Location photography luncheon jar lids

[Donald Qualls]

Thirty-some years ago, I learned a very effective trick for loosening recalcitrant jar lids (though since growing into my adult strength, I don't need to use it often).

Hold the jar upside down, and firmly smack the lid, *flat*, on a smooth, solid surface (counter top works well). Works well over 99% of the time. One does have to be careful not to hit at an angle, as doing so can break the glass. How does it work? The rubber or plastic seal in the lid compresses a little, taking the pressure off the threads or cams that hold the lid shut. The seal doesn't rebound completely or instantly, so you have a few seconds in which you can remove the lid with relative ease.

[Struan Gray]

You mean those lids unscrew? I always thought they'd just lost the pull tab.

John, if your wife is English, she needs to shop here: www.lakelandlimited.com. How I survived childhood without the little tongs to pull the green bit off the strawberry I'll never know.

[John Cook]

Thank you, Struan.

Actually, I still have a pair somewhere that were my Mother’s. But I have book-marked the site and passed it along to my bride.

Now, if she could only find that Royal Doulton with the hand-painted periwinkles like Hyacinth has on the telly...

[Struan Gray]

That's "Boo-kay"....

Lladro's the key. I've never known a coffee table that wouldn't be improved by a nice piece of Lladro.