Over the last little while, and today in particular, I have had trouble with opening tins with our can opener - wasn't a cheap one either! So I went down to our caravan and pulled out the one I keep there, but also without any results. Pete had a go with a reasonable amount of luck. Well, he would, wouldn't he? He wanted the fruit cake made to take away with us! What we both feel is that the 'lip' around the top of tins is not like it used to be (yeah OK, I'm like a teddy bear - falling apart at the seams and the stuffing coming out) and there is not enough 'grip' for the can opener, but has anyone else had problems with opening tins - it was a can of crushed pineapple and also a can of condensed milk. Would be interested to hear if others have had any problems.
Thanks
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Pejay are travelling in a 2014 Holden Colorado LTZ Twin Cab Ute + 2013 Coromal Element van
Check both ends of the cans Pejay...I've found that I often have to turn a can upside down, then the can-opener will "grip the lip" properly. I wonder if they are making the cans different at each end to make them stack better?
We have problems opening tins as well - I think it's because the tinplate they use nowdays is thinner and more tensile - not as soft as before. This means the rolled edge that the serrated wheel grips is not large enough for the wheel to grip causing it to slip etc. When you do get the tin opened, the cut edges are razor sharp.
I hope I can shed some light on this matter, as I have worked for a company that makes metal packaging (cans).
Cans have changed over the years, with the biggest change being the introduction of easy open ends, thus you the user should not need a can opener.
The second change that may affect the performance of the can opener is the trend towards thinner steel for the cans. As the quality of the steel improves the can makers strive to reduce costs by making cans from thinner steel.
When the can manufacturer suppies cans to their customers, they supply the can with one end already fitted (usually the complex end, which is usually the top), the customer then fills the can, and fits the other end. Of Course the equipment they use to fit the second end is different to the equipment the can maker used to fit the first end, thus the ends will be different.
Yes it is likely that some can openers will perform better on the other end.
Funny how a post can trigger memories ,after reading re the army issue can opener went into annexe and opened a tool box and bugger me there was my army issue can opener, So now it is in the utensils draw in the van.
Would love a $ for every can opener we have throwen out over the years, but the wife went to one of those Tuppa ware parties and now she recons she has brought the bees knees of can openers,so time will tell if it stays or gets the flick.
Who would think some thing as simple as a can opener could almost bring a grown man to tears .
Rocky Lizard - it was one like your top photo that ended up being slammed into the rubbish bin!
Gerty Dancer - yeah, dumb one here, never thought to turn the can upside down!!
Cruising Cruze - yep, just fronted up 'His Lordship' (aka Pete) and requested a search for his army issue opener, and would you believe he found it (now in the van) along with a couple of water bottles, his army issue sleeping bag, oh and just for the hell of it, our small barbie fits neatly into one of his old duffle bags!
Bought a new thing this morning whilst out shopping, so will try the upside down trick too.
Again ta and thank you all
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Pejay are travelling in a 2014 Holden Colorado LTZ Twin Cab Ute + 2013 Coromal Element van
I've been stupid , I send it all back when we came to Australia
before I left the army I changed everything to brand new supply
wish I still had most of it ( but than I was 75 kg then and now over 100 oops )
must be the good life in Aus
N&R.........
Can't beat a good old P38
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(Last P38 I used was made by Walther and carried 8 x 9mm rounds.)
Cannot agree more about bloody new cans. Sue always complaining about not being able open cans but after trying about 6 manual can openers found, as others have here, that an electric can opener that sits on a bench works best. Other than that, a small cold chisel and hammer always works.
Peter
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Cheers Peter and Sue
"If I agree with you we'll both be wrong"
No, I'm not busy, I did it right the first time.
Self-powered wheelie walker, soon a power chair (ex. Nomad)
I found this old one in an Op-shop years ago. Have found another that works as well, so have one in the C'van too, but you can't always pick them just by looking. Luckily they only cost a few cents where I get them. [ The Red one in the Background is not mine.]
Fruit cake packed and ready to go. But some friends brought around some of their fruit cake for m/t this morning and yum!!!! He used a mix of rum and chocolate rum in it - oh man was it n-i-c-e!!! Hmm, I only put brandy in mine.
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Pejay are travelling in a 2014 Holden Colorado LTZ Twin Cab Ute + 2013 Coromal Element van
