A jar lifter is a pair of curved tongs that grip the neck of a hot canning jar. It lets you lift jars out of boiling water without reaching into the pot. Most share the same shape, so differences come down to the coating, the handle, the hinge and the length.
The six lifters below are sold for canning jars, with lengths close to 8.75 inches. Sizes and materials come from each product’s listing page. We have not used these lifters ourselves. Maker claims are described as the makers’ own, and for hot-jar handling you should follow the canning guide that came with your jars.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Grip coating | Vinyl or rubber on the jaws helps grip a wet jar |
| Handle | Coated or wood handles stay easier to hold |
| Hinge | A firm rivet keeps the tongs from wobbling |
| Jar sizes | Jaws should open wide enough for your jars |
| Length | Longer tongs keep hands farther from the pot |
Specs at a Glance
| Lifter | Size | Material | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norpro | 8.75 x 3 x 1.5 in | Stainless steel | Cushion coating on the grip; hand washing advised |
| Mrs. Anderson’s | 8.75 x 3.25 x 1.5 in closed; opens to 5.75 in | Steel and plastic | Non-slip coating; fits all jar sizes per maker |
| BaBainlab | Size not listed; 0.2 kg | 18/8 stainless steel | Walnut wood handle; vinyl coated jaws |
| Oriflame | 8.8 x 3.15 in | Stainless steel with vinyl coating | Rubber grips; red |
| Rainspire red | 8.75 x 3 in | Stainless steel | Non-slip handle; red |
| MangoOrder | 8.7 in; 5.5 oz | Stainless steel | Fits regular and wide-mouth jars per listing |
The 6 Best Jar Lifters
1. Norpro Canning Jar Lifter
An 8.75 by 3 by 1.5 inch stainless steel lifter with a cushion coating on the grip clamps and a non-slip handle. The maker says it is made to remove any size canning jar from boiling water and recommends hand washing.
Suits: a classic jar lifter. Strengths: a cushioned grip and a known maker. Weaknesses: hand wash only. Skip it if you want a wood handle.
View Norpro Canning Jar Lifter on Amazon
2. Mrs. Anderson’s Baking Canning Jar Lifter Tongs
A steel and plastic lifter that measures 8.75 by 3.25 by 1.5 inches closed and opens to 5.75 inches. The maker describes a contoured, non-slip coated shape for filling, lifting and moving jars.
Suits: pint and quart jars. Strengths: a stated opening width. Weaknesses: plastic parts. Skip it if you want all steel.
3. BaBainlab Canning Jar Lifter With Walnut Wood Handle
A lifter of 18/8 stainless steel with vinyl coated jaws and a walnut wood handle. The maker says the rivets are larger than on similar lifters, to keep the hinge firm. No length is given on the page.
Suits: a wood handle look. Strengths: larger rivets and a wood grip. Weaknesses: no length listed. Skip it if you need exact sizes.
4. Oriflame Canning Jar Lifter Tongs With Rubber Grips
An 8.8 by 3.15 inch red lifter made of stainless steel with a vinyl coating on the handle and jaws. The listing says it works with jars from small jelly jars to larger ones.
Suits: mixed jar sizes. Strengths: a coated handle. Weaknesses: the material line on the page is unclear. Skip it if you want clear specs.
View Canning Jar Lifter Tongs – Stainless Steel Jar Lifter with Rubber Grips on Amazon
5. Rainspire Stainless Steel Canning Jar Lifter, Red
An 8.75 by 3 inch red stainless steel lifter with a non-slip handle. The listing says it works with virtually all canning jars and clamps the jar top to reduce the chance of breakage.
Suits: general canning. Strengths: a non-slip handle. Weaknesses: the same shape as others. Skip it if you want a wood handle.
View Rainspire Stainless Steel Canning Jar Lifter, Red on Amazon
6. MangoOrder 8.7 Inch Canning Jar Lifter Tongs, Red
A 5.5 ounce stainless steel lifter, 8.7 inches long, with a non-slip coated handle. The listing says it works with regular and wide-mouth Mason jars and with left or right hands.
Suits: regular and wide-mouth jars. Strengths: a light, two-handed-friendly design. Weaknesses: a new listing with few opinions. Skip it if you want a long track record.
View 8.7 Inch Stainless Steel Canning Jar Lifter Tongs, Red on Amazon
Care and Setup
- Check that the jaws open wide enough for your jars.
- Wash and dry the lifter after each batch.
- Look for a loose hinge before each use.
- Keep a dry towel nearby for wet handles.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Gripping a jar by its lid instead of the neck.
- Using worn coating that slips.
- Putting a wood handle in a dishwasher.
- Choosing tongs too small for wide-mouth jars.
Jar Lifter FAQ
Do they fit wide-mouth jars?
Several listings say so, including MangoOrder. Check the opening width of the model you pick.
Are these only for canning?
They are sold for canning, but any hot jar in a pot of water is the same job.
The Short Version
For a classic grip, the Norpro. For a stated opening width, the Mrs. Anderson’s. For a wood handle, the BaBainlab. For mixed jar sizes, the Oriflame. For a plain red steel lifter, the Rainspire. For wide-mouth jars, the MangoOrder.
