You’ve Been Using Your Can Opener The Wrong Way

We know why you’re here. You’re probably wondering if you’re one of the people opening cans the wrong way OR you might be scoffing at us for making the assumption that you don’t know how to use a can opener.

Either way, we apologize, but there is another way – perhaps a better way – to open a can. And people need to hear it!

This is how you’re probably opening cans:

1. Grab desired can you want to open.
2. Begin using your favorite can opener by attaching it vertically to the can. The edge of the wheels digs into the lid … one goes on top of the rim and one goes on the bottom.
3. As you crank the lever, you notice the same old problem! Either the loosened lid falls into that mushroom sauce you were going to use (metallic taste anyone?) or there is some lid still attached, waiting for it to cut you as you try and pull it off.

Seems like a hassle right? Surely there is a better way! Well, there is.

It requires one simple change.

Hold the can opener horizontally to the can. You can see that the wheels have a horizontal axis instead of a vertical one. The result? When the lid is finally off, it’s attached to the can opener and not the can!

Reactions across the interwebs have been substantial:

“How old were you when you learned this? I was today years old…,” says reddit user jpresutti. Another redditor, rhodesrugger comments “Well this blew my mind. I guess before I was using it as a can’t opener.”

There is a caveat though. Some people have reported that that lid is sharper when cut this way because the cutting happens on the exposed top rather than the hidden bottom. Others have commented that it may actually dull your blade.

“No. This method is awful. The edge of the can becomes razor sharp.” says Jekyllhyde. Another user, Juicy_Brucesky also chimes in “Also this dulls your blade way faster because the metal on the lid is thinner.”

So then if this is the case, which way should you open your precious cans? Well of course, in any way you see fit. It may also depend on the type of can opener you have. As the old adage goes; whatever works for you.