How to Oil a Manual Can Opener

Chances are you've got a manual can opener that could use oiling. It's that can opener that's been around for years--used, quickly washed, then tossed back in the kitchen drawer. After a while, that can opener may become difficult to operate, requiring unreasonable brute strength to get the lid from a can of tuna. Profit minded entrepreneurs would like you to believe that what you need is a new, “better” can opener that will cost just a few dollars. But there's a simpler, less expensive solution--a little oil will rehabilitate a sticky, rusty can opener in just minutes.

Things You'll Need

• Can opener
• Food grade mineral oil
• Old tooth brush
• Dish detergent

Instructions

1. 

   Wash the can opener in warm water and dish detergent. Scrub debris from the cutting blade and the exposed gear.

2. 

   Open the can opener to dry. Use a soft clean cloth.

3. 

   Pour approximately 1 tablespoon of food grade mineral oil onto the exposed gear and cutting blade and around the hand crank.

4. 

   Use an old tooth brush to scrub greasy or rusty residue from all exposed parts of the can opener. Pay special attention to the gears and hand crank.

5. 

   Turn the hand crank in order to fully work the oil into the gears. Continue to turn the hand crank until it turns easily.

6. 

   Wash the oil from the exposed surfaces of the can opener with warm water and dish detergent. Dry the can opener.

7. 

   Oil the can opener every couple of months to keep it operating smoothly.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to use food grade mineral oil, not baby oil, to lubricate a can opener. Food grade mineral oil has no fragrance or other additives and is readily available at most drug stores and pharmacies or at cutlery shops.

• Do not use vegetable oil to lubricate the can opener. Vegetable oil will become gummy over time, making the can opener harder to operate.