How to get the darn tops off!

[David smith]

I have some viles that have been in my freezer for 4 months. I can normally get the tops off from other brands fairly easily but these won't budge. Tried my shirt, tried a towel. Any recommendations on how to get the tops off?

 

[CandyCap]

We are talking about the foil cap and not the whole top, correct?

I usually just take my thumb and pop off the foil cap. Some caps have a place to stay attached, so you can pop it back down as a lid. Make sure not to open on that side, if you have that type. I have never had an issue removing one, even after being frozen.

If we are talking about the whole top, plug and all that is another story....and we need to have a talk.

 

[Youarewhen]

Supplies companies sell them, it’s a small tool sometimes called Vial Opener. Makes it very easy and clean to pop them right off.

 

[deluge]

In the early days I bought a bottle opener, but a not-careful-enough attempt on maybe vial #3 I nearly took the crimp and rubber stopper off. I relegated the opener to the bar, and just use my thumb now, they should come off easily.

Maybe you've got a defective batch of crimp/caps?

 

[David smith]

I looked up the vile opener tool. I'm not looking to take the whole silver top off, just the seal. The one I have seems almost glued on. I can't budge it at all.

 

[Chopper]

I looked up the vile opener tool. I'm not looking to take the whole silver top off, just the seal. The one I have seems almost glued on. I can't budge it at all.

I've had some like that from Uther, usually I am able to hold the vial in my hand and put a thumb under opposite sides of the cap and rock it back and forth a couple times to break the cap loose from the crimp without disturbing the crimp or stopper

 

[deluge]

Bottle opener is meant to just pop the protective cover; I only mentioned that it could take the whole top off if you aren't careful (as happened to me). Try a simple metal one? It should apply pressure to the center of the entire cap, while breaking the weak stamped area between the cap and protective cover.

It really sounds like you've got defective caps. I suppose I'd either take that up with the supplier, or if you absolutely can't get the top off as intended, just get sterile vials, 1.5" needles, and filters. Rip the whole top off, reconstitute, and then filter it into a new vial.

 

[mrmors]

Worst come to the worst and I'd be taking a set of pliars to it.

 

[cheaperseeker]

I looked up the vile opener tool. I'm not looking to take the whole silver top off, just the seal. The one I have seems almost glued on. I can't budge it at all.

The vial opener works for both the crimp and the seal. A regular can opener, as pictured above, should also work. If you don't have one, you could try wedging a butter knife or something in there to pry it open.

 

[Dos-Dox]

Consider posting a pic so people know what kind of caps you’re working with. Most are flip off, but there are some tear off caps too. Allegedly, some have little arrows indicating the direction of removal (though I’ve never gotten any of these so I haven’t seen them for myself.)

 

[BNLFL]

Maybe try running the cap under some hot water.

 

[BNLFL]

Consider posting a pic so people know what kind of caps you’re working with. Most are flip off, but there are some tear off caps too. Allegedly, some have little arrows indicating the direction of removal (though I’ve never gotten any of these so I haven’t seen them for myself.)

Good to know.

 

[David smith]

OK, I had to use scissors but got it open.

 

[David smith]

"Consider posting a pic so people know what kind of caps you’re working with. Most are flip off, but there are some tear off caps too. Allegedly, some have little arrows indicating the direction of removal (though I’ve never gotten any of these so I haven’t seen them for myself.)"

I initially tried to say what brand but I guess this site has changed again and I can't say that and have my post posted.

(and not sure why 'no soarce discussion' is showing up next to my name. I never set that up. weird) Hell, this post is now saying it's spam. WTH

 

[Jfrick11]

I have some. 10mg Tirz yellow caps that are AWFUL to remove. I do use the tool, but the foil either deosnt come off at all and I have to break out a needle nose, or the foil comes off but doesn't break, so it takes part of the side. I think some of these are just cheap, cheap, cheap.

 

[cheaperseeker]

I initially tried to say what brand but I guess this site has changed again and I can't say that and have my post posted.

(and not sure why 'no soarce discussion' is showing up next to my name. I never set that up. weird) Hell, this post is now saying it's spam. WTH

It's because you're a novice. They want you to have spent a certain amount of time here, reading and learning, before getting into sources.

Oh, and try using the reply button when you want to respond to a specific post.

 

[David smith]

I've been here since 2024 ( I tried to reply to post but again it was flagged

 

[JoonyO]

In other news I went to remove the cap from a vial and the ENTIRE thing came apart leaving me mumbling, " Awe ...WTF?"

 

[cheaperseeker]

I've been here since 2024

It goes off time and the number of posts you have made. Looks like you only have 18.

 

[cheaperseeker]

In other news I went to remove the cap from a vial and the ENTIRE thing came apart leaving me mumbling, " Awe ...WTF?"

I think some are designed to do that, but I've only seen those with certain beauty supplies from Korea. Maybe they just used the wrong type of caps?