Imagine this scenario: you’ve recently come from a long day of snowboarding in the mountains. Now you’ve returned to the cabin you’re renting with your pals. You look up and down in every cabinet for a can opener, chilled and ready for your favourite can of soup, all to no luck. Although ordering takeaway may seem like the only option, there are various ways to open a can without using a can opener.
If you ever find yourself in a precarious (and hungry) scenario like this, here’s a quick tutorial to help you brush up on your survival abilities.
Though a rough surface or a pocketknife can be used to open a can in an emergency, you prefer to use fewer sharp edges. Without the need for a can opener, we’ve identified a safe and simple way to open a can. Instead of using a knife to pry the can open, try some common equipment from your cutlery cabinet.
What Is This Mysterious Weapon? It Is a Metal Spoon.
Yes, you can open a can with just a metal spoon. Even if you don’t have a can opener, chances are you have a metal spoon in your kitchen. This easy technique works every time. The metal of the spoon stretches and slices through the metal of the can lid with minimal friction. This method requires the use of a metal spoon; plastic spoons will not work.
Even with the correct equipment, opening a can could be dangerous—the aluminum top is very sharp and can quickly cause serious cuts if you’re not cautious. When you don’t have a handy can opener to take your hands away from the razor-sharp lid, the danger is increased. However a metal spoon is less dangerous than a pointed knife, it’s still essential to handle the can carefully because the lid is still very pointed.
How to Use a Metal Spoon to Open a Can
Place the can on a stable table or tabletop and secure it.
Hold the spoon at a 90-degree angle over the can with the bowl at the base with your other hand. Place the spoon’s end against the can’s inner lid, from the inside of the spoon’s bowl going in. Place the spoon in the can’s lip groove, in which the lid touches the rim.
Jumping back and forth over a limited region, push the spoon’s tip against the can’s lip until the metal thins and the spoon scrapes through the lid. Continue rubbing the spoon through the metal around the can’s rim unless you’ve completed the task. The lid should come loose when you’ve circled the whole can.
Peel the lid upwards with the spoon, which has been dug under the lid. Keep your finger away from the sharp edge of the lid. Remove the lid with a towel to cover your hand.
While we try to use the safest methods possible in these cases, we understand that a metal spoon may not always be available. Here are two more alternatives to using a can opener to open a can.
Chef’s Knife Is an Alternative Method
If you should get into the can swiftly and/or are confident with your knife abilities, consider using the heel of a chef’s knife (the blade closest to the handle) as an ancient can-opener. This is preferable to utilizing the point, which has the potential to slip (or even break) and cause harm.
Nevertheless, you’ll have to have a knife that doesn’t have a bolster covering the heel. The thick section in front of the handle of certain knives is known as the bolster. Strongly grasp the handle and align the back corner of the blade (the heel) with the seam of the can.
If you have got a pocket knife or a small paring knife, you can place the can on a flat, stable surface and use the tip of the knife to pierce it. Be cautious! The knife might simply slip if the can or knife is not carefully controlled. The lid will finally come off if you continue to puncture holes evenly around the can’s edges.
Using a Rough Surface to Open a Can
Is it really necessary to bring a can opener, a metal spoon, and a pocket knife? Although it may seem that you’ll have to live the rest of your family vacation on the granola bars you brought, you’re not completely out of luck. There’s one more technique to open a can without a can opener, but it requires a lot of strength and patience.
Locate a rough surface, such as a stone or a block of concrete, then sand down the can’s ridge until the seal on the top is broken. Make sure to turn the can to sand the top uniformly, and also have an extra t-shirt or sweat rag on hand to collect and wipe off the top when it ultimately explodes. Trying to squeeze the can’s sides from time to time also helps to keep the top seal under pressure. You’ve struck (liquid) gold once wetness appears on your makeshift sander, and the can’s seal must be broken.
Using Scissors to Open a Can
Set your scissors point-down on top of a can next to the can’s lip, keeping the blades of your scissors shut at first. To prevent the scissors from slipping, make sure one hand is holding onto the handle.
Press the scissors against the can with the palm of your other hand to puncture it. Don’t grab the can at this moment. This is to prevent injury if the blade slips or the can moves. Put the can on a flat surface that is at least a forearm’s length from your body.
If you’re standing, ensure your feet are planted firmly on the floor, and if you’re kneeling, make sure your groin is well away from the activity.
Finally
All these are a few can-opening tips, tactics, and travel tips if you don’t have a can opener. It isn’t always simple, but you might not have to depend on hand tools to complete the task. You can break into any canned foodstuff with a tight grip and some good ancient problem-solving abilities.
