How Do You Use a Can Opener?

Most of the foods that we consume come in cans, and if you are a regular buyer, then one of the handiest tools you will need is a can opener. They make the job easy and quick, and although there are other ways of opening a can, nothing beats the convenience of using an opener.

However, there are so many types available in the market that most people don’t know what to buy. You also need to consider ease of use as well as the price point, as this too varies. If you are not too sure about your options, this article gives you an in-depth view of how to use a can opener.

How Does a Can Opener Work?

Most can openers work in the same way; it rolls the can against the blades hence cutting the top. The main difference is in the way it is done. Manual can openers require that you use more effort in turning the can, and you still need to have a hold on the tool itself.

Electric and single wheel types a bit simpler to use as they have a magnet that holds the can lid in place as the blade cuts through it. The following are the three main kinds of a can opener.

Check this too: Best Under Cabinet Can Opener

How to Use a Manual Can Opener

Manual can openers are the go-to for most people since they are affordable and get the job done quite quickly. These openers, however, do require quite a bit of effort, so if you are looking for something that doesn’t, this is not the best option for you.

Place the can against the opener and then turn the wheel or handle that moves the lid against the blades hence opening it.

It takes a few turns for you to pop a standard can with a manual can opener, but there are different sizes available that improve efficiency. A larger manual opener requires less effort and minimum turns of the wheel to open even a large can.

On the downside, using a manual can opener requires that you have a pretty good grip; otherwise, the can may slide, and you could injure yourself. This means older people or those with arthritis may find it challenging to use this opener.

How to Use an Electric Opener

If you use canned products a lot and you may need to open several of them in a day, then this is your best option. Electric can openers are effortless fast and completely safe so anyone can use it. However, this means that they are a bit expensive, which is why it is best if you use it a lot. You can check out our roundup of the top electric openers if you are on the market for one.

You don’t need to hold the can when using an electric opener since it has a magnet that provides the grip. So all you need to do is set the opener on the container and either push a button or switch, then it will do all the work. Most electric tools turn the tin against the blade hence opening it so it is swift and shouldn’t take any time at all.

Other than it doesn’t require much effort to operate, another reason to buy an electric opener is that it provides a clean and even cut. This means that there is no risk of getting metal shavings in your food, and you can’t injure yourself with the edges of the lid.

How to Use a Can Opener with One Wheel

If a manual can opener is too involving and the electric is too expensive for you, then the single wheel option may do the trick. It works a lot like both the electrical and manual, so it gives you value for money.

The single wheel type works a bit like the butterfly opener since the blade action is similar. However, it also comes with a magnet that allows it to hold on to the can when working. It has a simple crank that enables the blade to turn cutting around the lid. It is a can opener that doesn’t leave sharp edges that could injure you since this type holds on to the top.

1. How to Use a Pampered Chef Can Opener

It’s an opener that cuts along the side of the cans, below the edge of the lid, thus no more sharp edges. The can opener claws remove the top with the push of a button keeping your hands clean. It’s comfortable for right and left-handed individuals.

How to Use

• Place the can opener on top of the lid of the can. Twist the can opener knob in a clockwise direction to lock the can opener onto the rim of the can.
• Spin the knob in a clockwise direction until the can opener reaches the point on the can lid where you originally started. You will feel the pressure release slightly once it gets the starting spot.
• Turn the knob in a counterclockwise direction to release the can opener from the can, lift the opener and remove it from the can.
• Hold the can’s bottom with one hand and use the other to grasp the cans top rim with the opener’s claw. Push down the lid claw button and gently lift the opener to remove the lid from the can.

Electric Type

• Connect the electric can opener into an outlet
• Lift the silver lever that raises the cutting wheel into the air. Place the tip of the can under the wheel. Then lower the lever down and press hard enough to make the wheel insert into the can.
• Switch the on button while holding the can’s bottom; it will turn as the wheel cuts through the can’s lid.
• Please take out the can from the opener when it makes a complete rotation. The lid remains attached to the magnet on the opener.

