I have this "sticky" problem...
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
Eugene, Oregon
December 12, 2016 11:20am CST
We have this nice set of glass containers to put leftovers and various things in to store in the refrigerator. My problem is that when I emptied the dishwasher the other day, I put one bowl into the other. They somehow got a little crooked or something and now refuse to come apart.
We tried hot water on both and we put ice in the one on top and ran hot water on the bottom one. Neither worked.
Have you ever stuck two glass containers together like this? Any solutions?
15 people like this
15 responses
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
12 Dec 16
I am tempted with my Irish temper.
2 people like this
@Ceerios (4698)
• Goodfellow, Texas
13 Dec 16
JamesHxstatic - James - Glass does not expand with heat nor contract with cold all that much, but the heat of your dishwasher is what got them into this predicament. To get them back out again, set the stack into HOT water all the way up to the level just below the top piece. Then put ice and water into the top and wait a while. Then gently twist them (if you can) and pull them apart. I understand that you "already tried that" but because of glass's very minimal coefficient of expansion, you have to be patient, timewise. Other than for such steps, a hammer is guaranteed to do the separation for you. -Gus-
1 person likes this
@Ceerios (4698)
• Goodfellow, Texas
15 Dec 16
@JamesHxstatic - James - Did you get those glass containers unstuck? -Gus-
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
15 Dec 16
@Ceerios Nope, had to work a day or two and will attack that mess tomorrow.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
13 Dec 16
Sounds like you know your stuff, I will try your variation today.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (137545)
• India
13 Dec 16
This happens ever so often but not with glass. You will have to try and refit them by moving them around a bit - just a thought
1 person likes this
@allknowing (137545)
• India
13 Dec 16
@JamesHxstatic If they are oven proof may be you could keep them in the oven for a while?
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
14 Dec 16
They are too shallow to be useful for pencils. I am going to try various ways one more time.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
14 Dec 16
@JamesHxstatic Good luck. So frustrating.
1 person likes this
@RichardMeister (5328)
• Otis Orchards, Washington
12 Dec 16
This has never happened to me so I have no answers. Good luck with getting them apart.
1 person likes this
@RichardMeister (5328)
• Otis Orchards, Washington
13 Dec 16
@JamesHxstatic I read that and it sounds like a good way to do it. Back when I took auto mechanics in college what we did to put a sleeve in a cylinder was put the sleeve in a freezer then we used a blowtorch to heat up the cylinder. Once the cylinder was hot we got the frozen sleeve and hammered it into the cylinder. Once the sleeve warmed up and the cylinder cooled down the sleeve was stuck there for good.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
13 Dec 16
Twisting, turning, banging on a padded surface, heat, cold, oil, cursing. They are now in the freezer overnight and had better shape up come morning. My patience is not endless. Maybe more oil in the morning.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
13 Dec 16
@JudyEv It may come to that yet, but I am stubbornly twisting and carefully pounding.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (341690)
• Rockingham, Australia
13 Dec 16
@JamesHxstatic I was going to suggest putting them back in the dishwasher but it was actually a human that placed them together wasn't it? Donate them to a thrift shop! :)
1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (16784)
• China
13 Dec 16
I guess the air is the culprit for that.Not once or twice,I can't take out my frosted glass bottle stopper,the only thing I can do is to gently knock the stopper on the table .It works.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
14 Dec 16
I pounded them against a padded surface and they won't give up. Thank you!
1 person likes this
@PatZAnthony (14749)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
13 Dec 16
Put them in the freezer.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
13 Dec 16
They are there now (again) overnight this time, then put the bottom one in hot water I think and hope for the best.
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
12 Dec 16
patience'n cookin' oil. 't takes a bit 'f time fer the oil to seep through.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
13 Dec 16
That is next after the overnight freeze.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (83064)
• United States
12 Dec 16
I can't offer a solution but hope if you find one you share it with us
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
12 Dec 16
It would be nice to solve it, and I will tell about it if we do.
@blitzfrick (2890)
• United States
13 Dec 16
Hmmm, that is a sticky problem. I haven't read the responses to your post, but have you tried pouring a little veggie oil between the two containers?
It's a twist on the old 2-tool philosophy: Duct tape to hold things together; WD40 to get them apart. 
Good luck with your dilemma 
Good luck with your dilemma 1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
14 Dec 16
Maybe WD 40 would help really.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
13 Dec 16
The only solution I know is heat...but obviously it isn't working...very strange. your photo looked like the glass I used to have, I have no idea where they are now that hubby took over the kitchen,,, they were Pyrex and I used them often... but I'm glad he took over the kitchen, he likes to cook and I don't.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
13 Dec 16
They are something like that, came in a set from Cotsco, I think.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
13 Dec 16
I've done it with glasses before. I just got new ones.
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@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
14 Dec 16
I had that happen too, bu this is a set that came with lids even. Maybe I should just get another set.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471968)
• Switzerland
13 Dec 16
The idea on the ice was good, try again following this method:
fill the top glass container with ice, and then put the bottom glass into a bowl of warm water. Let the container there for a few seconds to work. The difference in temperatures will cause the bottom glass to expand a bit and the top one to contract. It should work.
