Canned foods are indispensable not only at home, but also in other situations. They can come in handy while hiking, picking berries, hunting or in the country. Moreover, it often happens that there are no special tools for opening cans. In this case, there is no need to worry, because there are many ways to solve this problem.
Pocket knife
The packaging is made from a thin sheet of tin that can be easily cut with a regular knife. In this case, you will need very little effort, and the contents of the jar will remain intact. To do this you should:
- Place the jar on a flat surface and place the tip of the knife over the inner rim of the lid.
- It is necessary to hold the knife strictly in a vertical position and in no case at an angle. To avoid injury, you should hold the handle firmly.
- Next, lightly tap the handle of the device with the fist of your free hand. This will allow the tip of the knife to pass through the metal. The blow should not be too powerful so that the tool does not jump out of your hands.
- Then you need to move the tip a few centimeters along the edge and make another hole. So you need to go along the entire border of the lid.
- Next, the tip of the knife is passed through one of the recesses and the lid is carefully bent upward.
Since the edges of the metal are sharp, it is better to protect your hands with a towel when bending the lid.
How to easily open a tin can with an opener
The classic way to open is to use a can opener, which consists of a working part and a handle. The working part at the end contains a stop in the form of a loop and two wedges: the large one can open canned food, the smaller one can open the lids of glass containers or bottles.
Many canned foods can be opened without a can opener.
The handle can be plastic, wood or metal. This is an old, time-tested method. A plus is the reliability and simplicity of the opener. But revealing something to her is not always too easy.
Important! You need to make an effort to make the first hole, and it’s not always possible to open the jar carefully. Using a hammer and knife, you can easily make a hole. But if there is no tool, only experience and physical strength will help. In this case, only a physically developed man can handle it with ease.
Bare hands
There are times when there are no objects nearby at all. In this situation, you have to rely only on your own hands. The method will only work for a strong and physically fit person:
- Hold the jar between your palms. In this case, it should be located horizontally. Make a dent in the center of the side with your fingers. Then you need to press again on the resulting depression so that the metal bends inward even more.
- The same steps must be repeated on the other side.
- Now you should take both bottoms with your palms and make uniform rotational movements towards each other. The deflection area should crack. The jar can be divided into two halves.
The bare-hand method is suitable if there is not a large amount of brine or oil inside the jar.
How to open condensed milk
It won’t be difficult to open condensed milk without a bottle opener if the person is physically strong.
A can of condensed milk can be opened without an opener.
To do this you need to do the following:
- First place the jar in a plastic bag so as not to injure your hands. The bag is also able to preserve the contents so that they do not spill out;
- Place the jar, holding it horizontally with the palms of both hands, and make a dent in the middle with your fingers, repeat several times in a circle;
- Take both diameters of the jar with your hands and make counter movements, clamping the container. As a result, the formed deflections will crack, which will allow it to open in half.
By analogy, you can open canned corn or stew. You can simplify the task and use another method, but with a special device. Let's look at how to open a can with a wheeled opener.
A can opener with a wheel is an old proven tool:
Modern manufacturers are ready to offer customers a large number of modifications of this tool. The best and safest option is with a wheel. You can purchase it in stores for fishing, recreation and tourism, as this tool is a must-have attribute on hikes.
Canned food can also be opened with a wheeled opener.
The uncorking algorithm consists of the following actions:
- First you need to install the opener gear on the jar lid on top of the outer rim.
- Squeeze the handles of the opener.
- There should be a noise or hissing sound, which means that the spinning wheel has successfully pierced the iron surface of the can.
Spoon
This method is suitable for those who are afraid of knives. This will require a strong metal spoon, great physical effort and time. The cutlery should be placed in exactly the same way as in the already discussed method with a pocket knife. Next, they begin to rub the lid forward with it until the tin is worn out. After some time, a hole forms in the material. Then the spoon can be used as a knife, opening the jar around the entire perimeter.
You should be careful, as with this method of opening the edges of the can are very sharp and dangerous.
With a chef's knife
For effective work, a knife with a massive blade is suitable. It weighs much more than regular steak cutting tools. The technology for opening a can using this device is as follows:
- Place the container on a table or find another stable surface. For safety reasons, you should not squeeze it between your knees.
- Hold the knife handle firmly in your hand. Make sure your fingers are away from the tip and on the sides of the handle.
- Place the heel (the widest part of the blade) above the inner rim of the can near the side. Firmly secure the heel to the lid so that the knife does not slip during the piercing process.
- Sometimes you can't make a hole the first time. You can stand up, lean on the can, and then press down on it with all your weight.
- You should not hit the container. This method is considered slow but effective.
- It is highly undesirable to use the sharp end of a knife for work. You can not only bend the blade, but also get hurt.