2. How to Use a Kuhn Rikon Can Opener

The can opener cuts the whole top of the can off rather than just the lid. The opener doesn’t leave sharp edges behind and never touches food. It’s a gadget with an ergonomic design that allows you open can, bottles, pop, and pull tops.  It has a polished stainless finish and more effortless to clean.

How to Use

• Place the opener on the can with the two handles apart like the scissors. The metal part should be flat against the can with the knob turned upwards.
• Pull the handles together to lock the opener, and if it has one handle, ensure it’s centered before turning.
• Twist the knob clockwise to make the opener cut around the can. Turn the knob until you feel the tension release.
• For the two-handled opener, open the handles to unlock the can. With a one-handled opener, rotate the knob back to unlock it from the lid.
• Open the pinchers and pry the lid off.

3. How to Use Tupperware Can Opener

The opener has a secure, non-slip handle making it easy for you to hold and operate. The tool also has pins to remove the lid up and away without contaminating food quickly. It is ideal for left and right-handed people and leaves no sharp edges.

How to Use

• Open the handles and place the opener parallel to the can top.
• Slide the can opener forward as it allows and pull the handles closed.
• Turn the knob clockwise until you make one full revolution and the pressure reduces. The can rotates while the knob turns, so you don’t have to move around.
• Pull open the handles and lift the can opener from the can. Open the handles and position the pins on the can’s rim.

4. How to Use a Butterfly Can Opener

It’s a small, easy-to-store opener, making it ideal for camping or opening up room in your drawer.  Its serrated wheels help you cut into the lid. The opener much resembles and functions like a bunker opener.  The tool comes with a rotating cutting wheel, key, or crank. But it may be a little more complicated to use.

How to Use

• Take the manual opener and open the two handles apart.
• Place the wheel on the can’s lip and squeeze the two handles together to bite the can lid by the lip.
• Puncture the lid with the pointed church-key end, following which you can secure it with the pliers.
• Rotate the butterfly lever on the opener in a clockwise direction. If you feel a miss in the can lid, turn the lever counterclockwise to redo. Then continue moving forward by turning clockwise.
• If you see it is not opening, place more pressure on the can, it means that you have not clamped it firmly. The key is to squeeze tightly together.
• Continue spinning the opener until you reach where you initially started the cut. Get rid of the opener and use a fork or a butter knife to raise the lid and remove it.

Check this too: How to Sharpen a Can Opener

5. Oxo Can Opener

By puncturing on the side of the can below the edge,  its smooth edges leave no sharp edges on the can or lid. The sharp, hardened stainless steel cutting wheel remains clean, avoiding contact with can contents, while the lid pliers allow for no-touch lid removal. Unlike other openers, it makes a smooth cut on the lid’s side. Its large knob smoothly rotates to take the hard work out of opening cans.

How to Use

• Open the handles and place the opener against the can.
• Align the can with the opener’s top: with the opener’s curve along the top of the can.
• Close the moving handle to ensure it locks in place.
• Turn the knob clockwise, as the can rotates until you make a complete rotation.
• Release the lid by turning the knob clockwise; this will unlock the opener.
• Using the pliers, remove the lid. Wedge the pliers into the can’s cover and gently pull the top upwards. This technique helps to keep the can opener clean and prevents contamination of the contents inside.

6. How to Use a Swiss Army Knife Can Opener

The can opener knife has a long straight edge, a rounded tip, and the-second-long edge made up of a coiled hook that protrudes into the blade’s center. You can still use the can opener blade as a screwdriver. Some Swiss Army knife can openers can work as a bottle opener too. In this situation, the can opener will have a slight indentation down the long edge. It’s a simple can opener but doesn’t make a smooth cut like the other openers.

How to Use

• Unravel the can opener blade from the Swiss Army Knife.
• Pierce, the lip of the can with the Knife’s tip, ensure you hold the can well not to spill the contents.
• Cut through the lip in a clockwise manner, make sure you apply more pressure on the Swiss Knife.
• Rotate the blade in a clockwise direction until it makes almost a ½ cut on the lid.
• Try lift pull the lid away from the can. If the cover sinks into the contents, use a knife to pry it or another flat object.

