Tins

Not impossible yet, but opening them can certainly be messy, even without arthritis.
I put a low bowl on a tea towel in preparation.

I open them over the sink. If my hands are particularly painful, I use a normal tin opener.

Yes, I find them difficult to open for the same reason.

I am also having mega problems using deodorant sprays.

Like olderme I tend to open them over the sink with the containe in the sink

Also Fray Bentos steakpies. For us, an essential holiday ingredient. They are an absolute b*gger to open.

Whilst we don't eat sardines, I believe my method would work as well as it does for other tins. Place tin in sink, holding with one hand, pull ring with long nose pliers.

We've got a ring pull opener. It works quite well, although I can easily break a nail just easing the ring up first.

Ours is like this one, made by Culinare. Available at many retailers. Other makes available too.

I have one of these too allera. I got it at asda but they are also available on amazon.

ExDancer

I have one of these too allera. I got it at asda but they are also available on amazon.

So many tins have ring pulls now but I know that sardine options are particularly awkward.
We had one recently where the ring pull had come off (we didn't notice as we bought four tins, I think) and DH had a real struggle to open it with a tin opener.

I'm sure pilchards used to come in small but tall round tins.

options
😁 tins

Once nearly cut the tip of my finger off- now open with a can opener. Corn beef is another I hate opening.

We have a ring pull which works really well.

I find slipping the tail of a spoon under the ring and then lifting the spoon works well. The Fray Bentos tins can only be opened with a really robust quality tin opener.

Allira

We've got a ring pull opener. It works quite well, although I can easily break a nail just easing the ring up first.

Ours is like this one, made by Culinare. Available at many retailers. Other makes available too.

I have had one of these for ages and don’t know how I’d manage without it.
I had the same problem with opening tins at first but solved it by taking a teaspoon and easing the ring up a little, just enough to get the bit of the opener underneath. Never fails and easy on arthritic fingers. I know because I have got those too!

Ring pull cans require a fair amount of strength to achieve any result. Often hopeless!

Had trouble with a 6 pack of Heinz baked beans. Couldn’t get ring pull to work, tried can opener. Managed small hole, scraped out beans with a fork. Then had the sense to open the last 2 cans upside down with can opener. Similar problems with sardines, again ended up scraping with fork, very fiddly.

Has an anyone tried the can opener which works on its own? I forget where I saw it online.

Elrel: I have 1 of them & it works well.

Re: the ring pull opener shown by Allira, you can use the tail end to slip under and lift the ring before opening with the top end.

I buy tinned tomatoes to make tomato soup - usually Sainsbury’s own, decided to try a branded one (more expensive) only to find the ring pull snapping off, (and mentioned in reviews). Impossible to open with a can opener so had to bin it, a waste if money! Sainsbury’s own are fine.

NanTheWiser

Re: the ring pull opener shown by Allira, you can use the tail end to slip under and lift the ring before opening with the top end.

I buy tinned tomatoes to make tomato soup - usually Sainsbury’s own, decided to try a branded one (more expensive) only to find the ring pull snapping off, (and mentioned in reviews). Impossible to open with a can opener so had to bin it, a waste if money! Sainsbury’s own are fine.

Thanks, NanTheWiser

You're obviously wiser than me 😁

I have tried to open a jar of pickle from farmers’ market. I made a total mess of the top with my unscrewing implement. I am now waiting for the Age Uk handyman to come and sort it (he does have other jobs that need doing as well!)

Yes i got a ring puller after son cut his hand with ring-pull lid.i think i got it on Temu for a couple of quid.But am sure Amazon will have them too. I also got an electric tin opener from asda for a tenner

Tee1, dont mind me asking,but how much do Age Uk charge for handyman service? I used to have their cleaner service a few years back but i dont think they had a handyman service back then.It may be something i need now.

Elrel- i think argos,asda,or dunelm,or amazon all do that can opener.

Mt61

Once nearly cut the tip of my finger off- now open with a can opener. Corn beef is another I hate opening.

It was always Cornbeef and plasters in our house. Especially using the little key on the side.