Heat it. Freeze it. Hit the lid with a spoon. Hit the bottom with a knife. Yell at it. There are countless methods for opening a stubborn jar, but odds are, you’re just running with the methods that you saw your parents use when you were growing up. But do you really know how effective your method is versus the other ones? Probably not, but fortunately, a resourceful foodie over at Food 52 went through the roster of methods and then mashed them up to find what she declares the best way to open a jar.
And luckily, it doesn’t involve employing or even learning 11 different tricks as this Hellman’s video suggests we do.
That said, the method presented doesn’t just hinge on one technique, but several techniques used in concert. Gaining advantages via gravity, expansion, and friction, writer Sarah Jampel offers up a solution that can be summed up (and thus remembered) in just a few words.
Her conclusion?
Turn the jar upside down, submerge it in a bowl of hot water for a minute or two, and then use a boosted-traction method to twist it open.
Inverting the jar is important because the culprit is normally dried or crystallized food on the inside of the lid’s threads. Turning the jar upside down to rest allows warm water to seep in and soften the dried substances. Hot water will also expand the metal lid much faster than glass, giving you another advantage. As for the “boosted traction,” a dishtowel or silicone pot holder works as well as anything.
If that doesn’t get the job done, there’s recourse. You’ll want to repeat the second step, perhaps using hotter water and a longer soak time. Also, it doesn’t hurt to give the lid of the jar a quick knock or two to help loosen any stubborn food inside the lid.
That should get even the most stubborn jars open. If not, maybe it’s time to question if you were really meant to eat those olives. Because potato chips would never do this to you.
If you’re able to open the jar, take a step to ensure that you don’t have to go through this ordeal again by simply covering the open jar with plastic wrap before screwing the lid back on. It’s a quick measure that, when taken, ensures you’ll never have to use any of the above tactics ever again.
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Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.