You did manage to grab a camping potty, a few novels and several cans of food before closing the basement door, but you forgot the can opener! Now, what?
WARNING: These can-opening methods, while useful in certain situations, do create a sharp and ragged edge to the lid. Use extreme caution when executing any of these methods — wearing cut-resistant safety gloves is recommended.
1. Spoon
With strong wrists and a sturdy spoon, you should be able to remove the lid from your canned goods.
- Grip the spoon firmly in your fist, and rub the tip back and forth along the edge of the lid.
- The motion quickly thins the metal, and the spoon will puncture a hole through the lid.
- Then just wedge the spoon back and forth around the edge, opening the can along the way.
Ta-da!
You can apply the same technique with a screwdriver, butter knife or any other similar tool.
2. Chef’s knife
With a little practice, you’ll discover thata chef’s knife can be a relatively safe can-opening device.
- Grip the knife securely by the handle with your thumb on the flat of the blade just above the heel.
- With the blade pointing away from you, insert the heel into the groove at the very edge of the can’s rim.
- A firm push downward should puncture the lid of the can. Repeat the motion around the lid.
You’ll have that can open in just a few seconds!
3. Concrete
If your basement safe room has concrete available, you’re in luck — you don’t even need tools to open your cans!
- Just rub the top of the can against the concrete to wear away the rim of the lid.
- When enough of the rim is gone, which you can tell if you see moisture on the lid, wipe off any filings, then squeeze the can, and the lid will pop off.
This technique takes a little strength and a little patience!
Of course, the smartest thing to do is plan ahead and make sure you include a manual can opener in your shelter-in-place kit. But if a zombie apocalypse or camping mishap takes you by surprise, you definitely don’t have to starve.