Sometimes glasses that are stored in a stack will stick together. Often this is because the glass expands when washed in hot water, then shrinks again after it cools. Learn how to separate these glasses with a number of techniques, such as carefully turning them, heating them, or lubricating them!
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using Heat
Step 1. Understand how glass reacts to heat
Generally, the cups will stick together if you stack them once you've washed them. Glass will expand when exposed to heat and shrink back when cold. In some cases, this condition causes the glass to stick together. Fear not: you can take advantage of the nature of this glass to separate glasses that are stuck together. So you have to cool the glass inside and heat the glass outside to separate it.
So that this problem does not reoccur in the future, be careful when stacking glasses. Wait a few moments for the glass to cool, then stack it. If you wash the glass with cold water, this problem will not occur
Step 2. Heat the glass on the outside
This method contains risks, you should be careful. Since the glass on the outside shrinks and grips the glass on the inside, you must heat it to expand so that the class inside can be released. Carefully heat the outside glass by placing it under warm tap water for about a minute. With any luck, the glass should come off. If not, consider cooling the glass inside by pouring cold tap water.
Avoid using ice water or boiling water. Sudden changes in temperature can cause one or both of the glasses to shatter and that is very dangerous. The condition of the glass is already compressed which makes the situation very risky
Step 3. Cool the glass inside
If you can't separate the glass by simply heating the glass on the outside, try cooling the glass on the inside as well. That way, the glass on the outside will expand while the glass on the inside will shrink.
Step 4. Try using a bowl of hot water
First, fill the glass on the inside with cold water. Then, fill the bowl with warm water and heat the bottom of the glass outside. Leave the glass in this position for a few minutes, then try to pull it off.
Step 5. Carefully pull the glass out
The difference in temperature should cause the two glasses to fall apart. Hold the glass firmly, one hand holding the bottom of the glass on the outside and one hand around the top edge of the glass on the inside. Twist and tilt the glass, then pull gently to separate the two.
If the glasses are still sticking together, try waiting a few more moments for each glass to expand and shrink further. Keep the bottom of the glass outside submerged in the hot water. Try again after a few minutes
Method 2 of 3: Using Strength
Step 1. Try turning or tilting the glass to separate it
Sometimes the shape of the glass is not perfectly round and the glass inside is just sandwiched between two points on the outside of the glass. If you see movement when you tilt the glass, you are in luck because it will be easier to separate the glass.
Step 2. Carefully separate the glass
Remember, don't exert too much force. If you use too much force, one or both glasses may break. In addition, if the glass falls off unexpectedly, it can either slip out of your hand or fall out of your hand.
Make sure to grip each glass firmly. Before starting, dry the glass and your hands. If your hands are slippery, the glass may slip and fall
Step 3. Consider breaking one of the glasses
If you still don't manage to separate the glasses, consider breaking one of them instead of losing both. Place the glass on a sturdy, easy-to-clean surface, or hold the base of the glass with one hand. Gently tap the outside of the glass (by the edges) with a hammer until it shatters. This method can cause both glasses to shatter. So you can do it as a last resort.
After that, don't forget to collect and clean all the broken glass. Toward safety
Step 4. Try blowing air between the two glasses
Sometimes there is a thin layer of water between the glasses causing the two to stick together. Try slipping the straw between the two glasses, then blow. A little air is enough. However, you may have to blow quite hard due to the squashed position of the straw.
Method 3 of 3: Lubricating the Glass
Step 1. Apply a light lubricant
If the glass is still difficult to separate, even though you have tried tilting/turning it, the next step is to apply a light lubricant. A little olive oil or sunflower oil can help you. Also try soap. This method is especially effective for “squeezed” glass, not one that is firmly attached.
- Considerations for combining this oil method with the hot method. This step can be effective for handling glasses that are very difficult to separate.
- As a last resort, try using WD-40 oil. Spray the oil between the glasses. The oil will disperse on its own, allowing you to easily separate the glass. After that, make sure to wash the glass thoroughly because WD-40 is toxic to humans.
Step 2. Pour the oil between the glasses
Spread the oil precisely to the points that pinch the inner glass by tilting the glass from side to side. When you shake the glass, the oil will loosen the two glasses so they can be separated. Wet the glass so that the lubricant can spread evenly.
Try using a straw or a thin knife to help spread the oil evenly. Do it slowly
Step 3. Twist the glass to separate it
Once the oil is evenly distributed, hold the glass on the inside with your dominant hand and the glass on the outside with the other hand. Turn the two glasses in opposite directions to loosen them. At the same time, try to separate the glass using a little force. Focus on turning the glass instead of pulling it. If this method works well, the glass will come off on its own.
Don't pull the glass right away! The force used in this kind of movement can shatter the glass
Tips
The technique mentioned above works because the glass on the inside shrinks while the glass on the outside expands
Warning
- Try to separate the glass over the sink to avoid spills.
- Do not immerse fragile glass in hot water unless you are sure it can withstand the temperature.
- Don't hold the glass too high over the sink and be careful not to drop it. Wet glass is very slippery.
