There’s nothing quite as refreshing as cracking open a cold one with the boys on a hot summer day. But as cool as they are, soda cans do make a lot of noise when you open them.
So is there a way to do it quietly and not disturb everyone in your household? Fortunately, there is, and you’re going to find out how in this article.
» QUICK NAVIGATION «
Why Do Soda Cans Make Noise?
Before you learn how to open a can of soda quietly, it’s also important for you to understand why they make the noise in the first place. That way, you’ll have a better chance of being successful when trying out the methods I list below.
As you know, when you open almost any soda can, you’ll hear two distinctive sounds: one from the tab and the other from the fizzy soda. The first sound, of course, is from the tab pushing the aluminum can.
But the second, more interesting sound, comes from the fact that the pressure inside the can is much higher than the pressure outside of it. That difference is exactly what helps your soda stay fizzy.
When you first open the soda can, the pressure differential inside the can is trying to equalize itself. It is pushing the gas out and the gas makes the hissing noise.
But now, since the pressure is much lower than it used to be, the gas bubbles have nothing holding them to the liquid. So they start rising to the surface and popping once they’re on top.
How to Open a Soda Can Quietly
To open a soda can as quietly as possible, you need to equalize that pressure slowly, so it doesn’t hiss. You also have to be careful when pushing the aluminum tab and ensure it doesn’t make that popping noise. Here’s how you do that.
1. Put the Can In the Freezer
One of the easiest ways to open your soda can quietly is to put it in the freezer beforehand. Don’t worry, it doesn’t have to stay in there for hours on end. Just a few minutes, ideally around 10, will do the trick. By lowering the temperature of the can to nearly freezing temperature, you’ll help equalize some of the pressure in the can.
Once it’s cold, slowly pull the tab, releasing the pressure and letting the gas bubbles out. You can use a can tab opener like this one that slides under the tab and gives you more control.
- Soda Can Tab Openers - Set of (2) Soda Can...
- No more broken nails trying to open beverage...
- Assorted Colors (Chosen at random)
When you feel like it won’t go anymore without a stronger pull, take your thumb and go over the can opening. Push it firmly down until you open it. Be careful when you’re holding your thumb over the can to avoid cutting yourself.
Now that you’ve successfully opened your soda can and finished your refreshing drink, don’t throw away the can just yet. If you want to upcycle it, there’s a fun and easy DIY project you can do. With just a few simple tools, you can turn any old soda can into a muffler for your car.
2. With Your Thumb
If you don’t have a freezer or don’t want to wait for your delicious beverage to cool down, there’s another trick that’ll help you open a soda can quietly. First, grab your soda can and firmly grip it with your left hand.
If you can, put it on a flat, sturdy surface to avoid any spilling. Then, using the base of your thumb on your right hand, start slowly pushing the opening down.
While you’re doing this, make sure you haven’t put any fingers on the tab. If you leave the rest of your thumb or fingers on the tab, you risk pushing too hard and having it open too fast. When that happens, the soda can will make a loud popping noise, which is exactly what we’re trying to avoid.
The point of opening a soda can with your thumb is to slowly relieve some of the pressure that’s inside. Once you feel like it’s stopped hissing, take the tip of your thumb and slowly start pushing on the opening, just like you did with the previous method.
You also might be able to open the can with only the base of your thumb by pushing firmly. However, you risk pushing too hard and spilling your drink on yourself.
3. Use a Dish Towel
If you don’t want to fiddle with a can or try opening it with your thumb, you should try using a dish towel. You can also use a couple of towels on the can to dampen the sound even better.
Take your towel of choice and wrap it as tightly around the soda as you can. Also, make sure that the majority of the fabric is on the top part of the can.
Then, using your thumb and index finger, take the tab and slowly start pulling it up. Again, the point here is for you to do it slowly enough until the pressure stops equalizing.
One of the benefits of opening your can of soda with a towel is that it’ll muffle both the hissing and the popping sound.
4. Cut Off the Top of the Can
Next, for those who prefer an innovative and user-friendly method, a special soda can opener could be just the tool you need. This clever little gadget removes the lid from the can, all while keeping the noise to a minimum and leaving a smooth, safe edge.
Operating this can opener is a breeze. You simply place it on top of the can, making sure it’s aligned with the edge where the lid and the body meet. Then you twist and watch as it effortlessly cuts through the aluminum, separating the lid from the can in no time.
- DRAFT TOP LIFT: The Draft Top LIFT grabs and...
- UPDATED DESIGN: The latest Draft Top design...
- RIP AND SIP:The Draft Top LIFT is the...
- SAFETY FIRST: Draft Top LIFT opens cans quick...
The result is a silent opening, free from the hissing and popping sounds we’re trying to avoid. Plus, this method lets you enjoy your fizzy drink with ease, as you’re no longer limited by the tiny opening. And, with the smooth edge left behind, you can sip away without any worries about cuts or scrapes.
5. Puncture the Can With a Knife
If all else fails and you don’t have a freezer or can opener, you can use a knife. However, this is a pretty tricky method and you have to be extremely careful when handling the knife.
There are two ways you can do this: puncturing the side or the bottom of the can. If you want to go for the side, you should tilt the can slightly to the left.
Then, poke a small hole at the top of the can, on the right-hand side. That little hole will release all of the built-up pressure inside and the soda won’t hiss.
On the other hand, you could also poke a small hole on the bottom of the can to avoid pulling the tab altogether. If you decide to go with this method, put a glass right under the can that’ll “catch” the soda.
Enjoy Your Soda Quietly
Those were the five best ways to open a soda can quietly and get away with it without anyone else noticing. As you can see, all of these are extremely simple and usually just require a bit of patience. So take your time, go slowly, and you’ll be successful.
RELATED POSTS:
- How To Chew Quietly While Eating
- How To Open A Bag Of Chips Quietly
- How To Deal With A Noisy Roommate
- How To Open A Champagne Bottle Quietly
SHARE ON:
- By Soundproof Living