I can hear you say, “who doesn’t know how to open a tin can?”. My wife asked me the same question when I told her about this month’s blog post topic. You would be shocked by how many people try to open tin cans in the wrong way and end up getting stuck with a tuna can after breaking the ring pull. I surely had that happen to me a few times. I also see clients visiting us trying to open all kinds of tin cans in the wrong way. We all know that tin cans are an essential part of our everyday life acting as containers for products from food to luxury items. Knowing how to open them not only ensures that the contents stay intact but also minimizes the risk of injury. This guide will help you do just that.
Understanding the Lid Mechanism
Tin cans come with a variety of different lid types, each designed for a specific purpose. We see even newer ones being introduced every year but I will stick to the most used ones for now.
Slip Lid: It is a snug lid commonly found in reusable decorative tins used for chocolate, biscuits or tea.
Inside Slip Lid: It is a specialized lid that fits inside the rim of the tin can achieving a uniform look with the tin body. It is mostly used for wine and spirit bottles.
Plug Lid: It is a lid that is “plugged” into the opening of a tin can providing a secure seal and easy access for products like powders and specialty foods.
Hinged Lid: Used in rectangular cans, making the lid attached to the can allowing for easy open and close, perfect for gift boxes and collectible tins.
Easy-Open Lid: Featuring a pull ring for easy access, commonly used in air tight food cans.
Peel-Off Lid: Covered with a metal foil and a pull tab that can be peeled back, often used in air tight tin cans for powdered items.
Twist-Off Lid: Screws on and off, used mainly on glass jars, although some are used in tin cans as well.
Step-by-Step Opening Guide
For Slip Lids:
Hold the body of the tin firmly.
Gently pull up on the lid while slightly twisting.
For Inside Slip Lids:
Lift one side of the lid with your nails or a thin flat material while holding the body of the tin.
Do the same thing to the opposite side of the lid.
The lid should come up high enough to grab and pull up easily.
For Plug Lids:
Gently pull up the lid, gripping from the edges.
Some plug lids might need twisting slightly to release.
For Hinged Lids:
Locate the hinge.
On the opposite side, gently pull the lid upward to open.
For Easy-Open Lids:
Locate the pull ring and make sure it is perpendicular to the score line.
Place the can on a flat surface, hold it tight, lift the ring to break the score line and continue to push to expand the opening.
Pull the ring back gently to open.
For Peel-Off Lids:
Find the tab on the foil.
Gently pull it back to the opposide side.
For Twist-Off Lids:
Hold the jar steady and turn the lid counterclockwise.
If it is stuck, place the back of a fork between the lid and the jar to make the lid expand and break the seal.
Conclusion
Opening a tin can is actually a very straightforward process if done right. Like with many other things in life, the little things we usually don’t pay attention might turn into big annoyances. With some care though, you can open all tin cans properly and get the most out of this versatile packaging.
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