of The Best Jar Opener America’s Test kitchen in 2022
1. EZ Off Jar Opener for Seniors & Arthritic Hands
2. Kichwit Stainless Steel Jar Opener
3. BERNIE ANSEL Store 6-in-1 Multi-Purpose Jar Opener
4. Jar Opener by OXO Good Grips
5. Kuhn Rikon Gripper Opener for Jars and Bottles
6. Hamilton Beach Electric Jar Opener
7. Swing-A-Way Comfort Jar Opener
Best Jar Opener America’s Test kitchen: Buying Guide
Type of jar opener
- Classic openers: These are normally designed with an adjustable lever arm, which allows them to fasten to the jar’s lid. The pros of this type of opener include space saving, and the ability to open jars of different sizes.
- Wall-mounted openers: These often come with V-shaped teeth that act to unscrew lids. Most of the time, users need to operate using two hands.
- Grip bands: As the name might have suggested, these openers are meant to improve the grip strength. Normally made from rubber/ silicone, they are generally affordable and do not take up too much space.
- Jar keys: These are great for dealing with vacuum-sealed jar lids. On the other hand, they also work fine as a bottle opener.
- Twist-handle openers: These are the perfect choice for arthritic people. Just remember, you still have to use two hands – one to hold the jar – in order to use them.
- Clam-and-lock openers: These are designed with extended handles, which solve the leverage issue well.
- Automatic openers: These are battery-based ones that allow for effortless operation. For those who wish to do manual work as little as possible, automation is the way to go.
Dimension
Features
- Lid compatibility
- Portability
Types of jar opener america’s test kitchen
General-purpose jar opener
America’s Test Kitchen tested several jar openers, including this one. It can be used on most lids except very small ones. The jaws are covered with rubber to help grip the lid.
Wall-mounted jar opener
This opener is designed specifically for wall-mounted jars, which have round lids instead of flat ones. Since you have to install it, it might not be worth buying if you only have a few stubborn jars in your kitchen. But if you regularly cook big batches of soup or stock and store leftovers in these types of jars, an opener like this will make removing them much easier—and safer! You can get both glass and plastic models for less than $10.
Bottle opener
There are lots of other types of jar openers america’s test kitchen available, but this one is truly unique. Attach it to the underside of a shelf or cupboard that has jars on top—the metal jaws fit into round lids just like the openers above do. You can also use it as a regular bottle opener for beer bottles and soda cans! Of course, you could always reach for tongs to help you grip any lid too!
FAQs about jar openers america’s test kitchen
3. Why do I need the right size of jar opener?
Every jar has several different sizes of openings, which means you should look for an opener that fits snugly into that opening. For example, the jars on your dishwasher detergent are probably too narrow for an opener to fit in. And some jar lids have ridges or bumps that will prevent a jar opener from getting a good grip on the lid.
4. Where should I store my jar opener?
To prevent injuries, you need to keep your hands away from the metal jaws of the opener. We recommend hanging your jar opener on a hook or pegboard, or storing it in a drawer.
5. What are some good alternatives to using jar openers?
If you don’t have room for a jar opener or simply can’t find yours, you can use tongs to grip any jar lid. You can also grasp jars with an elastic hair-band stretched over your hand (but not too tight). If nothing else is around, try putting rubber gloves on your hands.
Someone at work probably has an extra pair lying around that could come in handy one day! Or search for other household items you could use as tools: Can lids be gripped between chopsticks? Between two wooden spoons?
6. What else should I know about jar openers?
If you have a lot of trouble opening jars, you might want to check with your doctor. It could be a sign of arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome. In fact, experts at Arthritis Today magazine tell people to stop using their hands entirely and switch to other methods for prying the lids off jars. Of course that’s not what we recommend!
Let America’s Test Kitchen show you how to get the best results from jar openers:
1) choose the right opener;
2) store it in an easy place;
and 3) use it correctly so you don’t hurt yourself while you do dishes or prepare food.
7. Does It Really Work
Conclusion
The Best Jar Opener America’s Test kitchen is a must-have for every household. If you’re looking to purchase one, we recommend the OXO Good Grips jar opener and they come in at under $20 on Amazon! These jar openers also have an ergonomic design which prevents hand strain when opening jars of all shapes and sizes.
They are easy to clean with just soap and water or can be placed in your dishwasher (top rack only). We hope this article has helped you find the best pick for your needs – let us know if we can help with anything else!
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