The process of home canning is a rewarding way to preserve the season’s bounty, but it involves handling jars filled with boiling-hot contents. Safety is paramount in the kitchen, and using the right tools is the first line of defense against painful burns and spills. A reliable canning jar lifter is not just an accessory; it’s an essential piece of equipment designed to securely grip and lift hot jars from a boiling water bath or pressure canner.
With numerous models available, selecting the best jar lifter for your needs can feel overwhelming. Factors like grip comfort, jaw design, and material durability all contribute to a safe and successful canning session. This roundup highlights ten of the best canning jar lifters on the market, focusing on features that prioritize your safety and make the canning process more manageable and secure.
Our Top Picks for Safe Canning Jar Lifters
- Ball Secure-Grip Jar Lifter
- Norpro Canning Jar Lifter
- Premier Chef Canning Jar Lifter Tongs
- Farm to Table Canning Jar Lifter Tongs
- Feeke Canning Jar Lifter Tongs (Blue)
- Eeoyu Canning Jar Lifter Tongs (Black)
- Oriflame Canning Jar Lifter with Rubber Grips
- Ball Jar Lifter with Ergonomic Design
- Rainspire Canning Jar Lifter (Black)
- OXO Good Grips Jar Lifter
Ball Secure-Grip Jar Lifter
From a trusted name in home canning, the Ball Secure-Grip Jar Lifter is a popular choice for both beginners and seasoned preservers. Its design focuses on user safety and control, featuring an ergonomic handle that provides a comfortable and secure hold, even with wet or slippery hands. This helps maintain a firm grip when transferring heavy, hot jars.
The lifter’s jaws are molded with a specialized grip pattern that increases surface contact with the jar by 150%, significantly reducing the chance of slippage. A convenient spring release mechanism allows for easy one-handed operation, letting you open the lifter to position it and then release the jar smoothly onto a protected surface.
Norpro Canning Jar Lifter
The Norpro Canning Jar Lifter is a classic, no-fuss tool that has earned its place as a canning essential. Its straightforward design is built for a single, important purpose: to safely remove any size canning jar from boiling water. By keeping your hands a safe distance from the heat and steam, it effectively minimizes the risk of burns.
With dimensions of 8.75 inches long, this lifter provides ample reach into deep pots and canners. The scissor-style action offers good mechanical leverage, making it easier to clamp down securely on the neck of a jar. Its durable construction ensures it can withstand the high-heat, high-moisture environment of a canning kitchen for many seasons.
Premier Chef Canning Jar Lifter Tongs
Constructed from quality stainless steel, the Premier Chef Canning Jar Lifter is built for durability and resistance to rust. This material choice is ideal for a tool that will be frequently exposed to water and steam, ensuring a long service life and consistent performance batch after batch.
The design focuses on creating a secure barrier between your hands and the hot jars. The tongs are engineered to fit a wide range of jar sizes, from small jelly jars to larger quart-sized containers. The sturdy build provides confidence when lifting heavy, liquid-filled jars, helping to prevent accidents and broken glass.
Farm to Table Canning Jar Lifter Tongs
The Farm to Table 5645 Canning Jar Lifter is a robust, 8.75-inch tool designed for the practical home canner. Its steel construction offers a reliable and strong grip on hot jars, providing the stability needed to move them safely from a boiling water bath to a cooling area.
This lifter’s simple and effective design has stood the test of time. It functions well with standard canning jars, clamping down on the neck to hold the jar firmly. The length of the tongs ensures your hands remain well away from hot surfaces and boiling water, which is the fundamental safety feature of any quality jar lifter.
Feeke Canning Jar Lifter Tongs
The Feeke Canning Jar Lifter adds a splash of color to your canning tools with its blue anti-slip clip. This model is made from stainless steel, combining corrosion resistance with sturdy performance. The wide-mouth clip is designed to accommodate larger jars securely.
An emphasis on a non-slip grip is a key safety benefit of this product. The handles are designed for comfort and control, reducing hand fatigue during large canning sessions. This lifter is a solid option for those who process a variety of jar sizes and appreciate a tool with a secure, comfortable hold.
