How To Open A Can Without A Can Opener: 5+ Ideas That You Must Try

If you are always on a run, chances are your grocery list must have one or more canned items, for instance, soup or rasgullas. But oh snap! Where is your can opener? Did you get it? No? Then, you better learn how to open a can without a can opener to save your time.

Canned dishes ease a lot of hassles in terms of being easily accessible, quick to cook, occupying less storage space, etc. But it’s just the top lid removing which might become a troublesome task. Well, not anymore because in this article you’ll get to know the 5 easiest ways of opening a can without a can opener.

As long as you’re concerned about lid coverings of cans, there are a plethora of alternative things (easily available at home) that you can use in the absence of a can opener. So without any further ado, let’s dive in.

How To Open A Can Without A Can Opener?

Canned dishes are go-to options for many people as long as you can remember where your can opener is or to whom you lend it. But don’t worry if you can’t find it the very moment you need it because you’re about to discover ways to open a can without a can opener-

• Scissors/Kitchen Knife

A pair of scissors or a kitchen knife are other splendid and convenient things that you surely have at home.

• Place and hold your can on a stable hard place or kitchen countertop.
• Now hold the kitchen knife/scissors in your other hand. Exerting a slight pressure on the edges of the lid in a circular direction to prick the lid.
• Once the lid is completely ruptured, take it off the can. Ensure that you use a kitchen towel or put on oven gloves otherwise your hands can get hurt.

Image Source: DIY Joy

NOTE: Keep your hands safe from sharp knife blades and scissors blades with the right positioning.

 Chef’s Knife

If you’re searching for how to open a can without a can opener, then a chef’s knife is your best companion in the kitchen. Their size and weight can ease the entire process of learning opening a can without a can opener:

• Place and hold your can on a stable hard place or kitchen countertop.
• Now hold the chef’s kitchen knife in the palm of your empty hand. Make sure the edge of the knife blade towards the end meets the opening of the can. You can also pierce the lid using the front end of the knife, it’s totally up to you.
• Now, exert very little pressure on the sideways of the can lid in a circular motion. To do so, you can lean a bit forward but remember-

1. Don’t over-pressurize the can.
2. Free your hand from the can and place it over the front end (upwards) to put the pressure.

• Tearing off the lid, slide the knife into the cut and open the lid.

NOTE: Keep your hands safe from the knife’s blades with the right positioning and pierce off the lid carefully.

Metal Spoon/Fork

A metal spoon or fork is the most conveniently found thing in any kitchen.

• For this, place the can on the kitchen countertop (or a solid flat surface) and hold it with either hand.
• Now hold the metal spoon or fork in the other hand and place its lower backside (for spoon)/pointed front (for fork) on the top of the can lid. Exert some pressure rubbing the spoon’s tip back and forth/moving the fork’s pointed side on the entire lid making tiny holes.
• Move your hands all around the lid as we do with a can opener.
• Once the spoon/fork breaks through the lid, pop it outwardly with little force. Remember not to touch the edges of the can and lid as it might be rough and piercing. Use a kitchen towel to get the lid off the can.

And you’re done!

• Hard Rough Surface Rub

You must learn how to open a can without a can opener if you are on an outing or camping.

• Find a hard, solid, and flat surface or rock.
• Put the can upside-down on the surface so that the lid is facing the surface.
• Then hold the can and rub it back and forth. This frictional force will create moisture between the can and the surface which will weaken the metal. So keep checking the lid frequently to avoid the food from spilling out.
• When you think the metal is soft enough to break, cut through the edges around the parameter carefully with a thick towel/cloth tied around your hands to not get cut.

NOTE: Don’t use a rock to break through the lid as it can infect the food inside the can. Also, cleanse the lid sideways with a clean cloth before pouring the content out.

Opening A Can Without A Can Opener Household Tools

Whether travelling or at home, you can always use some handy household tools to open a can.

Box Cutter

A box cutter is an easy-to-use tool that can cut through the can lid in almost no time.

• Place the can on a kitchen countertop or the floor.
• Hold it with your right hand (or left if you’re a lefty) from the middle.
• Pierce a cut through the lid with the sharp edge of the box cutter.
• Now rotate the cutter alongside the edges of the can lid and pull it over.

File Tool/Filer

A file tool set can also be a very utilitarian choice for opening a can opener. 

• Put the can on a steady place.
• Hold it with one of your hands.
• Now hit the can lid with the filer a few times to cut through. Or else, mark an X on the can lid and try to cut up the can with the filer.

Needle Nose Plier

A needle nose plier has sharp and pointed edges that can help cut off a can lid.

• Grab a can from the middle ensuring that your hands are away from its mouth.
• Rotate the can as you cut through the lid with the pliers.

 Screwdriver

Any toolbox is incomplete without a screwdriver. So let’s read further about how to use it for opening a can.

• Hold on to the can from the middle while it lies on a stable surface.
• Hit the can lid with a little pressure to make a hole in it. Then drag along the edges of the hole, cutting the lid and take out the contents.

NOTE: Although household tools can be used to open the can lid without a can opener, it is not recommended to use them uncleaned for food/drink cans as it might adulterate the contents inside. Nevertheless, they can be used with paint cans.