A can opener is a convenient kitchen utensil. It is intended to open canned goods quickly while avoiding skin injuries caused by sharp metal. Even though the gadget assists you in opening the cans securely, there are additional can opener cleaning risks that endanger the lives of your family members.
Continue reading to find out how to clean a can opener properly.
Why Cleaning The Can Opener Is Important?
While the can opener is often the least cleaned kitchen item, it is susceptible to germs, dirt, and metal shavings. Because all these toxins are either invisible or difficult to reach, most homes fail to remove them during routine cleaning.
Consequently, metal fragments and microorganisms from the gadget enter your meals when opening fresh cans.
To prevent toxins from endangering your life, properly clean the can opener. Allow additional time to clean it to eliminate all the accumulated debris. It will stop can opener dangers and guarantee that canned food is safe to consume.
What Are Can Opener Cleaning Hazards?
Germs
Germs are a typical visitor to your can opener. Bacteria builds within the wheel as it rolls to cut the metal. You may believe cleaning the can opener completely removes germs, but this is not true.
The microorganisms are difficult to access since they are located at the rear of the wheel and within the gears. They reproduce, grow, and transfer to the food when you open a new can.
Germs are very hazardous to your health. They may cause anything from stomach pain and fever to diarrhea and poisoning. You hope it doesn't affect those you love. As a result, you must take can opener cleaning seriously and wash it thoroughly after each opened food container.
Metal Shavings
Metal shavings are little metal formed from friction between the can and the can opener. Metal shavings build on the can opener and contaminate the food if not removed. It is possible that biological (bacteria) and chemical (toxins) impurities make edibles unsafe to consume.
Sharp metal shavings may irritate the esophagus and stomach membranes and hurt the eye if they get airborne. Fortunately, hazardous shavings do not remain caught on the can opener indefinitely. They just demand a little more effort and elbow grease to remove when cleaning the gadget.
What Are Some Signs That A Can Opener Needs To Be Cleaned?
If you like to know how to identify when a manual can opener needs to be cleaned, consider the following:
A well-used can opener is a kitchen necessity. Still, like any tool, it must be cleaned regularly to avoid the accumulation of food particles and oil. Here are several indicators that your manual can opener needs to be cleaned:
- The can opener has begun to erode.
- The blades are dulling and have difficulty cutting through cans.
- The can opener has a buildup of food particles and oil.
- The can opener is beginning to smell.
If you see any of these symptoms, it's time to clean your can opener! Begin by disassembling it and cleaning the pieces with warm, soapy water. Before reassembling the can opener, carefully dry all of the components. Once clean and dried, your can opener should function normally again.
What Can Common Cleaning Agents Be Used On A Can Opener?
Most can openers have a little cleaning brush for removing any food particles that may have been caught in the gears. It is advisable to clean the can opener with a mild soap and water mixture if it is severely unclean. However, a few popular cleaning products may be used successfully on a can opener.
White vinegar is a frequent cleaning chemical used on can openers. Vinegar is an acidic solution that may dissolve trash and buildup, making it easier to remove.
Soak a paper towel or clean cloth in vinegar and wash off the can opener, ensuring you get into every corner and cranny. Before using the can opener again, thoroughly rinse it with water and properly dry it.
Baking soda is another typical cleaning agent used on a can opener. Baking soda is a soft abrasive that may remove dirt and grime from the can opener without hurting it. Mix baking soda and water and scrub the can opener clean with it. Before using the can opener again, thoroughly rinse it with water and properly dry it.
If the can opener is exceedingly unclean and neither vinegar nor baking soda seems to be working, try a gentle soap and water solution before using the can opener again, and thoroughly clean and dry it.
Whatever cleaning product you choose, it is essential to clean your can opener frequently to maintain it in excellent operating order.
How To Properly Clean Can Openers?
If your can opener is not heavily clogged, clean it with hot water and dish soap before reusing it. In a mixing dish, combine the components to make a concentrated sudsy solution. Immerse the can opener in the solution for a couple of minutes to loosen the dirt and kill the germs.
Scrub the wheel with a hard sponge or a toothbrush to remove any debris that has been lodged within it. To drive the obstinate particles out, rinse with a vigorous stream of water.
Allow the item to dry in a well-ventilated area. We suggest opening the gadget's handles to let every particle of moisture from the wheel and gears evaporate.
Remember that if water traces remain in the wheel, you will face a new problem - rust. As a result, let the gadget completely dry out. Paper towels should not be used to dry the can opener because they may not absorb all the water from the wheel.
If you haven't cleaned the can opener in a long time, ditch the dish soap in favor of something more potent. A dish soap will not remove the bacteria and metal shavings collected on the gadget. In this scenario, bleach may perform an excellent job of thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting the device.
Mix 1 tablespoon of bleach with 1 gallon of water. Spray the can opener with the solution after filling a spray bottle halfway with it. Please pay careful attention to the wheel and its surroundings since most impurities are found here.
When dealing with persistent filth, clean the wheel with a towel or use a toothbrush to boost the scrubbing force.
Take your time cleaning the device; you should scrape repeatedly and patiently until the stuck-on trash comes off. Rinse the gadget well and allow it to dry with the handles open. Allow several hours for the water and bleach residue to be removed from the can opener and wheel. Then, use mineral oil to prevent corrosion and help the wheel roll more smoothly.
How To Keep A Can Opener In Good Condition?
You should follow a few simple procedures to maintain your can opener in excellent condition for as long as possible.
Wash Immediately After Use
Washing your hands after using a can opener can assist in eliminating any food residue before it dries. To clean it, use warm, soapy water and then rinse with cold water. Place it on a dish rack or dry it with a tea towel. Keep your fingers away from the blades when cleaning the can opener.
Keep it Safe in Your Drawer
It is critical to keep your can opener in a dry location, and it will keep the blade sharp and prevent surface corrosion. Keep your can opener away from the steam your stove or rice cooker produces.
Avoid The Dishwasher
Please do not put your can opener in the dishwasher to preserve it in good condition. The blade may be harmed by the high temperatures and the excess water, which may lead to surface rust. The hot water from the dishwasher will heat up faster than the water in your sink, potentially damaging your can opener.
Conclusion
Can opener cleaning hazards require much attention, no matter how overlooked? As you open fresh cans, metal shavings, bacteria, and filth from the tool enter the food. You don't want them to create significant health issues.
As a result, before opening a fresh can, make a point of cleaning the gadget. Wiping a moist towel for a few seconds will leave the stuck-on muck in place. Make patience your best friend and thoroughly clean your can opener to guarantee it is free of pollutants.
