How to Open a 2 Gallon Bucket Lid

Use a sharp utility knife to cut through the plastic around the rim at the indicated areas where the sections (called cut slots) are deliberately thinner.

Use a special bucket lid lifter tool to pry off the lid. These are simple, cheap tools available at most hardware, paint and DIY stores for under $5 (as of 2009).

If you do not have access to the bucket tool, start with one section, and lift from the edge until you feel it give a little. Go on to the next section and so on, working your way all the way around the edges of the lid until you get back to the starting point.

Lift the first section a bit harder; follow with another section or two. With the vacuum seal broken, there should be enough give to allow you to pry the whole lid up from that side.