Get a Grip: Handyaid Jar and Bottle Opener

Item: Handyaid
Price: $5.00
Overall Impression: The Handyaid is a multi-purpose gripper that marries form and function with its simple yet effective and attractive design.

In a world of throwaway, useless kitchen gadgets, the Handyaid stands out as something inexpensive, yet enduring. Generations of grandmas, cooks, handymen, and others have relied on the gripping power of this little tool that has been manufactured for over 80 years. Although I only discovered it recently, I already consider it one of my essential kitchen tools.

Characteristics and Specs: Made of heavy duty natural latex rubber in the USA. About 5 inches in diameter and 1/8 inch thick.
Favorite details: Protects both your hands and the item you’re gripping and won’t scratch or dent jar and bottle tops like metal tools can. Good for non-kitchen uses, too.
Potential problems: Prolonged exposure to heat or sunlight could damage the rubber, but this shouldn’t be a problem if you store it in a drawer or other safe place.
Good for small kitchens? Flat and easy to store.

I’m a sucker for old-fashioned kitchen tools, and the first thing that drew me to the Handyaid was its charming paper sleeve (it kind of evokes 45 record sleeves, no?). Fortunately, the Handyaid also has a reputation for usefulness, and I’ve been mightily impressed by its performance in the kitchen.

The Handyaid is a flexible yet durable rubber disk, dimpled with little suction cups that can grip and loosen all kinds of objects including stubborn jar lids and bottle caps. As someone who has often relied on metal tools that can scratch or dent lids (or my strong-handed partner, who isn’t always available!), I love how quickly and painlessly I can now open everything from pickle jars to maple syrup bottles. The Handyaid also makes a good non-skid surface and can be used as a coaster or as a pad for vases, bowls, and other items.

Instructions on the sleeve mention that the suction cups are more effective if clean. The Handyaid can be easily washed in warm soapy water and towel or air dried. I’ve found that a toothbrush works well to clean debris from the small grooves.

Find It! Handyaid, $5.00 at The Handyaid Company

Related: Stubborn Lids: Best Ever Jar Opener

Apartment Therapy Media makes every effort to test and review products fairly and transparently. The views expressed in this review are the personal views of the reviewer and this particular product review was not sponsored or paid for in any way by the manufacturer or an agent working on their behalf.

(Images: Emily Han)