The right (wrong) way to open a can

A reponse to a viral video seen on Facebook over the past few days. Because, as we know, it must be true: I saw it on the Internet.

[daveclark]

Either way you do it you're left with a sharp edge. Either the can itself or the lid.

[castironchaos]

I've made Boston baked beans, cakes, pizzas, roasts, pots of stew, pies, turkeys, and lots of chicken dishes. Then I made this video in under 2 minutes and it's had nearly 80, 000 views in one month. Thanks, YouTube.

[rootboycooks]

"I saw it on the internet" Famous last words.

[emilletich]

Thanks for tip. Since I hate digging the sharp lid out of the can when it usually falls in, I think this is a good alternative. Anything I use from a can gets dumped into a bowl or pot, quickly rinsed and thrown in the recycle bin, so not too concerned about sharpness. As for paper, tear off before opening.

[Christopher.E.Souter]

I have been opening cans in this way for at least 30 years. Depending on the contents, I always open cans in, (or next to), the kitchen sink. It is relatively easy to extract the tiny paper shavings. I live alone, and therefore, the presence of children is not a concern. Also, to my mind, either the can edge or the lid will be very sharp and require careful handling, regardless of which can-opening method is used. It is impossible to avoid creating a sharp edge, but I find that I prefer the sharp edge to be on the can, rather than on the lid, which could possibly be protruding from the top at a rather dangerously prominent angle.
However, the can opener *DOES* need to have been designed to operate in this manner. At the time I started doing this, (in the late 1980s), such can openers were very new on the Australian market. (Australia is the country of my birth, the country where I currently reside, and the country where I'll probably die).
One final point: Most cans in Australia now come with ring-pull lids, which are great for most things, with the exception of thick or highly viscous liquids, such as concentrated soups or sauces, in which case, I usually open them with the "sideways" method as shown in the video, as this makes it much easier to extract *EVERY LAST LITTLE BIT* of the tasty soup or sauce!
Anyway, that's *MY* 2¢ worth! *<WRY GRIN>*

[sharmaineSLH]

Thanks, I seen this before and I forgot how it was done. I was trying to open a can, just brought this can opener and I knew it was the way I was working it, I just needed a refresher course!

[thegodferret]

This is the best way to use your can opener. If when using it the normal way it begins to fail and you think you need a new can opener, flip it this way and it will continue to work!

[geedubb]

You can wash the can out and use it to chop onions, garlic and whatever. I use it to chop green Chile and jalapeño to make salsa.

Thanks for the video

[justinl]

All I do is remove the top part of the label first (takes like 4 seconds), keeps paper out of the food, then I do it the way you're showing in your clip (supposedly the wrong way). A tiny drop of water on the counter is nothing compared to the other messes we generate while preparing food. I spray some all purpose cleaner on the counter after dinner and wipe it clean. But the other way to open a can is OK, too. I've done it both ways.

[davidtheiss]

I think it all depends on the can and/or what the can is made of. I've seen some cans where the lip is too high to open it from the sides. I've also seen some cans that when opened, left a nice clean smooth edge with no protruding shavings.

[christinehart]

Better than breaking every manual can opener I’ve owned. Thank you !!

[Not_A_Tourist]

You could do a quick search on the internet of the history of this style can opener and the patent filed for it. It clearly shows it was designed to cut into the top of the lid.

[DonnaMSchmid]

My can opener is meant to open the side, but it slices higher up, where the lid and can were initially sealed/glued together. Both the can and the lid are dull, and the lid will fit back on the can tightly if you want to store leftovers in the fridge. If anyone wants to open cans like this, I highly suggest they buy this type of can opener instead... Thanks for the warning!

[OverworkedITGuy]

You get a sharp edge no matter which way you open a can. However with the proper horizontal method you don't have to directly handle a sharp edged top because it keeps the lip intact. Not to mention the mechanism is desgned in a way that it still holds onto the removed top until you release it so you never have to handle the removed top with your hands directly. The top of the remaining can being sharp isn't a problem because no one grabs an open can from the top. It's literally why the rest (that metal tab) is flat instead of convex. It's designed to sit on the top of the can while opening it horizontally.

And liquid spillage happens regardless of which direction you open it from. However when done the proper way (horizontally) you don't have to worry about the opened top falling into the can's contents like happens so often when you open it vertically.

And as far as worries about cuts in either way, the horizontal method again is still better because again no one is going to be grabbing an open can from the opened top, where with the vertical method it's literally a top that is 100% sharp edges that you have to manually handle. You're infinitely more likely to cut yourself after opening a can with the vertical method vs the horizontal method due to just the way an opened can and it's dethatched top would be handled.

[prd_y]

I like the “wrong” way as you can drain the beans while opening it. And you can control how much of the lid should attach to it so you can rinse the beans using the tin.

[lovelylady]

I think no matter what way. One end will always be really sharp.

[GrimmsDeath]

Either way you open the can is going to have something sharp, this method is less likely to require you to touch the edge that is sharp and prevents you from having to dig out the top of the can when you do it the other way. This method also doesn't leave a lip for anything to get stuck on. You do you though I'm curious what the patent for this type of can opener says cause the patent for toilet paper says the over method is correct.

[deniseisaacs]

This is a good way for older people to open a can. I just sent this video to my Aunt that’s in her 80’s. Thank you for the video.

[deniselleary]

Sharp edges. Yes. Hence the reason why we use it the "other" way! Thanks for the video!

[skunklepew]

Either way you have a sharp edges.
On the lid the old way or on the can.
I tried and it's easier to turn and less wear on the can opener wheels.
Sides of the can are thinner. Making it easy to cut.
Peel off the wrapper or roll it down from the cutting areas.