How to Use a Can Opener

How many times have you wanted to open a can of baked beans in a hurry, and couldn't find a can opener? Or even if you can find a can opener, you were unable to open the can? Many people have difficulty in opening cans by using a can opener. This is mainly because they do not know how to use a can opener. Some years ago only manual can openers were available. But today you can find electric can openers that helps you to open any can in a jiffy. Of course manual can openers are still around although their design has been modified to make it more efficient and quick. Can openers are one of the most necessary hand tools in a modern kitchen.

How to Use a Manual Can Opener

There are many styles of manual can openers available in the market, but all of them work on the same principle. Manual hand held can be either side mount openers or top mount openers. To use a manual can opener, you need to first pull the handles outwards and place the serrated cutting wheel over the can. Make sure that the teeth of the serrated cutting wheel is touching the top lip of the can. Now apply a bit of pressure on the handles and press them towards each other until the rotary cutter pierces the top of the lid of the can. Once the rotary cutter has pierced the lid of the can work the handles of the can up and down so that the rotary cutter cuts the lid in a clockwise direction. When you have fully cut the can lid, spread the handles out and remove the lid. Sometimes the rotary cutter might not cut the can lid fully. In such a case do not apply additional force on the handles of the can opener. Instead just try to move the handles in the forward direction.

How To Use an Electric Can Opener

To make opening of cans easier and swifter, you can use an electric can opener. There are many different designs of electric can openers available in the market and you can choose one that matches your budget.

The basic electric can openers pretty much work the same way. The first thing that you need to do is to plug the electric can opener into a power outlet. Next , you need to locate the lever located at the bottom of the electric can opener. Lift this lever and place it on the top of the can. Push the lever down on the top of the can until you see the end of the lever pierce the can. Switch on the "ON" button of the electric can opener. The can opener will cut the lid of the can. When this is done, just lift the lever of the can opener and remove the lid of the can. For safety reasons it is best to hold the bottom of the can with your hand while the can opener is cutting the lid of the can.

Both manual and electric can openers are efficient in opening a can and you can invest in an electric can opener if you eat a lot out of cans. It is a good idea to go through some manual as well as electric can opener reviews, before you get one for yourself. Some of the best can openers are Black & Decker 2 in 1 Grand Opening Electric Can Opener, Hamilton Beach OpenStation Can Opener with 2nd Multi-Tool and Proctor Silex Plus 76370P Extra-Tall Can Opener. It is quite simple to use a can opener and tins of sardine, tuna and beans can be opened in a jiffy with this handy kitchen appliance.