Forum Topic

Are tin cans suddenly more difficult to open these days???

I ask, because, my trusty old can opener was suddenly not doing its job nearly as well.So, two new can openers later, those pesky cans are still proving recalcitrant.So, I surmise that some of the manufacturers have changed their can "lip" manufacturing specifications ........ or something.Am I the only one experiencing this strange phenomena??!!!!

Rosco White ● 4739d8 Comments

No, you're not! I've got a new one on my list for tomorrow as my 2 current ones don't work any more.

Milena Vincic ● 4739d

My kitchen staff put can openers on the shopping list regularly despite he buying high quality ones and even electric ones. Drives me bonkers

David P Archer ● 4739d

Hmmmmm, interesting, have we stumbled upon something here??!!!

Rosco White ● 4739d

Tired of tin can lids that wont openThe problem, most tin openers are designed as precision cutting tools, tested on limited batch of tins, then manufactured in millions. The cutting mechanism assumes all tin lids are made to a tight standard measurement. They're not. They might look great, but they're just not up to the job. Introducing, the Tin-Can-Openomatic Miracle Blade, tin can lid removal system. Opens any can, guaranteed.Saves time. But that's not all. As a bonus, it comes with its own, built in, champagne and wine bottle cork removal system. Buy now in three easy payments, if you're not impressed within 30 days, your money back. ---------------------------------------------------------------12 September 2013Candy BloggsThankyou Tin-Can-Openomatic.I don't know how I ever managed without you. Now my family can enjoy baked beans once more, without the worry and headache and delays. Opening cans is so much easier. And I know I can return Tin-Can-Openomatic for a full refund within 30 days if I'm not 100% satisfied.

Fred Bray ● 4739d

Surely nearly all tins come with a ring pull these days.

Susan Kelly ● 4739d

Not all - I use at least two products in non ring pull cans.And they're no better: just as tough to open, and sometimes the ring rips off and then you're in trouble!IMHO Everything is more difficult to open these days... :-(

Lorna Dodd ● 4739d

'...>IMHO Everything is more difficult to open these days<...'You're right, Lorna.  I nearly burst a blood vessel yesterday trying to pull open a foil packet of M&S 'luxury' tea-bags (I could merely have reached for the scisssors, but would I? No! that would have been giving up...).  Eventually I won by puncturing my nail through the softest part of the foil, by which time I was in desperate need of the tea.I'll just use the scissors next time.

Ann Williams ● 4738d

Funny that.  On Saturday I was at John Lewis Brent Cross looking for and ordering an electric can opener (to be delivered to Waitrose) for an elderly friend.  They don't sell many nowadays (presumably because of ring-pulls) and only stock one kind. There are several rather sleek looking battery operated ones on the market which apparently are very popular.  I've opted for a replacement electric one which will stay plugged in and so can't be misplaced.I believe that can design has changed with thinner lids to reduce the amount of metal used.  I remember reading a WRAP study.  Found it - read it it's interesting but it is quite old:http://www.wrap.org.uk/content/heinz-lightweighting-can-endshttp://www.wrap.org.uk/content/fast-facts-metals-and-steelI find cans are more difficult to stack nowadays.  I like to stack two high. I haven't looked at the problem hard enough to see whether it is to do with multi-packs or brands - or anything else?I bought an elderly parent a safe and easy to use hand operated can opener that cuts just inside the top and flattens the cut edge rather than round the outside edge of the can and this works very well. It also has a good ring-pull puller on the end of the handle.  I bought this from the RNIB but it is no longer listed.  There are other ring-pull pullers available.We've come a long way from the one Fred showed a picture of (which I never mastered) and the ordinary metal butterfly one which is so uncomfortable to use.

Philippa Bond ● 4738d