You know that trusty can opener rattling around in your kitchen cabinet? Well, youre probably using it wrong.
The way most people (including myself) use their handheld can opener is vertically, with the cutting edge on top of the lip and the turning knob sitting on the side of the can.
This method absolutely gets the job done, but there are always a few issues to deal with. Maybe the lid isnt completely cut all the way around, and so you have to pry it up with a fork or a finger, or the lid is cut, but then it falls into the can and then you need to fish it out when you dump the contents.
Fortunately, theres another way to do it that wont result in sharp edges or needing to use your fingers to remove the lid from inside the can. Heres how to use your can opener the right way.
When this happens, simply place the can opener on top of the can and gently lift the bottom end for a few seconds while pressing the start button. This will make it easier for the blade and gear to grab the can. Watch as it cuts entirely along the side of the can without touching it.
What kind of can opener are we talking about here?
Before we start, there are several types of can openers for the kitchen, which more or less all serve the purpose of opening up a can. However, for this tip, well be working with your run-of-the-mill, hand-operated can opener, which you probably have sitting in a kitchen drawer. This type of can opener– known as a bunker can opener — has two plierlike handles, a cutting wheel and a knob you turn to rotate the wheel around the can.
Here’s the right way to use your can opener
Now that youve got the correct can opener in hand, its time to open a can — the correct way! Instead of putting the knob on the side of the can and puncturing the lid from the top, rotate the can opener so that the handle is parallel with the lid, facing up, and the cutting wheel pierces the side of the can, right below the lip of the can. Now just rotate the hand right above the lid until the lid is completely removed from the can, which means itll probably be stuck to the can opener. You can check out the photo below for guidance.
The first time you use this method, you may have a little trouble starting because it requires a little more oomph to cut through the side of the can, but youll soon get the hang of it.
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FAQ
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