Do you know how to open a can without a can opener? While it may sound like this would be difficult to do, that’s not the case.
Of course, using a can opener is the best way forward. It makes life a lot easier, and a can opener is also the safest option. But what if your can opener breaks and you are stuck? What do you do?
Well, we will explore a number of options that are available to you. It’s worth noting that we need to do this as safely as possible, which isn’t always easy without a can opener.
But that aside, here are your choices. There are several to work through, and we aren’t saying one is better than the other. But there’s an option if you have no tools to help you out.
An Important Point About Canned Food
But first, let’s give you a quick reminder that canned food is held in a container designed to be opened. The actual tin is thin, and that does mean there’s a pretty good chance you have items in your home that will be capable of piercing the metal and allowing you to gain access to the can’s contents.
In short, you don’t have to give up or feel that this will be impossible.
Now, we aren’t saying that this will be easy to do. It will take some time and effort. It will also take longer than it would with a can opener. But as that’s not an option right here, we have to look at other alternatives.
The Popular Spoon Method
Before we go into key approaches, the safest way would be to wear down the edge of the lid to get into the can. Using the spoon method, you can rub it on the edge until it effectively breaks.
Be aware that this does take time. You are relying on the fact that your spoon is stronger than the metal on the lid. You need to vigorously rub the edge of the lid repeatedly. Make sure you have the spoon facing away from the edge and use the spoon’s handle, as that gives you more pressure.
Step 1: Take the Right Position and Motion
As this spoon method is key to doing this safely, it deserves more attention.
The most important thing here is to hold the length of the spoon in your hand but make sure it’s in the palm of your hand. For more stability, you should hold your pinky in the bowl to put on the correct amount of pressure.
Take the spoon, and rub it over the crimped part of the edge of the tin. You should be doing something that resembles a scrubbing motion.
This should only take a few minutes, but it will eventually wear down the metal and create a hole in the edge of the can.
Step 2: Prizing It Open
Once you manage to make this small hole, use the spoon to prize up the edge of the can. You need to get the metal spoon into the hole and then push it upwards, applying as much force as possible to snap off the lid.
But remember, you don’t need to only use a spoon to do this. You can use something along the lines of a screwdriver instead. The main point is for you to be able to push up on that lid to break through the metal and open the tin.
Using a Chef’s Knife
Another option is to use a chef’s knife. But if you don’t have this one, then a smaller knife can also work, even though it may take longer.
Step 1: Position Your Knife Correctly
The key here is to use the heel of the knife’s blade. You will effectively utilise the edge of the knife to cut open the can’s lid. This means you will be using the first can opener, which was a knife.
Never use the sharp tip of the knife, and this is for two reasons. First, the tip can break off and ruin your knife. The other reason is you will be at more risk of hurting yourself.
Step 2: Ensure That the Can Won’t Easily Slip.
Get your knife and make sure the can is steady. You don’t want to have it on a rough surface where it can move with ease. If you are on a camping trip, use a flat rock or something along those lines.
Step 3: How to Use the Knife
For this, you need to hold the handle of the knife firmly. You cannot afford to have the knife slip in any way.
Positioning the Heel of the Blade
Get the blade’s heel, and line it up with the seam of the lid of the can. Push the blade down, and get it to penetrate the can. You may need to slightly change the angle you have the knife at to make sure the point of the blade’s heel can push through the metal.
At this point, you are using the knife like the old fashioned can opener, but you need to deal with the entire lid for this to be a success.
Making Numerous Wholes Around the Lid of the Can
You have to repeat the process around the can’s lid to do this. You need to perforate it in several spots to pry open the lid upwards.
Using a Smaller Knife
If you have something like a swiss army knife or a pocket knife, all is not lost when you want to open a can without a can opener.
With this, the heel is not going to have that much power. You should then look at trying to pierce the lid with the tip of the knife, but watch it closely in case something breaks.
Assessing the Knife’s Durability
Using this method will depend on your knife’s strength and the thickness of the blade. If it’s thin and flimsy, then don’t do it. The risk of hurting yourself will be high. And you might also break your knife, which is not the best thing to do if you are out on a camping trip.
Outdoors and a Rough Surface
How to open a can without a can opener if you are outside and have no tools whatsoever? It may seem like an impossible task, but that’s not the case.
Step 1: Look For the Ideal Surface
Instead, you need a rough surface rather than a stable one, which will be your best friend.
Step 2: Grab a Cloth or Anything That Can Serve as a Protection
As well as this surface, it would be ideal if you had a rag or cloth of some kind to help you out. Also, wear gloves if you are planning on doing this. It shouldn’t be dangerous trying to open canned food, but this option could get a bit messy from time to time.
Step 3: Rub the Edge of the Can Against the Rough Surface
The key is to use the rough surface to effectively sand down the edge of the tin so you can then get into it. Now, this could produce some metal shavings, so you should try to wear gloves and watch for the outer edge of the can. The chances of producing some sharp edges will be high.
Use the rag to wipe away those shavings. That should make things a bit safer for you.
Eventually, you will wear down the edge, which means you can indeed get into a can without a can opener.
Rotate the can to wear it down in different areas simultaneously. That should make a real difference when it comes to getting the lid off.
Step 4: Check for Any Sign of Wearing Off
If you want to know if you are getting somewhere with the wearing down method, then look for some moisture appearing on the rock or surface you are resting the can on. Keep in mind that there will generally be some sort of liquid inside, so seeing some of that leaking out is a good sign. At least then, you will know you are on the right path.
Getting the Lid Off
No matter the method you use, it’s going to get to the point where you need to be able to get the lid off the can. Of course, a can opener won’t even help with this. You are still left with trying to get something into the inner edge of the lid to then lift it.
However, no doubt, not using a can opener will make things harder.
So, this is what we recommend.
Method 1: Use the Tip of the Spoon
If you have a spoon, and not only if you are using that method, then use the tip to prize up the lid. This is a safe way to pry it up since you can easily get the spoon under the lid and use some pressure to lift it.
Method 2: Use the Blade of the Knife
Another option is the blade of the knife. You need to hold the can with one hand to make sure it doesn’t move, and then use the tip of the blade to pry up the lid. Be careful here as you don’t want to slip or who knows what will happen to the blade itself.
Another tip is to consider a butter knife to help lift the lid off when using any method. That will help you avoid cutting yourself on the edge, as you won’t have the same smoothness when you try to open a can without a can opener.
Pro Tip: Don’t Use Fingers
Whenever possible, don’t use your fingers to pry up the lid. This would not be an advisable method, as it’s difficult to be careful when your fingers are near the edge of some jagged metal.
If you don’t have any tools and need to use your hands, wrap your fingers in some cloth to give added protection.
Taking Extra Precautionary Measure
But no matter the method you plan on using, you need to take care. There will probably be some jagged edges, especially if you use tin snips that burst through the metal. A can opener can still leave those sharp edges, but it will be even worse when using a knife or even wearing it down using a spoon.
Getting to Your Food
And that is how you manage to open a can without a can opener, and as you can see, it is entirely possible to achieve this even with no tools to speak of. Trying to open a can without the correct tools isn’t something you should be doing. Can openers are inexpensive and widely available. But if you are caught out, then at least you now know what to do. Always be safe and keep your fingers out of the way if you choose the knife as a solution!
Have you ever been stuck in a situation with a can and not a can opener? What method did you use?
