Food Storage Made Easy - Latest Comments in What to do with Extra #10 Food Storage Cans

Re: What to do with Extra #10 Food Storage Cans

Karen — Wed, 29 Nov 2017 23:02:34 -0000

Keep the lid and label and hide important things (or even just things you want to keep out of little hands) in them. Then hide them in plain sight in your pantry.

Re: What to do with Extra #10 Food Storage Cans

Sarah — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 16:46:33 -0000

I use a can opener that doesn't leave a sharp edge. It cuts on the outside of the can, right near the top. I think they are around $10 and I've found them at Walmart and other kitchen supply stores. VERY nice, especially with little kids. And no mess when the can is opening.

Re: What to do with Extra #10 Food Storage Cans

Mamamo — Fri, 11 May 2012 13:39:41 -0000

A reflanger (that is how you spell it), a gadget that forms a new flange on a can after it removes the old rim, is made by a man in Idaho. David Gering in Nampa, Idaho makes a portable #10 can seamer. He also makes a can reflanger for #10 cans. (#10 cans are the larger cans that are just under a gallon in capacity. A true gallon can is a #12 can, but they are not commonly used for food.) The can reflanger cuts off the ring from the old lid and forms a new flange that will accept a new "double seam" lid. The reflanging and seaming chucks are electrically powered, but the operation of the rolls is manual. At about $1250 per machine, the seamer and the reflanger are more suitable for group use than individual use. David's contact info is: www.geringandson.com. He has been making this equipment for over 20 years. The site has the seamer information. Ask him for the reflanger info.

Re: What to do with Extra #10 Food Storage Cans

ORRIS11@COX.NET — Tue, 31 May 2011 16:09:48 -0000

My husband puts holes in the bottom with nails and uses them to water specific areas of his garden and Blueberry beds. Thanks for all the info. Orris

Re: What to do with Extra #10 Food Storage Cans

Daryl Andrea — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 14:07:37 -0000

For kids-You can turn them upside down, pierce 2 holes at the top edges across form each other, and then thread a rope(about 5-6' long) from 1 hole to the other, knotting it in the inside. These are like what they use to use on "Romper Room". Kids stand on the upside down cans, 1 foot per can, holding onto the rope 'handle' and walking on them! Could be a little dangerous, might want to try it on the carpet or lawn....

Re: What to do with Extra #10 Food Storage Cans

Andi_zorn_ — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 20:49:51 -0000

I wired a lamp socket thru one and turned it into a yogurt maker. I set a pan of warm water on top of it with the jars inside. The light bulb keeps it warm enough to incubate.

Re: What to do with Extra #10 Food Storage Cans

shoppin — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 00:36:44 -0000

I know it may be a little late to chime in, but we also like to use them for BB gun target practice both the can and the cut out lid

Re: What to do with Extra #10 Food Storage Cans

Jodi and Julie — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 00:15:59 -0000

For things that we use a lot of, we like buckets (wheat, legumes,
etc.). For things that have shorter shelf lives once opened, or that
we aren't using a lot now but want to store in case we need it for our
year supply, we use #10 cans. It really boils down to your personal
needs.

Re: What to do with Extra #10 Food Storage Cans

S. Clayton — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 13:00:37 -0000

I am interested in the reflanging idea. I heard there was one available somewhere for maybe around $25, but can only find reference to ones that cost ~$900. Do you know where I could get one? Also, I don't have a basement and have a smaller house. I am working on my year's supply, but am torn between the idea of using buckets or #10 cans. Which do you use for most of your supply? Thanks for your help! - S. Clayton

Re: What to do with Extra #10 Food Storage Cans

Jodi and Julie — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 23:28:24 -0000

Could you sand it down with a heavy duty file or something?

Re: What to do with Extra #10 Food Storage Cans

Yvonne — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 21:24:13 -0000

What do you do about the sharp lip on the new, extra #10 cans. I want to make some craft kits for children, but that sharp lip bothers me. Yvonne calvon@q.com

Re: What to do with Extra #10 Food Storage Cans

Kim — Tue, 18 May 2010 16:19:18 -0000

I had this problem as well when I went to open my first can of storage. The canners you use to can at home have a thicker rim than the ones at the church cannery. The solution I finally found out was to just turn the can upside down and open it from the other end with the thinner rim. Hope this helps someone.

