The Swing-A-Way Jar Opener isn’t the only tool in my jar-opening lineup, but it’s the one that answers a very specific question:
How do you open a pickle jar when the lid is too big for everything else you own?
My favorite pickles come in a wide, stubborn jar. The lid is too large to fit inside the jaws of my usual go-to, the RoboTwist. So when that jar shows up on the counter, the Swing-A-Way is the tool I reach for.
Why Use the Swing-A-Way Jar Opener?
Most jar openers top out at a certain size. They’re fine for salsa, pasta sauce, and jam—but wide pickle jars are another story.
The Swing-A-Way adjusts to fit lids from about ½ inch up to 4½ inches wide. That range is the whole reason it earns a place in my drawer. When nothing else fits, this one usually does.
The handle is shaped to squeeze comfortably. The thin top shaft you also grip is less forgiving, but workable. It’s not luxurious. It’s functional.
And sometimes that’s exactly what you need.
How I Use the Swing-A-Way
-
Hold the Swing-A-Way on top of the jar lid, with the padded grip handle underneath.
-
Loosen the handle just enough so the lid fits inside the jaws.
-
Slide the handle toward the lid and line up the teeth with one of the holes to tighten the grip.
-
Squeeze the handle with one hand while holding the jar with the other.
-
Turn the lid counterclockwise.
One important helper:
I always put a rubber grip pad under the jar. Without it, I can’t hold a wide jar steady enough to twist the lid off. The opener grabs the lid—but you still have to manage the jar.
Is the Swing-A-Way “Senior Friendly”?
It helps. But it doesn’t do the whole job for you.
It’s not as comfortable as my 6-in-1 jar opener, but I also don’t have to open my hand as wide to use it. That matters on days when my hands feel stiff or tired.
For large pickle jars, it’s the only manual opener I’ve found that actually fits the lid. With the rubber pad underneath, I can usually get the job done. Without that pad, I don’t have enough grip strength to hold the jar steady.
One small warning:
Be careful not to pinch your thumb when squeezing. I only did that once. Once was enough.
The Bottom Line
You still need some hand strength to use the Swing-A-Way. The bigger the jar, the more that matters.
For jars under about 3½ inches wide, my everyday favorite is still the RoboTwist. But when a wide-mouth pickle jar shows up, the Swing-A-Way is the one tool that can step in and say, Yes, I’ve got this.
And sometimes, that’s exactly what you want from a kitchen gadget.
*My previous favorite jar opener was the Black & Decker Lids Off Jar Opener, but mine finally gave out. And they are costly to replace. Also, it was limited to certain size jars, and the jars must be flat across the top. I do miss it for large, heavy jars, though.
Swing Away Jar Opener Video