You probably don't give much thought to your can opener, until a day comes along when you can't find it. Then, suddenly, you appreciate how handy it is. How ingenious with its gears and wheels. A marvel of engineering! You may even feel bad you took can openers for granted for so long. Don't despair. All is not lost. There are techniques for opening a can without a can opener.
Maybe you just moved and your can opener is still packed away in a box. Or maybe you're camping and it's the one thing you forgot to pack (just please tell us you remembered the fixings for S'mores). There's no need to survey the area and wonder what else can work as a can opener. We've taken the guesswork out of the equation and rounded up the best alternatives. Read on to learn three techniques for opening a can without a can opener so you can finally get on with your dinner.
It's possible to open a can without a can opener using nothing but a spoon, but you'll have to give it some extreme muscle, as demonstrated below by Dave Hax. This is not a hack for the weak-limbed. This technique will also result in sharp, jagged edges. Use extreme care and go slow so you can be sure not to come into contact with them.
Tip: You can use this technique with a pocket knife as well, but then you're dealing with sharp edges on your lid and your utensil. This is why we prefer the safer, spoon method.
If you're outdoors and find yourself without a can opener, you can also open a can using a pocket knife and a rock, brick, or cement block. You'll need a rough surface to create the proper friction. A smooth river rock would not be a good fit.
If you find yourself without a can opener, yet still have a toolbox, flat nose pliers might be the ticket to feeding yourself.
There you have it. Three methods for opening a can without a can opener. We hope they come in handy the next time you're in a pinch. Because nothing should come between you and your dinner...