7. How to Use a Zyliss Can Opener

It’s an excellent manual can opener that locks onto cans of all sizes for safe and efficient opening. The opener locks in a fully closed position for neat storage and contains a magnet on the nose’s end to grab the can’s lid. The rubberized handgrips give you a firm, comfortable, non-slip grip.  The opener is easy to clean with a damp cloth.

How to Use

• Open handles in the direction of the arrow and position the can opener can the top’s edge.
• Place cutting wheel against can rim.
• Apply downward pressure and close handles to grip the lid. Turn clockwise until can moves one full rotation.
• Squeeze and puncture the top; the can opener locks securely on to the can. There is a red button that you need to press when you finish unlocking.
• To remove the lid from the can, clasp it between the round metal “lid grippers.” Close handles to grip lid, and lift with a slight twist. Then open the grippers to release.

8. How to Use a Farberware Can Opener

It’s a perfect opener with a soft grip for helping in food preparation. The opener comes with comfortable grip handles and a turner to allow for smooth operation. It also features a built-in bottle opener and magnetic head for safe lid removal—it works on all cans, including pop-top cans, and it’s lightweight.

How to Use

• While holding the can opener with handles open, place the cutting wheel over the can’s rim; the can opener should be level to the top of the can.
• Squeeze handles together, and turn the knob clockwise to cut the lid. Leave a small portion of the lid uncut.
• Remove the can opener from the can by opening handles. Turn the can opener on its side to use the lid gripper.
• To clean the can opener, do not submerge it in water. Use a damp cloth to clean gear wheels, and towel-dry thoroughly.

9. How to Use a P38 Can Opener

The P38 opens any classic tin effectively at any place. This opener has so many uses and comes in handy in various situations. You can use it to tighten glass, knife sharpener, box cutter, window scraper, opening cans, and more. The opener measures 38 mm, and the handle doubles as a flat-blade screwdriver.

How to Use

• First, pivot the cutting point to a 95-degree position. Hold the opener with your right-hand by the flat section with the cutting edge pointing downward.
• Attach the can’s edge through the circular notch on the long flat section next to the cutting edge.
• While holding the can with your left hand, rotate the opener clockwise to puncture the lid.
• Later rotate counterclockwise and slightly clockwise until the can make a full rotation and the lid is nearly free.
• Lift the lid with the opener’s cutting edges and clean it.
• Left-handed users hold the P-38 in their left hand, with the cutting point aimed towards themselves, while retaining the can to be opened in their right hand. There is also reversing the sense of the cutting hand movements just described for right-handed.
• A left-handed person is at a slight disadvantage in that the tip of the thumb must apply the combined travel & twist forces, unlike the right-handed who only twist.

10. How to Use a Hamilton Beach Can Opener

Hamilton Beach has an easy-to-use one-touch lever for attaching cans. The lever is located on the back, making it sturdy and has an ergonomic design—the opener cuts from the side minimizing food contact with the metal. The opener comes with a knife sharpener, scissors and can work on pop-top cans.

How to Use

• Unplug the charger from the can opener. Please avoid using the can opener when it is attached to the charger.
• Grasp the back of the can opener.
• Flip-up the hinged magnet so that it is in position to hold the can lid.
• Raise the piercing lever and position the can opener so that the can’s rim is firmly under the cutting blade. The base of the unit will be horizontal to the counter.
• Press the piercing lever down to energize the can opener and pierce the can. It is not essential to hold the lever down when cutting begins. Other than short cans or cans with a small diameter, you can allow the can opener to spin freely around the top of the can without holding it.
• The motor will automatically stop when you cut the lid.
• Uplift the piercing lever to release the can opener from the can. Carefully slide the lid from the magnet.

Check this too: How to Open a Can Without a Can Opener

If you want to pick the best can opener, you should consider what you need as well as the efficiency of getting the job done. Take time to go through the options provided since there are so many types under the electric and manual openers that may make your decision easier.