Old can openers were tricky. If you remember the classic can opener, which had a wheel to turn and with which you had to get to the contents of a tin, the name is tricky.
Only with the right technique was it possible to open the can without painfully cutting your hands.
The metal edges of the cans are very sharp and it is not uncommon for users to cut their fingers when trying to open a can. Not only does it bleed a lot, it is also painful. Of course, a good can opener should not be missing in any household and the newer models offer less risk of injury than the devices that are known from the past.
The history of the can opener
The tin can was invented by an Englishman in 1810. Inevitably, you also needed something with which to open the can in order to get to the delicious contents. Back then, the cans were rather thick-walled and opened with cutting and striking tools. This required strong tools such as a bayonet, hammer, chisel or hatchet.
It was not until 1855 that an Englishman (Robert Yeates) invented a device for opening cans. An American patent was filed in 1858. This model also found acceptance in the US Army. The classic can opener with cutting wheel was invented by the American William Lyman in 1870 - around 60 years after the canning was invented.
This variant can still be found in domestic kitchens to this day. At that time, thinner tin was used for the tin cans.
Can opener and the models
Nowadays there are numerous other models in addition to the classic can opener with cutting wheel. The efficiency of a can opener depends on the handling and technology as well as the can to be opened. Often times, can openers fail when the end of the opening process is near.
The pressure under the edge of the can changes and you have problems opening the can completely. Newer models solve the edge fold instead of the cover sheet, which helps prevent sharp edges.
Electrically operated can openers offer injury-free luxury in the kitchen. In addition, these can openers can often be operated with one hand. The canned food is simply prepared for this. A knife moves along the can fold and cuts once in a circle with the help of a drive.
The electric can opener cuts off the lid. There are no sharp edges. Modern kitchens have an integrated and permanently installed can opener, which is also operated electrically.
Can opener with key
Certain cans, such as corned beef or sardines, require a slightly different opening method. A type of key is usually attached to these cans with which the can can be opened. The key tool must be inserted. The lid is rolled up by means of a winding mechanism and the contents can be accessed. Nowadays, ring-pull closures that simplify handling are becoming more and more common.
As the name suggests, these closures are a ring that must be pulled up and then towards you to open the tin. There are can openers in various price segments. In supermarkets with a wide range of products, classic can openers with cutting wheels are offered for little money.
The price here is between 8 and 20 euros, depending on the make and brand. A good electric can opener is available from 30 euros.
Conclusion can opener models
There is an increased risk of cuts when using a classic can opener, especially when lifting the lid. You have to be careful here. The can openers, which cut on a fold below the lid, are better here. In this way, the lid can be removed without any sharp edges. The risk of injury is much lower.
Electric can openers are easy to use. The can is usually held in place by a magnet or placed in a device. At the push of a button, the cutting tool moves once around the edge and loosens the lid without leaving any sharp edges. This can opener can also be used with one hand, which has another practical aspect.
Can opener availability
First and foremost, a can opener is of course responsible for opening canned food. In the older models, the edges were pressed together and then turned clockwise with a small wheel until the can could be opened.
Most of the time you needed the back of a spoon in order to be able to lift off the lid safely. This type of can opener usually had a small tip. Who still knows what this was good for? As a kind of tin punch, a single hole could be punched in a metal tin. This was especially necessary in the case of condensed milk cans in order to get to the contents.
So-called multi-purpose tools, which are often found in army and camping cutlery, have a practical use on the go. Can openers are usually integrated into a pocket knife or multi-function tool.
Disadvantages here, however, are the jagged edges of the can or - worse - metal shavings in the contents of the can. Quite survival-wise for camping and outdoor use, but not used in everyday life. Here you should use a "normal" can opener.
The right cleaning
Due to its nature, such a can opener comes into contact with different canned contents. It is important that it is cleaned well after use. If you do not do this, less appetizing deposits will form over time, which look as if they were getting feet. So enough of the pictures.
The can opener has hard-to-reach places. The connections between the cutting wheel and the rest can only be reached with great difficulty. If you can't put your can opener in the dishwasher - and really only do it if it is noted, otherwise the device will rust in the worst case - all you have to do is clean it by hand. So that this is not strenuous, there are a few crisp life hacks that you can try out at home.
- Soak the can opener in hot water and washing-up liquid and then scrub with a toothbrush (so that you can get to the most remote places!).
- Chain cleaner for motorcycles: spray on and remove the residue with a toothbrush or wooden stick. Then soak and scrub well so that no residue of the chain cleaner remains.
- Soak the can opener in hot water and baking soda. Wait a few minutes and remove the remains with a toothpick. Rinse well.
- Soak in cola. The carbonic acid ensures that leftover food dissolves. Soak overnight (or 2 nights), rinse thoroughly.
- Put the device in the ultrasonic bath so that it shines like new.
- Bring the hot water to the boil and add a packet of baking powder. Then soak the can opener generously. Look in between.
Discover the top 10 of the best and best-selling can opener products in 2024 on honest tests. We show a selection of the most popular items that have great customer reviews and value for money. Find the perfect can opener product for your needs now!
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