Gadget name: Swing-A-Way Comfort Grip Jar Opener
Price: $6.95
It looks like: An opened-up stapler. Made of chrome plate, this opener consists of a 7 1/2-inch bar perforated with 18 holes and a vinyl grip.
How it’s supposed to work: The device claims to open any jar whose lid won’t budge under hand pressure.
How we tested it: We tested this opener on big jars of spaghetti sauce and small bottles of vanilla extract, the lids of which were all firmly stuck.
How it actually works: It released all of the lids easily and quickly. It’s especially effective in breaking the vacuum seal on brand new jars.
Good to know: The Swing-A-Way adjusted quickly to jars of all sizes without a single slip.
My favorite part: The low cost; for less than $7, this tool never let us down.
Drawbacks: It takes a few tries to learn how to adjust the clamp.
Overall: It’s a handy tool for the stickiest—and stuck-iest—of situations.
Don’t have a Swing-A-Way opener? Check out our video tip on how to tackle stuck lids with just your hands and a few common household items.
About the Author: Lisa McManus
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my family has had a version of this opener for 40 years. After my parents passed there was a fight over who got to take it home. I, thankfully, won. Best jar opener ever.
It has never failed. Had one for years. I have broken the seal by merely tighening the tool across the lid. If you cannot find it locally, it is available online.
For persons with small hands, it is essential.