- Move the knife along the edge a few centimeters and make similar holes. The lid is almost open.
- Insert the tip of a knife into one of the slots and point the lid upward.
Types of can knives
On the modern market you can find different types of knives for opening cans, so each housewife will choose an option specifically for herself. There are several main types of devices, each of which differs in design and operating features. Depending on this, the most suitable option is selected.
You can use it to open a can of green peas or a bottle of beer in a matter of seconds.
Manual
These are the simplest types of devices that have been common for a long time. Characterized by durability and long service life. They are structures with wooden handles and a metal cutting part. It, in turn, consists of two elements - for opening cans, as well as prying off the lids on glass seals. This part is attached using plastic or wood. The strength and durability of the product depends on this.
Manual canning knives are durable.
The design with the wheel is just as simple. At the same time, it is safer compared to the previous option. By rotating the cutting teeth, the can is opened.
Mechanical
Such devices are more complex. At the same time, their functionality allows use in catering establishments. The operating principle is quite simple. The sharp end pierces the lid of the jar, after which it is secured. Rotation occurs using a special valve.
Such devices are used by the catering industry.
Additional Information. Typically made from durable steel. You can open up to thirty different cans per day. Fixes the structure tightly on the table, which allows you to quickly open the desired container. You can process up to five cans in a minute.
Among the special characteristics of such knives it should be noted:
- reliable fastening and a working surface that does not lend itself to rust formation processes;
- sharpened blade made of high-strength steel;
- a plastic bushing that can significantly reduce the force during rotational movement;
- high speed of assembly and disassembly, so there is no need to use additional equipment;
- Can be washed even in the dishwasher.
It is capable of uncorking any type of canning containers at a speed of 5 pieces per minute.
Note! This option is an excellent device for home use. Especially suitable for those who often open canned food.
Automatic
A simple and practical model that is very easy to use in practice. Batteries are used for operation. The device is installed directly next to the lid, after which it is started by a special switch.
This knife model is fast and easy to use.
It has the following advantages:
- ease of use at home - no need to make any effort, even a beginner can handle opening;
- safety - the opening points remain smooth, so it is impossible to cut yourself on them, which eliminates the possibility of domestic injuries;
- compactness – takes up a small amount of free space;
- there is a magnetic coating that allows you to easily attach the blade to the lid without damaging the contents of the jar;
- long service life - if used correctly, the device can last for many years.
Before using an automatic can opener, you should carefully study the operating instructions for the device. Care should be taken during operation. Keep the device out of the hands of children.
Before using an automatic can opener, you must read the instructions.
Do not use a bottle opener to open containers with flammable contents. To clean the product from contamination, it is necessary to completely remove the automation.
Electrical
The product looks like a manual analogue. Many models are made in the form of a cutting wheel with a wooden holder. Used to open a can at maximum speed. There is a motor inside that drives the impeller. Each model has different operating features.
The first device of this type was developed on the basis of a manual analogue with a cutting wheel.
It operates according to this principle:
- using the holder, the opener is fixed on the lid of the jar;
- the switch activates the motor, after which the automatic opening of the can begins;
- removing the retainer from the jar lid.
Modern manufacturers offer many different options. There are portable and desktop models. The first option takes energy from batteries, and the second - when connected to the network. You can also find multi-function devices that are designed to open different types of cans.
An electric can opener allows you to uncork containers as quickly as possible.
Important! Before you start opening the can, you need to carefully secure the opener with a lock.
Sandpaper or stone
You can also use asphalt or a concrete block with a rough texture. A polished object will not create the necessary friction to pierce the lid.
The jar is placed on the paper upside down and rubbed with pressure for 30 seconds. The edge of the jar should wear off. The readiness of the product for opening is indicated by the appearance of stripes on the edges. You can also wait for the liquid to appear. The prepared container opens with a simple press of the hand. The lid just flies off. You can find a cobblestone or stick that is convenient to pierce the lid inside the product. This option is effective, but not the best, as metal particles and dirt get into the food.
If microchips or sawdust get in, it is important to remove all debris. Canned food should be opened in sufficient light.
It is difficult to imagine the dynamic life of a modern person without canned food. They allow you to store food for a long time without special conditions. You don't need a bottle opener to open a jar. We hope that the proposed methods and ingenuity will help you not to get confused at the right moment.
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How to open a tin can without an opener and an opener with wheels
Often, at the right time, a device for opening canned food is not at hand. Many people try to open them without a bottle opener using the wrong methods. Someone crushes it between two stones, rendering the contents unusable.
Canned food can be opened by heating it.
Or they heat it over an open fire, trying to soften the metal container, but in the end they end up spoiling the taste of the product. But, even without special tools, following the instructions you can cope with this difficult task.
