Can opener: history, types and features of choice

Canning is one of the greatest inventions of mankind. For millennia, people invented ways to preserve food, because after plenty, as a rule, it was usually starvation time. The preparation of long-distance hikes, including military ones, led to the invention of a convenient package - a can. Then it took the device to open it.

Invented a way to pack food in a can of Nicolas Upper, who in 1809 in France patented a technique for preserving food in glass and steel cans. The result of his research exceeded all expectations. Products remained edible for a very long time, which turned out to be the case, as the French army began active operations in Europe. The disadvantage was the fragility and large weight of glass jars and rust on steel tanks.

In 1810, in the UK, Peter Durand patented a new can. The inventor proposed to use a coating of non-ferrous metal, which separated the steel from the contents of the can, so that it did not rust. Already in 1812, the British began to produce canned food in industrial quantities. The disadvantage of English know-how was weight. The can sometimes weighed more than its contents. It was possible to get food from the can by using an ax, or a chisel with a heavy hammer.

At the same time in the US, Ezra Warren came up with a knife of a peculiar shape, with two blades. In 1858, he patented his invention. One (sharp) blade opened the jar, ripping tin, the other (blunt) kept the knife on the edge of the jar. In 1860, canned food manufacturers began selling cans with a can opener.

In the first half of the 20th century, for the needs of the army, a simple can opener for tin cans was invented - a tin key. The proposed design is American John Speaker. The simple and efficient design quickly conquered the market, penetrating even behind the iron curtain. The Soviet industry has mastered this method of opening, however, it was applied to boxes with fuses for grenades, and then to zinc boxes for cartridges.

In Russia, canneries began their history in the 19th century, in 1870. At the beginning of the 20th century, several large enterprises were already operating. Began to massively produce fish (in Astrakhan) and meat (in Moscow) canned food.

During Soviet times, canned food production was increased. As a waste recycling machine-building factories were organized and the production of can openers, and the most different models. The most popular was the classic can opener before the revolution called the “bull head”, with a comfortable wooden handle, and at the same time a bottle opener was placed on it. This model is produced in our time.

Already at the beginning of the 20th century, devices for opening cans began to be included in the tool kit of folding knives and multitools produced for the needs of armies, and then successfully mastered by tourists. Nowadays it is difficult to imagine a set of tools for a tourist without any can opener.

In the 20th century, firms producing kitchen utensils and utensils, also actively took up the development of the production of various bottle openers. In addition to portable portable options, stationary, desktop and electrical units appeared. Some are massive and not without aesthetics. Modern kitchen samples no longer need muscular strength and, fitting into the overall interior of the kitchen, serve as good helpers for housewives.

The emergence of devices for opening cans due to the beginning of use for their manufacture of tinned tin. The material has become more subtle and relatively soft. It became possible to open such a jar even with an ordinary knife. But this method, although low-cost, remains the most dangerous. The knife can slide off the jar surface and then the consequences can be, to put it mildly, unpleasant. No less dangerous is the edge of the formed slice. It will not be possible to make it neat, the torn and jagged edges bending chaotically, will be a rather serious danger.

The main elements of a special knife for canned foods are a thick short blade that is difficult to break and a special stop for the edge of the can so that the device does not slip off. This made it possible to obtain smoother cut edges and to make the can opening process safer. The development of the idea led to the creation of the safest species, generally devoid of the blade as such. Turning pointed wheels began to perform its function, the contact of which with the hands of a person opening a can is almost impossible.

The development of devices for opening cans has led to the emergence of a wide variety of, often completely dissimilar structures.

The easiest way is the built-in key, available in cans manufactured specifically with this simple device. The lids of such cans have a special groove along the flange. If you pull the key evenly, the bank opens, and the resulting edge, despite the tininess of the tin in this place, turns out to be quite safe, but the curved can lid cannot be used as intended.

Another variant of the built-in key involves twisting the cap into a roll., with the result that the contents of the jar becomes available. The method has received the widest distribution in the first half of the XX century. In either case, the production of cans requires some complication of their design. The indisputable advantage of the described keys was their reliability in the field, when it is difficult to keep a special autonomous opener. For this reason, such banks with keys began to make army rations.

In the conditions of expeditions, and ordinary hiking, to ensure the safety of tools is much easier. A modern folding knife, which has a set of blades and tools, almost certainly includes the simplest can opener.

Special developments for housewives led to the emergence of bottle openers with various technical solutions that reduce physical effort when opening a can. One of the main directions was development of an opener with a clamping mechanism and a rotating handle connected to the cutting wheel. There are several options for such a device. The most important difference is the minimum effort applied to the opening process. The mechanical opener gently cuts through the jar either on the rim or immediately below it.

