Melted ice cubes crumble under their own weight. Tightly-capped jars exhale. Garlic skins pop. Meat (in a zip-top bag) is gently kneaded to a uniform thickness. What is this miracle kitchen tool? It will amaze you, and maybe delight you. I'm talking about: This special rubber hammer It just so happens to be 17% off for Amazon Prime Day, so you can get it for under $9 right now.
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What? You're right. I keep this mallet on my windowsill above my sink, within easy reach to easily pop stubborn suction-cup jar caps and to tap (or smack) anything that needs the delicate touch of a blunt object.
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In fact, I spent the weekend using a rubber mallet to tap the vertical sides of six Costco-sized jars of Rao's Marinara Sauce (the best!) to make some make-ahead food for a big birthday party I'm having this Saturday.
It started with a particularly grueling, soul-draining night when I was alone in the kitchen and losing the battle with a tight-fitting lid. I had tried every safe way I could think of. This bottle opener I've tried holding the lid with a towel, placing the jar under boiling water, banging on the side and bottom to break the seal, and even foolishly inserting the tip of a butter knife between the lid and the rim of the jar – none of this has worked.
(My colleague, Senior Editor David Watsky, uses the backs of good quality kitchen scissors to open jars. My Scissorsbut I know I’ll find a way to hurt myself in the process.
Then I texted a close friend who has been through a lot of physical adjustments in her life and lives alone: you “What if I open the jar?” I totally believed him and five minutes later my purchase was confirmed. Now when my friends laugh at my kitchen hammer, I laugh right back. They have no idea what they're missing out on.
You won't have to worry about cutting yourself with this rubber hammer, and I've never nearly smashed my thumb. A gentle tap on the edge of the lid with the hammer will easily twist the lid open, releasing the vacuum. (You'll still need dry hands to grip, or use a towel.) This hammer method is super easy, takes just a few seconds, and works every time. No safety glasses needed. I have to say, swinging a hammer around in the kitchen is a lot of fun.
You can easily cover the head of the mallet with a clean bag or cloth when using it to cut meat, but I primarily cover the parts that come into contact with the food, not the mallet.
Sometimes I use a rubber hammer for practical non-cooking tasks, like hammering in pesky dowel ends when assembling furniture. But the next time a friend asks me, “Why do you Mallet In response to the question, “Do you have this in your kitchen?” I will provide a jar with an airtight lid as best I can for a demo and send you the link above.
And as an even smarter Amazon Prime Day buy, my Braun all-purpose handheld blender Get 20% off nowThis made-in cookware that I trust is Up to 25% off Plus, we've got a selection of Prime Day deals under $100.
