Manual can openers are essential tools for home cooks on the go. It’s easy to make a mess when cooking or preparing food, and these handy devices will help you avoid it. They can open many types of cans and are incredibly easy to use.
Some models even have a hanging hole for easy storage. However, it is also possible that your manual can opener stops working. If that’s the case, these are some things that you can do to make sure it’s working properly.
Manual Can Opener Not Working
- Set the Blade Properly
You must ensure the blade is in the correct position when using a manual can opener. Otherwise, you may damage the can opener or even hurt yourself. Once you have set the blade correctly, you can proceed to open the can.
Make sure you hold the can securely while using the can opener. Also, ensure that the blade does not touch the sharp edges of the can.
- Cleaning
If your manual can opener isn’t working, the first thing you should do is clean it properly. This will prevent the buildup of germs and other particles on the blade, preventing smooth operation. Cleaning your manual can opener should be done regularly.
A can opener will wear out more quickly if it is not clean. In addition, a dirty can opener is a health risk, as the bacteria and dirt will contaminate the food inside and other utensils in your kitchen. You can also end up getting sick by swallowing the bacteria.
- Cleaning a Manual Can Opener
If you want to clean your manual can opener to keep it working properly, disassemble the unit and remove the components. The manual can opener is usually composed of a few parts, including the blade. You can clean these parts by soaking them in white vinegar.
Vinegar breaks down dirt and rust. After soaking, rinse the parts well under running water and wipe them dry with a paper towel. Then, reassemble the unit and test it to ensure everything works properly.
During cleaning, you can also wipe out the metal chunks that may have gotten stuck in the gears. Moreover, spin the manual can opener a few times to ensure that the gears are clean before using it.
- Lubrication
If the can opener is made of metal, it may be susceptible to rust. This is caused by the combination of oxygen, water, and iron. It is important to keep the can opener dry and clean to avoid rusting. Even stainless steel can rust and tarnish with time.
Not only does rust cause problems, but it also compromises the quality of the food you open and places you at risk of contamination.
- Vegetable or Food-Grade Mineral Oil
If you notice that your manual can opener is rusting and isn’t functioning like it used to, you may want to lubricate it. To do this, you can apply vegetable oil between the gears to make them spin smoothly. You can also try using food-grade mineral oil instead of vegetable oil to disinfect your can opener.
- Wax Paper
Another way to lubricate your manual can opener is by using wax paper. This paper will help lubricate the blades and help them function properly. It will also help keep the blades from getting clogged. After applying the lubricant, you can spin the wheel a few times to ensure everything is working properly.
The aforementioned fixes have helped many users. However, if you have tried all the solutions and the manual can opener is still not working, you can use a knife to open a can. To open it, place the knife near the lip of the can and use your other hand to strike the can.
Be careful because the knife point could slip. Using a sleeve or protective gear to cover your hands when removing the lid is also recommended.
Maintaining A Can Opener
Can openers can last a long time with proper maintenance. They should be cleaned and maintained regularly to prevent damage. If necessary, sharpen the blades on your can opener.
However, do it carefully since they are quite sharp. Sharpening them can significantly lengthen the life of your can opener. Regular cleaning is also necessary for a can opener to keep it working smoothly.
Also, it’s essential to dry your can opener after each use to avoid the buildup of water in its gears and wheels. Washing and drying your can opener will help protect the metal from damage.
A hairdryer will also remove any water accumulating on the blade and gears. Moreover, you can also place the can opener in the dishwasher to clean it thoroughly.
The Bottom Line
If your manual can opener is not working, you can refer to this troubleshooting guide to find a simple fix.
If you want to avoid issues with manual can openers, consider investing in a high-quality tool. Cheaper ones are made of substandard materials and get damaged easily.