Opening a Tupperware container with a stubborn vacuum seal can be frustrating, but a simple technique can often release the pressure. The key is to use heat to loosen the seal around the lid.
One effective method involves using hot water to help break the vacuum. This works by causing slight expansion or softening of the lid or container rim, allowing air to enter and equalize the pressure.
Here's how to use the hot water technique, drawing from the principle that heat can help loosen seals:
Using Hot Water to Loosen the Lid
Applying hot water to the lid area is a common and effective way to tackle a stubborn vacuum seal on containers like Tupperware.
Steps:
- Prepare Hot Water: Use tap water that is hot, but not boiling.
- Apply Water to the Lid: As suggested by methods for loosening vacuum seals on jars, you can either:
- Place the lid under running hot water for a few seconds.
- Hold the lidded part of the Tupperware in a bowl of hot water for a few seconds.
This application of heat to the lid can cause the material (even plastic) to expand slightly or become more pliable, disrupting the tight seal. Just a few seconds of heat should be sufficient.
Other Quick Tips
If the hot water method isn't immediately possible or you need another approach:
- Pry Gently: Use the edge of a spoon, a flat butter knife, or a Tupperware lid opener tool to gently lift one corner or edge of the lid to allow air to sneak in. Work your way around the lid carefully.
- Press the Center: Sometimes, pressing down firmly on the center of the lid while gently pulling up on an edge can help distort the lid slightly and break the seal.
- Tap the Edge: A gentle tap on the edge of the lid against a countertop might sometimes jar the seal loose, but use caution to avoid damaging the container.
By applying one of these methods, particularly the hot water technique as it directly addresses the vacuum seal principle, you can usually release the pressure and open your Tupperware container without a struggle.
