How to Open a Can Without a Can Opener

You have a can that you want to open, but you don’t have a can opener. And now that? If you’ve ever found yourself in this situation, the article is perfect for you. The cans have a thin metal lid that can be relatively easy to break without a can opener if you know how to use the correct technique. To do this, you will only need a knife, a spoon, a razor or any other similar instrument, and follow our steps so that you know how to easily open a can without a can opener.

Table of Contents

How to open a can without a can opener?

Using a metal spoon to open a can is one of the most practical options if you don’t have a can opener handy. Of course, you should choose a resistant spoon made of strong material so that it does not bend during the process. To open it, follow these steps:

Hold it firmly with the hand you won’t be using the spoon with.
With the can be stabilized, place the spoon on the lid’s edge, in the slight indentation they usually have. Place the tip of the spoon down at about a 45-degree angle.
Next, take a firm grip on the spoon’s handle and place your thumb on its back to move it back and forth as hard as possible to cut through the aluminum.
During the friction, you will observe how the can wear and opens. It will create a small opening that you can continue to scoop around the lid’s entire circumference.
Lift the lid and remove its contents.
You have to use a lot of force for the spoon to get through the aluminum. If you see that you hurt your hands, you can hold the spoon with a cloth in between to soften the contact.

Use a knife

The most useful utensil to open a can without a can opener is undoubtedly the knife. It is effective, although you must be very careful not to cut yourself, because the sharper the knife is effective, it will be at opening the can. To do this, follow the steps that we indicate below.

Put the can on a stable surface such as a kitchen counter.
Insert the tip of the knife into the lid, in the indentation closest to the edge.
Hold the knife by the handle while making a firm fist and keeping your thumb up. With the palm of your free hand, you should hit the knife’s handle until it is inserted into the can. This step is dangerous, so do it carefully, so you don’t lose control of the knife and hurt yourself. As a precaution, we recommend wearing gloves to carry out this process.
After a few strokes, you will see how the knife will begin to make a small hole in the can. Next, move the knife a few inches and repeat the operation to create another hole.
Repeat the process until the entire edge of the can has small holes. At this point, the lid will be weakened and you can insert the knife horizontally to trim the lid.
Ready! In a few minutes, you will have the can open. This option will also help you if you are looking to open a can without a plate, that is, a can with the ring broken.

You can use the sharp part of the blade that is closest to the handle of the knife. This tip can be used as a can opener, as you can use it to cut the aluminum around the lid’s entire circumference.

Open a can with a razor

As with other utensils, the knife is a very effective tool to open a can without a can opener. Thanks to the knife, you will be able to pry and extract the contents of the can quickly and efficiently, as long as it is a can with a fine and thin seal. Just keep the following in mind:

Stick the knife into the fold of the lid seal. The exact point will be the edge of the can.
Once you have nailed the knife, lift the lid carefully so as not to cut yourself.
Ready! Remove the cap carefully and discard it.

Help yourself with pliers

If you have needle nose pliers, you can use them to open a can quickly and easily. The steps are simple:

Rest the can on a stable surface and hold it firmly with one hand.
Take the pliers and place them over the edge of the lid. Try to place the tips over the fold of the seal, as this is the point where you can open the can more easily.
In this position, stick the tip in and twist the pliers. Repeat the process around the lid, as if it were a can opener.
As soon as you finish cutting the can with the pliers, you can open it by pressing it lightly.

Opening a can with sturdy scissors

You can use sturdy metal cutting shears or garden scissors to try to open the can. They should be sharp and thick so they won’t bend as you try to open the can. It is an easy and effective method for which you will only have to follow these steps:

Stick the scissors’ tip into the can’s outer edge until you open a hole in the aluminum.
In this position, slide the scissors around the can to quickly cut it open.

Open a can with a stone

If you are away from home and do not have any utensils at hand, do not worry, there is still some possibility of opening your preserves without a can opener. How? Using a stone following the steps that we give you below:

Locate a stone that is somewhat pointed and on which you can apply pressure.
Place the can on top of the stone and hold it firmly as you rub the can against the stone. This friction should be done for 5 minutes and will serve to file the edge of the can.
Press against the stone until you notice that the lid has come off the edges. At that time, pressing with your fingers, you will be able to take it off a little more.
The lid may not open completely during the process, but once you have taken it off, using a cloth to avoid cutting yourself, you can finish opening it completely.

Open a can with a brick

Another good option to open a can if you don’t have kitchen utensils on hand is to use a brick block or even the sidewalk itself. It is a very simple procedure. Take note:

Turn the can upside down. The top part should be on the brick.
Then press down on the can and rub it hardback and forth until the lid is worn away. This technique is similar to opening the can with a stone.
After wearing down the cap, you can open it with a little pressure. If it doesn’t open, repeat the process to wear it down a bit more and make it easier.
These steps can lead to metal shavings. Try to clean them so that they do not reach the inside of the can and spoil its contents.

Decor Ideas