They are extremely difficult to open. Would roasting them any longer help? I use a nutcracker but the nut meat has to be picked out in small pieces.
1466855
My husband enjoys them so much he doesn't mind the effort. He says he cracks them at one end and tries to peel some of the shell off. Then moves down toward the middle and cracks and peels some more. He then tries to pick out the inside.
1028510
well, I never tried cooking them . . . but they are hard to eat. They don't taste like a nut at all--they taste like a slimy fig w/o the sweetness.
817113
It is difficult to open. I used a small pocket knife with the blade along the seam to help pry the two halves apart.
2062988
I use a melon baller, that's easier. Fill them up about half way to the top. Make sure to spray them with a cooking spray.
2074316
Twist the center and it opens up into two pieces. Place the pepper pearls in there and re attach the top. The harder part is replacing the salt. It's very hard to open and you have to twist the clear top but there is nothin to grip. I ended up buying another one. This was too much trouble.
63711
what I did was to fill the water under the fill line as I think the fill line is way to high and when the water expands it has no choice but to crack. The other thing I found was that if you left them in the freezer for several days they did crack into pieces as well. If I did not use them after about two days in the freezer I took them out and put them into a larger container in the freezer and then filled the molds again. This seemed to help and gave me a few spares if I needed them. They really seem to work best if you use them right after they freeze, which is easy for a restaurant but not at home. But if you take them out at that point they are as close to perfect as you can get. Hope that helps!! what I did was to fill the water under the fill line as I think the fill line is way to high and when the water expands it has no choice but to crack. The other thing I found was that if you left them in the freezer for several days they did crack into pieces as well. If I did not use them after about two days in the freezer I took them out and put them into a larger container in the freezer and then filled the molds again. This seemed to help and gave me a few spares if I needed them. They really seem to work best if you use them right after they freeze, which is easy for a restaurant but... » Read More what I did was to fill the water under the fill line as I think the fill line is way to high and when the water expands it has no choice but to crack. The other thing I found was that if you left them in the freezer for several days they did crack into pieces as well. If I did not use them after about two days in the freezer I took them out and put them into a larger container in the freezer and then filled the molds again. This seemed to help and gave me a few spares if I needed them. They really seem to work best if you use them right after they freeze, which is easy for a restaurant but not at home. But if you take them out at that point they are as close to perfect as you can get. Hope that helps!! « Show Less
1982049
You probably could have put them in the refrigerator instead! You could have reshaped before chilling. I would call the manufacturer or the seller and have them replaced. I never had this problem.
1763974
I have not done that yet. You may want to try it first. I do use these a lot, I just never froze them. Sorry I could not be more helpful.
1868190
They are just as difficult or easy depending on your method as the others. I usually just put the bag inbetween the palms of my hands and rub them together. The bag gives way and opens easily.
2171791
i asked them the same question. They looked roasted when I opened them, but they are supposed to be raw
1580395
Additionally, to all of the other suggestions, try taking about 10 medium size hex nuts and put them inside the tube shaking it around the entire burner loop and back to the opening. Make sure if you put 10 in you get 10 out.
632977
J. R., I don't know unless it has to do with the fact that they are Very difficult to open once tightly 'sealed'. Otherwise, they are just 'Mini Ziplock baggies'.
826654
I had a lot of trouble with that also. I cut some slits on edge of lid so it would flare out further--not the best solution. They are still very hard to open and close. I have had buckets like this before and not had as much trouble.
111090
I have no experience with pecans. I only tried to use them on macadamia nuts, which are very hard, and this nutcracker was not effective. I believe pecans are not as hard to crack and this may work. The problem is the lack of adequate leverage.
451152
I had the same problem. You have to pull the silver handle up REAL hard the first time. After that they open easy! Good Luck!
1662805
No, there isn't a trick haha. Mine really snap shut pretty hard so it takes a little strength to get them open but I never had a problem. Good luck.
1868191
somewhat difficult. They stick together and I have to moisten my fingers like when opening a newspaper, but then they open easily. Other than that they are excellent - no leaks as they have no holes in the bottom. Maybe you could open a weekly supply for her and store them in one bag?