Need a Good Trick for getting a Stuck Top Off!

[waywardangler]

The other thing I would try with a stuck metal lid on a glass jar is running the lid under HOT water and then trying to remove it. Metal and glass expand at different rates and usually the metal will expand enough to loosen before the glass expands.

[KC]

I use that often.  Another trick that others may not know about is to unstick glass/metal and glass/glass (like 2 drinking glasses or bowls that were stacked and are now stuck).  I have also used this to unstick s/p shakers but used a warm rag on the top and cold water on the bottom/container!

SCIENCE PRINCIPLE:  Warmth will swell the one and cold will shrink the other - has worked everytime for me!  Taught to me by my grandmother growing up!
First, fill the top/inner bowl with cold water. Fill a large bowl/sink (large enough to accommodate the glasses/bowls) with hot water. Float the stuck bowls in the hot water (submerged as much as possible without getting any hot water between the bowls or on top glass piece). Wait for 1 to 2 minutes then gently separate!!!!

NOTE:  Make sure the two temperatures are not too extreme, or the bowls could break -- unless you are dealing with Pyrex or similar types of bowls that have been tempered and will not break under extreme temperature changes.

[waywardangler]

Good tip, KC! I will have to remember that when I have glass on glass stuck. Thankfully it does not occur very often. My problem in the Spring is having two five gallon plastic buckets wedged together. I do not know why that happens over winter but it happens every year!

[kysfinest]

  I absolutely love you guys! You are so full of info! So many times i have had the problem of glasses sticking together and finally I know what to do to get them apart.....Thanks for all the information!!!

[talesofthesevenseas]

On getting stuck lids off-
Last night I was trying to think how you could do warm vs. cold when the top is perforated. I don't think in the case of S&P shakers that would work, but the rubberbands sure worked for me. I still couldn't do it myself with my weak hands, but Hubby was able to do it.

IronLord, were you able to get the lids off of yours?

On the subject of depression glass values-
I was looking last night at Ebay, looks like a lot is available there, but paying $5 per piece with no tax or shipping is definitely a good price. Looks like the S&P's go anywhere form $20-$50 + shipping, other pieces about $10. The bowls that I passed up were going for about $30. More importantly, I do really like the stuff and I'm just expanding my ever-broadening collection of blue glass and not reselling, so it's all good, but it's always nice to get a good value. That cobalt (Ritz) blue really makes my kitchen glow when the sun shines in, that part is priceless. 

[talesofthesevenseas]

Looks like I did pretty good in picking that oval platter for five bucks- There are two on Ebay, $55 and $60.

[ironlord1963]

I haven't got a chance to try.  I have a couple milk Glass Fenton Hobnail ones, that are really stuck,  But after drooling over your glass, had to go to bed, Now I'm a work, having a crazy day, but always have time to check the forum at least 

[Oceans64]

My problem in the Spring is having two five gallon plastic buckets wedged together. I do not know why that happens over winter but it happens every year!

If swearing is a sin I'll be spending some significant time in hell over this issue alone!!  If you find the solution, let me know. 

[mariok54]

I now have one very tall 10" plastic tomato pot, with at least eight skins ...

With stuck glasses I've several solutions ... I've also several scars..... 

[KC]

Same principal with the hot n cold works on plastic as well!  You need to heat the outside bucket to expand it and chill the inside bucket to contract it.

Vacuum is holding the buckets together...so insert a long screwdriver (or hollow small tube) to release the vacuum and they will separate!

Another one for plastic  - if you twist the buckets in opposite directions once they start moving it releases the vacuum  - then they just poll a part.

Future reference - put a rock/brick/sponge in between buckets so they don't go down fully and form the suction!

[talesofthesevenseas]

I have also heard (but have not tried it) that olive oil wil unstick glass dishes that are stuck together.