The emergence of electric bottle openers was a natural development of mechanical models.in which, in one way or another, the efforts of man were required. Even portable electric devices with batteries, all mechanical operations are performed independently.Automatic electric opener allowed to save a person from having to hold the jar. It is only necessary to insert it into the device, and at the end of the operation to extract.

Among the modern kitchen equipment can be found quite massive and from this sustainable desktop openers. These electrical appliances are made of sufficiently durable materials, which allows for their long-term operation. Installs a tabletop opener on rubberized legs, which prevents slipping. The can is fixed in a special holder and, turning, it is automatically cut along the edge with a sharp stainless steel knife.

In bars, restaurants and cafes, the so-called professional opener of large dimensions and power is often used to open large cans. It differs from household appliances by the ability to open banks by weight in excess of 1.2 kg. Increased demands on the strength, stability and performance of such devices affect their price. This is perhaps the most expensive, but at the same time a universal version of the device for opening any cans.

When purchasing a can opener for cans, of course, each of them determines their choice by complying with the product requirements. Among them:

• functionality;
• durability;
• price

However, no less important are the reviews of the owners of a particular model of the device.

Currently, the market is literally saturated with inexpensive Chinese-made mechanical openers. Products from different manufacturers are the same very well-proven model of a mechanical bottle opener, developed in the middle of the 20th century by specialists from Tefal. Opener allows you to get a smooth edge without sharp edges and burrs. The price of the Chinese version is much lower than the price of the original.

Mastered by the Chinese industry and the production of the popular model of the Soviet bottle opener for cans and bottles, with a comfortable wooden handle, under the name "Retro".

Of course, quality products provide proven companies in the production of kitchen equipment companies. The widest range of mechanical openers, and simple can openers, produced by: Tefal, Metaltex, Tescoma, Bradantia.

• Overview of electric models begin with the original bottle openers "Moment". The name speaks for itself. Indeed, this device copes with its work quickly. In addition, the cut edge is smooth and completely safe. The electric can opener "Moment" from two AA batteries works. The device easily adapts to any standard size of covers.

• The original model Polaris PJO 3003 - a small electrical apparatus, mounted on a can, placed on a table or other flat surface. After starting the machine opens the can and stops at the end of the process. It only remains to remove the bottle opener from the can. On the part of the user, absolutely no effort is required to open the canned food.

• Wonderful desktop version of the opener offers Tefal company, its model Tefal 8536 is an example of a classic reliable device in its class. This universal kitchen device equally well opens both tins and bottles. It will help when sharpening kitchen knives. Fixing the banks using a magnet. Opener starts from a light touch to a special lever. The unit is absolutely safe for the user.

• A similar device and no less reliable have a range of models from other manufacturers: Kenwood CO 600, CASO (D 10), Tristar (BO 2102). Distinguishes them from each other design decision, including versions of models in the metal case and with different power of electric drives, which, of course, affects the price of goods. Compared to the Tefal opener described, modifications of some models can be three times more expensive.

• For the normal functioning of a modern restaurant requires serious equipment. So, for the daily intensive use of a number of companies offers professional units. Cancan Turkish Opener - one of these devices. This rather large stationary device is designed for opening cans up to 350 mm high. Per minute with this device you can open up to 8 cans.

The choice of the model for can openers can be dictated by the requirements for this adaptation requirements. So, in hiking or dacha conditions it will be possible to get by with the simplest option, requiring quite considerable physical effort, is suitable for such conditions and a portable electric opener. For housewives as a budget option, simple mechanical models are suitable. If it is necessary to open cans quite a lot and often, it is better to purchase electric models of openers. In any case, the owners of a cafe or restaurant will have to consider the issue of purchasing a professional device.

A quality opener should meet a number of simple requirements, including:

• reliability;
• convenience;
• security.

For kitchen units, in addition to functionality, design can be an important criterion.

The devices for opening cans are far from the same, it is the variety of technical solutions that often becomes the cause of their improper use, in turn causing injury or other unpleasant consequences.

As a rule, instructions are attached to modern electronic devices, following which will help to avoid trouble.

Oddly enough, but the inability to use the simplest openers often cause injuries, scratches or cuts. To use them safely, you must follow a few simple rules:

• you need to open the jar on a hard surface, fixing it with your hand
• performing opening operations, try not to be distracted, controlling the whole process;
• After using the bottle opener, carefully open and remove the cover, paying attention to its edges.

An overview of the One touch can openers in the video below.