Have you ever needed to open a can but couldn’t find the can opener anywhere? Or perhaps it broke the second you tried to use it. Either way, you have a can that needs to be open and nothing to open it with. That, however, is where you are wrong: You can open a can with a spoon. Here’s how.
How to Open A Can With A Spoon
Though not as to use as a can opener (well… depending on the can opener!) it’s not too hard to open a can with a spoon. It just takes a little more muscle.
This is a step-by-step plus a video that will teach you how to open a can with a spoon:
- Step 1: Grip the spoon at the base, where the round part meets the handle.
- Step 2: Place the tip of the spoon on the inner part of the can’s rim.
- Step 3: Rub the spoon back and forth to weaken the metal until you’ve poked a hole through it.
- Step 4: Carefully continue to rub the spoon around the perimeter/cut the lid up with the spoon, until you’ve gone far enough around that you can lift the lid up.
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Some Things to Consider
When opening a can with a spoon, be very careful. The edges of the can will be sharp and jagged. You may wish to wear a pair of safety gloves if you have them, just in case.
Secondly, don’t use your prized or expensive silverware. There’s a really good chance the spoon could bend or get a bit scratched.
Other Ways to Open a Can Without a Can Opener
A spoon isn’t the only way to open a can when your can opener has gone MIA.
The Fork
Place the fork with one prong on the inner edge and the other three on the outer. Tap down hard with the other hand until the prone pierces the can. Keep the prong inside and work your way around the rim until you can open the can. (1)
The Scissors
At first, you want to keep the scissors closed so that you can pierce through the can. Hold the scissors with the handle and place the point against the inner rim. Tap down firmly with the opposite hand onto the scissors until you’ve punctured the can. (1)
From there, you can use the scissors to further cut through the lid and then pry open the can. (1)
A Big Knife
Using a large knife like a chef’s knife, puncture the inner rim with the bottom part of the blade next to the handle. Using a rocking motion, trace the rim to cut open the can. You’ll want to (very carefully) hold onto the can with the other hand while you do this. (1)
You can use a small knife as well in a similar fashion to the scissors, spoon, or fork. Always keep the blade pointed away from your body in case it slips. (1)
Really, any pointy tool will work, as long as you are prepared for that tool to be ruined by the end. (1)
A Rock or Concrete
If you continuously rub the softest part of the can on a rock concrete edge, you will eventually wear the can down enough until the metal breaks. When that happens you can use some other utensil on-hand to pry open the lid. (1)
Top Tip: Be Careful
As you can see, you can open a can with almost anything sharp – you can even open a can with a spoon which really isn’t sharp at all. The most important thing is that whichever method you choose you are extremely careful. The can’s edges will be sharp, and if your utensil slips you don’t want to lose a finger (or worse!).
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