How To Open A Can Without A Can Opener?

opened can with spoon on the table
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Haven’t we all got stuck in a camping site or Airbnb unable to open a can? Most of us have been through this. Isn’t it?

Obviously, yes. One of the most common things we all forget to pack in our utility bags is can openers. But, at the same time, a can opener is of utmost importance, especially if self-cooking is in your schedule. It is an essential accessory because most eatables, sauces, dressers, tuna, and processed food nowadays come in cans. And you literally would be stuck in the absence of a can opener.

Do you think you can open cans without a can opener? Actually, yes. You obviously can open food cans even if you don’t have a can opener with a spoon or knife. All you need is a willingness to put in some effort.

3 Methods To Open A Can Without A Can Opener

What if you are capable of opening a can without a can opener?

The absence of a can opener won’t spoil your cooking plans on your vacations anymore if you can open a can without a can opener. Maybe your girlfriend will love you a little more for teaching her how to open a can of tuna without a can opener.

Or the next time you see your fellow camper worrying about how to open a can without a can opener, go and impress them with any of these uber-cool ideas.

Here we are introducing three different methods in which you can open a can without a can opener.

Open The Can With A Spoon

Can opened with a spoon

The opening of a can without a can opener is best done with a spoon. Spoon is pretty common and readily available almost everywhere. Maybe that is why this method is considered the best option to open a can when you don’t have a can opener.

All you need to open a can with a spoon is some time and a metal spoon. Let’s see how it is done.

  1. Place the can on a table, countertop, or any other stable surface.
  2. You can use one of your hands to wrap around the can firmly and retain it on the table or countertop.
  3. Take a metal spoon on your other hand. Place the spoon at a 90 degree over the can. Hold the spoon such that the bowl part of the spoon is towards the lid. Try to hold the spoon towards the bottom part with only a few inches spoon’s handle sticking out of your hands.
  4. Apply a little pressure and start rubbing the spoon on a small area of the can’s lid. You have to do this vigorous rubbing on the place exactly where you usually puncture with a can opener.
  5. Keep rubbing at the same place for a few minutes. You can see the lid’s metal thinning, and a hole will be eventually created on the lid.
  6. Insert the spoon through the hole created. Pry the spoon’s edge upward to break the lid’s top. Continue doing the same on the entire perimeter of the can’s lid, and you can now completely take off the lid.

Tip: The lid’s and can’s edges will be sharp, so better do this with gloves or soft cloth on your hands.

Here is quick video from DaveHax Youtube Channel that explains thoroughly how a Can be opened with a spoon.

Open the Can With a Knife

How about opening a can with a knife when you don’t have a knife opener? The next time you don’t have a can opener, all you need is a knife to open the can of your favorite sauce or dressing.

However, you can’t perform this method unless you have a chef’s knife. It would be best if you have a large and heavy knife without a bolster covering the heels of the knife. You really can’t open a can with a steak knife, pruning knife, or any other regular knife.

Are you wondering how to open a can with a knife? If yes, below is a step by step guide.

  1. Place the can on a table or any other stable surface.
  2. We are not using the pointed part of the knife here. Instead, we are going to open the can with the heels of a chef knife. If you don’t know where is the knife’s heel, it is actually the part of the blade closest to the knife’s handle. The heels of the blade are usually wider than the pointed part.
  3. Hold the knife over the can such that the knife’s heel stays perpendicular to the can.
  4. Push the corner of the knife’s heels and press it into the lid at an angle. You can now see the lid getting perforated. If you have any trouble perforating with the lid by pressing the heels, you can try applying more pressure by leaning over it.
  5. Repeat the process across the rim to take off the can’s lid completely.

Tip: Always choose a knife with a good grip. Avoid using slippery knives as they would cause injuries. Trying to open the can with narrower part of the knife can also lead to injuries; use the heel instead.

Here is a quick video from Taras Kul Youtube Channel that explains thoroughly how to open the can with a knife.

Open the Can Using a Rough Surface

Sometimes, when you are on a camping site or hiking trail, you may not always have a metal spoon or chef’s knife nearby. So, how will you open the can of your favorite food? If you are ready to put in some effort, all you really need is a rough surface or concrete piece.

Let’s see how to open a can without a can opener using a rough surface.

  1. Look and find a flat surface of concrete or rock.
  2. Place the can upside down over the rough surface and rub it back and forth.
  3. Continue rubbing the lid until you see the lid or rock moisten. This usually happens when the lid thins and can be easily broken.
  4. You can now use a pocket knife, screwdriver, or a regular knife to pry open the lid. The lid can now be easily removed as it is thinned by rubbing it over a rough surface.

Tip: Don’t rub the can over the rough surface vigorously as it would lead to spilling of the content inside the can.

Here is a quick video from OVRLXND Youtube Channel that explains thoroughly how to open the can using a rough surface.

Conclusion

Aren’t you now capable of opening a can without a can opener?

The next time you or your partner forgets to get a can opener for your camping, you really don’t have to get stuck thinking about how to open the can of your favorite tunas. You don’t essentially need a can opener to open cans. You can do the same with a metal spoon, chef’s knife, or even a rough surface.

Save these alternative methods in your head to open a can without a can opener to save yourself the next time you forget to take a can opener!

Want more tips and tricks with updates? Then stay tuned!

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