3 Genius Hacks for Opening a Can Without a Can Opener

Stacey Feintuch
·4 min read

It's happened to all of us: You go to open a can of chicken soup when you're sick, or a can of tuna to make a sandwich and realize you can't find the can opener. Rather than throw your hands up in the air and give up on dinner altogether, don't panic—it is actually possible to open a can without a can opener.

Yes, electric and manual can openers are lifesavers when opening preserved soups, beans, fruits and veggies, but it's still possible to get these tin contraceptions unfastened even if you can't find yours anywhere.

A can’s lid really is just a thin piece of metal but it’s meant to open. “It might take a little extra work and patience, but it is doable,” says Stacie Zollars, founder of SugarFace Bakes and author of The Best Damn Cookbook. “Remember, the top lid is meant for opening—we just have to get a little creative with our methods.”

Knives and spoons are thicker than that lid, so you can use those tools to help cut through that surface. “While these methods can be effective in emergencies, they may be more time-consuming and carry certain risks,” says Chef Chris Nirschel, founder and CEO of Culinary Bad Boy Productions and Food Network Star Season 7 finalist.

So, with that in mind, here's how to open a can without a can opener the safe way.

Related: 32 Cheap & Easy Canned Black Bean Recipes

How To Open a Can With a Spoon

One option is to try opening a can with a metal spoon. (The plastic variety is too flimsy.)

Start by placing the can on a flat surface that’s stable, flat and steady so that it won’t slip or slide. “To open a can with a spoon, use the spoon’s edge as a makeshift can opener,” says Nirschel. “Place the spoon’s edge against the can lid near the seam and apply pressure while rocking the spoon back and forth. Repeat this motion around the entire lid until it loosens and can be easily removed.”

SAFETY NOTE: The edges of a can’s lid can be sharp so be careful not to cut yourself.

Related: 40 Best Canned Soup Recipes

How To Open a Can With a Knife

You can still enjoy your baked beans if you’re camping and only have a pocket knife. You can also use a cleaver or the heel of a chef’s knife, which is the part of the blade closest to the handle. A butter knife will be too flimsy. The bigger and heavier the knife the better; that extra weight will help stabilize the knife and help it poke through the lid.

"Place your can on a sturdy, nonslip area surface," says Alain Lemaire, co-owner and executive chef of Sensory Delight, a catering company in South Florida.

Then, use Nirschel's tip: “Hold the can firmly in one hand and angle the tip of the knife towards the lid's edge,” he says. “Apply pressure and puncture the can, then slowly rotate the knife around the can’s perimeter to create a lid opening.”

According to Zollars, you can also “rub an upside-down metal spoon around the top edge of a can lid until you pierce through the thin metal. This is probably the safest way that I recommend.”

SAFETY NOTE:  Keep the blade of the knife away from yourself, says Lemaire. Also, be careful when you remove the lid. “The knife will make the edges be as sharp and rough as a serrated knife.”

Make sure that the knife is clean. You don’t want dust or dirt to get into what’s inside the can. And remember that the knife can slip if you aren’t in control. “Opening a can with a knife requires caution and precision,” says Nirschel. “Be careful to avoid any accidents while performing this method.”

How To Open a Can on a Rough Surface

If you’re out in the wilderness without any tools, turn to nature to help open that can of chili you’re dreaming of. “Opening a can on a rough surface can provide some leverage for opening,” says Nirschel. He says to look for a textured or rough surface such as concrete or a stone. “Firmly hold the can against the surface at a slight angle. Apply pressure on the lid using a spoon, knife or any other suitable tool to create a puncture or an initial opening,” he says. “Once the initial opening is made, continue applying pressure and leverage to remove the lid fully.”

Clean any metal shavings off with a T-shirt or sweat rag, says Lemaire.

Related: 35 Best Healthy Canned Foods

SOURCES:

  • Chef Chris Nirschel is the founder and CEO of Culinary Bad Boy Productions, a Food Network Star Season 7 finalist and a Chopped contestant.

  • Alain Lemaire is the co-owner and executive chef of the catering company Sensory Delight in South Florida

  • Stacie Zollars is the founder of SugarFace Bakes and author of The Best Damn Cookbook