So, you just moved into a new apartment. After setting up the living room, bedroom and kitchen, you are exhausted and famished. You decide to prepare a can of soup as a quick meal, but you can’t find a can opener.

You might have misplaced it while moving or forgot to pack it altogether, but right now, you need to figure out how to open the can of soup without a can opener. The thought of ordering takeout might be an easy way out, but you just moved into a new area. You are also exhausted and famished, so getting a new can opener is not an alternative. What options do you have?

Fortunately, there are a couple of ways you can open a can without a can opener. However, you should note that even with the right tools, opening a can is quite dangerous because the lid is sharp, and cuts are imminent if you aren’t careful. Let’s look at three common ways to open a can without a can opener. 

Use a Metal Spoon

As strange as this might sound, using a sturdy spoon is one of the safest methods to open a can without a can opener. However, regardless of this method’s safety, one must be careful during the process to avoid getting cut. Remember, the can’s lid is made of metal and is sharp. Here’s how to use a metal spool to open a can:

Step 1

With one hand and a firm grip, place the can on a flat, solid surface like a countertop or table.

Step 2

On the other hand, grab a spoon and hold it so that the spoon’s bowl faces the interior edge of the can. This way, the tip of the spoon will be directly against the inner lid of the can. 

Step 3

While holding down the can as explained in step 1 and the spoon positioned as described in step 2, rub the tip of the spoon on the lid of the can. Repeat this repeatedly over a small area until the metal is worn down. Move the spoon to another small can area and repeat the same process until you circle the entire can. 

Step 4

Carefully press any worn-down areas on the can until it punctures. Then, move the spoon through the rest of the lid like a lever until the entire lid is off. When a metal spoon isn’t available, what other methods or tools can you use to open metal cans?

Use a Chef’s Knife

Using a chef’s knife (or a pocket knife) as a can opener is a lot faster, probably the fastest means to open a can. you can’t wait to dig into the content of the can, then this method isn’t a bad option. However, this method isn’t the safest, so you must be careful if you use a chef’s knife. Below are steps to follow when using a chef’s knife:

Step 1

Place the can on a flat solid surface and hold it firm and steady. 

Step 2

Take the chef’s knife and place its heel (the point close to the handle) upright around the inner edge of the can’s rim. It is safer to use the heel of the knife rather than the point, which can either slip or even break and cause an injury. You also have to ensure your fingers don’t touch the blade of the sharp knife. Furthermore, for this method to work, get a knife that doesn’t have a bolster covering the heel. 

Step 3

Push down the corner of the knife’s heel at an angle until it pierces the lid, just like the old modeled lever-type can opener. Redo this process around the entire can’s rim until the lid is delicate enough for you to open.

Additional Tips

If the available knife is either a paring or pocket knife, it can still serve as a can opener – only this time, you will be using the pointed part of the knife. Place the can on a flat surface, puncture holes around the edges of the can with the sharp end of the blade, and the lid will eventually come off. Be careful, so the knife doesn’t slip to avoid a cut. 

Let’s say you find yourself in a place with neither a knife, a spoon, nor a can opener. It could be a road trip or a camping trip. Even the most organized people forget the simple things when packing for a trip.  So what do you do when there is no spoon, can opener, or knife, but you need to open a can of soup?

Use a Rough Surface

This process is relatively straightforward, but achieving the desired result will take a while. So you will need to be patient and apply a lot of force while at it. Here’s how to go about it:

Step 1

Find a rough surface or concrete and place the can’s top facing down against it.

Step 2

Then sand down the ridge of the can against the rough surface. Ensure you evenly rotate the can while smoothing down the top ridge. This way, the edges of the can get evenly worn down. You will have to squeeze the sides as often as possible to help put pressure on the top seal.

Step 3

Keep at it until you notice moisture on the rock. This is a sign that indicates the seal has broken, and you can stop, or else you might find the contents of the can all over the rough surface. You should also be wary of metal shavings falling the can when using this method.

Conclusion 

It is not impossible to open a can if you do not have a can opener, as you can apply the above tricks. However, these methods are trickier than they seem and require patience and carefulness to avoid sustaining any injury and require caution and patience to avoid getting injured. Remember, using a can opener remains the safest method to open a can, and it is advised you get one if you don’t have one.

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