Eeoyu Canning Jar Lifter Tongs
The Eeoyu Canning Jar Lifter is a practical tool designed for comfort and control. Its approximately 8.6-inch size is well-suited for fitting various canning jars, making it a versatile addition to your kitchen. The design is firm and easy to operate, providing a practical solution for lifting and transporting hot jars.
This lifter is promoted for its wide usage, capable of handling everything from small glass jelly jars to standard and larger canning jars. By keeping your hands safely away from heat, it brings convenience and safety to both home kitchens and larger food preparation settings. Its straightforward design gets the job done reliably.
Oriflame Canning Jar Lifter with Rubber Grips
Safety and durability are the hallmarks of the Oriflame Canning Jar Lifter. It is constructed from food-grade stainless steel and coated with a protective vinyl layer, which helps prevent rusting and adds to its longevity. The sturdy build ensures it can handle repeated use in a demanding canning environment.
A significant feature is the handle coated with soft vinyl, which provides a comfortable, non-slip grip. This enhances control and safety when handling slippery, hot jars. The design is suitable for most canning jars, making it a reliable tool for safely removing jars of any size from boiling water.
Ball Jar Lifter with Ergonomic Design
This Ball Jar Lifter model emphasizes an ergonomic design with comfortable, easy-to-grip handles. The design philosophy is to require minimal force from the user while providing maximum security for the jar being lifted. This reduces hand strain and improves overall control during the canning process.
It includes an automatic spring hinge that pops open for effortless jar placement and removal. Combined with an enhanced grip surface that significantly increases contact area with the jar, this lifter offers a very secure hold. It’s a thoughtfully engineered tool that prioritizes user comfort and jar stability.
Rainspire Canning Jar Lifter
The Rainspire Canning Jar Lifter is a black, stainless steel tool built with safety as its primary focus. It is explicitly designed to keep your hands safely away from heat while removing jars from boiling water. The clamps are engineered to secure firmly onto jar tops, which helps reduce the chance of breakage and potential injury.
This lifter offers great versatility, as it works well with virtually all canning jars regardless of size. Whether you are processing small half-pints or large quart jars, this tool can handle the task. Its reliable performance makes it a useful part of any home canning supplies kit.
OXO Good Grips Jar Lifter
While specific details for this model are limited, the OXO Good Grips brand is renowned for its user-friendly kitchen tools. You can expect this jar lifter to feature the company’s signature soft, comfortable handles that provide a secure, non-slip grip. This is especially valuable when your hands are wet or when you need to maintain a firm hold on a heavy jar.
OXO products are typically designed with ergonomics and ease of use in mind. This lifter likely incorporates thoughtful details that make the canning process safer and less physically taxing. For those who prioritize comfort and intuitive design in their kitchen tools, this is a brand worth considering.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Canning Jar Lifters for Safety
When I first started canning, I thought any old jar lifter would do. I quickly learned that a good, safe lifter is not just a tool; it’s your primary line of defense against serious burns and broken jars. The whole point of canning is to preserve food safely, and that process starts with safely handling those scalding hot jars. Choosing the right one makes all the difference between a smooth canning day and a stressful, potentially dangerous one. Here’s what I look for when picking out the best canning jar lifters for safety.
The first thing I check is the grip. A secure, comfortable, and non-slip grip is non-negotiable. My hands are often damp or steamy during a canning session, so I need handles that won’t slip. Look for textured rubber or silicone grips. The grip should also be ergonomic, fitting comfortably in my hand without causing strain, especially when I’m lifting dozens of jars in one go. A good grip gives me the confidence that the tool is an extension of my hand, not a wobbly liability.
Next, I examine the jaws or claws of the lifter. These are the parts that actually contact the jar. They need to be sturdy and coated with a material that provides a strong, non-slip hold on the glass. I avoid lifters with hard, smooth plastic jaws because they can slip right off a wet jar. The best ones have a thick rubber or silicone coating that molds slightly to the jar’s neck. I also make sure the jaws open wide enough to fit comfortably around the different sizes of jars I use, from small half-pints to large quart jars. A tight, secure fit is what prevents a jar from tipping and spilling boiling contents.
