So, UK-Y....How do you use your can opener?

*sigh*  Let me preface by saying I can't believe this is an issue.

My husband and I just had an argument over the can opener.  Tin opener. Whatever.  We have two. One only works from the top (i.e. you lay it on top of the can, and it cuts around the side).  I hate that one.  The other is what I've always thought of as 'normal:' one straight wheel, one slanted blade, you put it against the side and it cuts around the top edge of the lid.

So there I was, about to open my can of tuna, when my husband says 'Wait! Let me show you something!'  He took the can and opener, puts it on the top of the can, and starts opening it from the side.  The he tells me 'See, this way, you can pour the water out the side, and you don't damage the opener.'

Damage the can opener?  It's meant to work from the side, obviously, or it wouldn't work.  I demonstrated this by getting out the other one, showing him the difference in blade placement, showing him that that one physically won't open the other way, and telling him that the one I'd been using was exactly like the ones I've been using for the past 30 years at home.  And then pointing out that, while draining liquid out the side of the tin is nice, being able to press the lid down on top of the tuna to get all the water out is even better.  I did all this quite calmly, because I thought he was probably just confusing the two openers, and that when I pointed out the design differences, and the advantage of using it that way in that instance, that he'd say 'Oh, right. Carry on then.'  But he just refused to acknowledge that I wasn't 'wrong.'

But he's walking around all annoyed and pouting, as though I've done something wrong.  I suppose because I wasn't dazzled and grateful for this revelation in can-opening (which, I might add, left me with soggy tuna)?  Sorry, but I've had a handle on the situation for decades.  There's nothing wrong with my way.  I don't insist that anyone else do it that way, but it's much easier for me, it has (in my opinion) a few advantages, and it certainly isn't harmful to that particular can opener!

Anyway.  Grr.  I'm really annoyed.  I don't even want an apology.  Just an admission that I wasn't doing anything wrong!

If I understand correctly.....you were using (and prefer) one that cuts the lid inside the rim, taking off the lid but leaving the rim?
The other cuts the side of the can and removes the rim as well.

I prefer the first, like you said, you can leave part of the lid uncut and push down on tuna to drain the can. The 2nd type I had once and hated it, mainly because once the rim had been removed you were left with a very sharp edge at the top of the tin and also the tin is less sturdy.
Plus...I don't know if you've had Pek Chopped Pork.....always had it as a kid and occasionally now. Open both ends of can (with first type of opener) and push the meat through. Having sliced off what you want, put remainder on a plate, slide can back over it, cover with one of the lids...store in fridge.....it's how my mum always did it and I still do.

This is funny. My husband and I have definitely had "arguments" like this over the years.  Not specifically about can openers, but other small differences in the way we do things.  He always gets annoyed that I don't change my ways immediately and shower him with praise for showing me the light! 

I am with you on the opening from the side and only removing the inside of the lid and not the rim.  When I first moved to the UK, I was living in a furnished flat and they had the top opening type of opener, and I couldn't for the life of me figure it out.  I just went out and bought the type I was familiar with.  8 years later, I still have it, it still works and I don't think I have damaged it by opening tins from the side. 

We had two can openers in my mom's house as well, and while I usually wasn't particularly fussed about which I used I made sure to get the old school one for tuna for the exact reason you've said.

As far as using the can opener the other way, it's not something I've ever come across. So I don't think it's a US/UK difference, unless my husband is just a weirdo like us I actually just had to go to the cupboard and try this out, although I didn't actually cut anything--just seeing how it lined up and such. Wouldn't it basically do the same as the one that opens from the top?

Meh, just buy pull top cans

As far as using the can opener the other way, it's not something I've ever come across. So I don't think it's a US/UK difference, unless my husband is just a weirdo like us I actually just had to go to the cupboard and try this out, although I didn't actually cut anything--just seeing how it lined up and such. Wouldn't it basically do the same as the one that opens from the top?

Exactly!  I never knew it would work both ways, and now I kind of wish I could go home and see if our old ones would work from the top. 

But yeah...he didn't say much when I showed him the obvious difference between the two mechanisms.  I was still, as karin said, supposed to be thrilled that he'd shown me the error of my mistake.

And TykeMan... I think I'll skip the chopped pork.  But I do the same thing with Jellied Cranberry sauce, and it's great. 

I was still, as karin said, supposed to be thrilled that he'd shown me the error of my mistake.

Lol.  How did you ever cope for so long doing it 'wrong'  

Interesting, I've never seen a tin opener that cuts from the side.  I have always used one that cuts from the top.  Or have never tried to open one from the side  I must live under a rock.  

Of course, I have a lovely OXO opener, so I don't go searching for these things often.

I know people who prefer to open tins with a knife, rather than use an opener.

I can't seem to find a churchkey around here though.  These were the best things to drain juice from fruit, etc
Where do they sell churchkeys?  

Where do they sell churchkeys?  

I'm not sure I've ever used one that was actually purchased.  All of ours at home were old ones with either Schlitz beer or Quaker State motor oil logos.   I'm assuming they were free-with-purchase.

I would assume you could find them on Amazon, though.  Or Ebay, failing that.

Is that what you call them? I haven't seen one in years!

Interesting, I've never seen a tin opener that cuts from the side.  I have always used one that cuts from the top.  Or have never tried to open one from the side  I must live under a rock.

I'm under the same rock! I've never seen such a thing as a side-cutting tin opener!

Is that what you call them? I haven't seen one in years!

Neither have I! And I didn't know the name either!

I thought a church key was a (beer) bottle opener? I know what you're describing though and I don't have one either. I use a can opener to make a larger opening on one side of a tin and a smaller one on the other side and drain that way.

No idea what a churchkey is... never heard of it 

No idea what a churchkey is... never heard of it 

Oh, thanks!

I actually have one of those!

I'm under the same rock! I've never seen such a thing as a side-cutting tin opener!

I've used them in the past... probably at my ex-MIL's, but they're awful and i would never buy one knowingly.

I thought a church key was a (beer) bottle opener? I know what you're describing though and I don't have one either. I use a can opener to make a larger opening on one side of a tin and a smaller one on the other side and drain that way.

The ones we had usually had a different sized point on each end (one large, one small), and they also had a bottle-top opener incorporated into one end, or somewhere in the middle.