Re: What to do with Extra #10 Food Storage Cans

Jennifer Smith Wallace — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 22:15:54 -0000

If you left a lot of it above ground, it could also help support the lower stems.

Re: What to do with Extra #10 Food Storage Cans

allisonc — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 16:31:44 -0000

Have did this one and children love it. Always want to make new ones every time.

Re: What to do with Extra #10 Food Storage Cans

Esther — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 14:20:27 -0000

Turn you #10 cans into Berry Picking Cans. Just punch two holes near the top rim opposite of each other with a nail and hammer. Place a 2x4 inside the can and hammer nails from the outside. Be sure to tap the inside of the hole to get rid of sharp edges. Thread through some twine or rope to your desired length, waist high is easiest for me. Make one for each member of the family and have fun harvesting wild berries!

Re: What to do with Extra #10 Food Storage Cans

Rayann — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 23:14:33 -0000

Sorry, didn't see that someone already posted this.

Re: What to do with Extra #10 Food Storage Cans

Rayann — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 23:13:45 -0000

Open both ends using a regular can opener, use the pointed end of a "church key" type opener to make holes all around the bottom, and use as a charcoal starter. It's good for starting up the barbecue with only 2 sheets of newspaper! Works fast, too!

Re: What to do with Extra #10 Food Storage Cans

Carrie Levonius — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:10:24 -0000

You could fill the bottom inch or so with sand after punching holes in the side in a decorative design. With them weighted with sand place a candle in the bottom and light it. These would make great path lights and luminarias for special holidays and Christmas.

Re: What to do with Extra #10 Food Storage Cans

Victoria Brown — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:21:34 -0000

The reason for the churchkey-type can opener, that's the type which creates a triangle opening, is that it creates a little larger hole than most other types of punches.
You may need to use pliers to fold the flaps down against the edge of the can, for safety reasons.

Re: What to do with Extra #10 Food Storage Cans

Victoria Brown — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:13:07 -0000

This is also known as a Hobo Stove. You use it with a buddy burner (tuna can with cardboard & paraffin wax) for the heat source.

Re: What to do with Extra #10 Food Storage Cans

Victoria Brown — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:07:14 -0000

I have seen this before for a Christmas decoration, though it doesn't need to be limited to any one holiday.

Thanks for the reminder.

May want to use the metal spoon idea to reduce the sharp edges inside, making it a little safer, just make sure to not close up the holes. Plus some sand or other weight in the bottom, to keep it from possibly tipping over.

Re: What to do with Extra #10 Food Storage Cans

Victoria Brown — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:01:45 -0000

I have mainly switched over to a can opener that cuts from the side, so there isn't a sharp edge in the can itself. I only use the old-fashioned can opener if I want to use the lid to help strain the contents.

Re: What to do with Extra #10 Food Storage Cans

Victoria Brown — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:58:21 -0000

This sounds interesting. More information, please.

Re: What to do with Extra #10 Food Storage Cans

Victoria Brown — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:56:35 -0000

Another use with both ends cut out is as a charcoal chimney fire starter. Just punch some holes around the "bottom" with a churchkey-type can opener, for ventilation. Put some crumpled up paper or some other fire starter in with a few coals at the bottom, then put some more charcoal on top. Finally, have some tongs available to remove the can when the coals are going well. You can light the firestarter(s) through the ventilation holes.

Re: What to do with Extra #10 Food Storage Cans

Victoria Brown — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:51:48 -0000

You can use them as a pan, saucepan, etc, but you have to be extra careful since you don't have a regular handle and you could burn yourself.
You can use them to carry food or utensils, just make sure that it isn't top heavy.
You can make them into a stove (see Hobo stove in earlier posts)
You can use them for water or dirt for fire safety.
You can think of other uses, using your own creativity.