Durability is another key factor. I look for lifters made from a single piece of heavy-duty stainless steel or a robust, heat-resistant nylon. All-metal lifters are classic and very strong, but I need to ensure they don’t have weak points or rivets that can rust over time. One-piece construction is often more reliable. The material must be able to withstand repeated exposure to heat and steam without warping or degrading. A flimsy lifter that bends under the weight of a full jar is a safety hazard I simply won’t risk.
Finally, I consider the locking mechanism. Some lifters have a simple spring action, while others feature a locking clip. A lock is incredibly useful for storing the lifter neatly and safely, preventing the jaws from snagging on other tools in my drawer. More importantly, a lock allows me to securely fasten the lifter onto a jar before I lift it, giving me an extra second to ensure my grip is perfect. This small feature adds a significant layer of safety and control to the entire process. By focusing on these aspects—grip, jaws, durability, and locking—I can confidently select a tool that makes my canning process both safer and more efficient.
FAQ
Why is a jar lifter necessary for canning?
A jar lifter is absolutely essential because it is the only tool designed to safely grip and lift hot glass jars from a boiling water bath or pressure canner. Jars are extremely slippery when wet and hot, making them nearly impossible to handle with regular tongs or oven mitts. Using an improper tool greatly increases the risk of dropping a jar, which can cause severe burns from the boiling liquid and create a dangerous mess of broken glass. A proper lifter is a fundamental part of safe home canning practice.
Can I use regular kitchen tongs instead of a dedicated jar lifter?
I strongly advise against using regular tongs. Standard kitchen tongs are not designed to securely fit the curved neck of a canning jar. They often have smooth, narrow tips that can easily slip off, leading to accidents. Dedicated jar lifters have wide, curved, and often coated jaws that cradle the jar securely under its lid ridge. This specialized design provides a stable and safe grip that regular tongs cannot match. Investing in the right tool is a small price for preventing a painful injury.
How do I clean and maintain my canning jar lifter?
Cleaning is straightforward. Most jar lifters are dishwasher safe, but I usually just wash mine by hand in warm, soapy water after use. It’s important to rinse off any food residue or acidic splashes from the canning liquid. For maintenance, I always check the rubber or silicone grips and jaw coatings before each canning season. I look for any signs of cracking, tearing, or stickiness, which means the material is degrading and the lifter’s grip is no longer reliable. If I see any damage, I replace it immediately.
What should I do if my jar lifter feels slippery on the jar?
If your lifter is slipping, it’s a major red flag. First, check the jaw coatings for wear or a buildup of grease or residue. A good cleaning might solve the issue. If the coating is cracked or worn smooth, the lifter has reached the end of its life and needs to be replaced. Never try to “make do” with a slippery lifter. As a temporary measure for a slightly slick grip, you can try dipping the jaws quickly into your canning pot’s hot water to warm and soften the rubber, which can sometimes improve traction, but replacement is the real solution.
Are there jar lifters designed for people with arthritis or weak grip strength?
Yes, there are options available. Look for lifters that feature extra-long, ergonomically designed handles with large, soft-grip areas. These designs provide more leverage and distribute pressure over a larger area of your hand, reducing the strain and force needed to operate the lifter. Some models also have a locking mechanism that can be engaged with a simple push of a thumb, which can be easier than constantly squeezing a spring-loaded handle. Your safety is paramount, so finding a tool that works comfortably for you is important.
Can one jar lifter handle all different jar sizes?
Most standard jar lifters are designed to be versatile and can accommodate a range of sizes, typically from half-pint jars up to wide-mouth quart jars. The adjustable jaws on a quality lifter open wide enough to fit over the larger jars and close securely enough to grip the smaller ones. However, it’s always a good idea to double-check the product specifications to ensure it lists compatibility with the specific jar sizes you use most often. A well-designed model should be a one-stop tool for all your standard canning needs, making it one of the best canning jar lifters for safety across your entire pantry project.