"jmcquown" > wrote in message
...
> The problem with that idea is often the bottom of the cans are not
> conducive to regular hand held (or even electric, which I never
> understood) can-openers. Not everyone owns one that cuts around the
> outside of the can. In which case, flipping the can over wouldn't really
> help. Just say'n.

Used to be that you could open all cans that way and it was recommended to
do that because mice and rats won't run over the bottom of a can, nor can it
collect dust.

These days you can still open some cans that way. But many have a sort of
rounded edge at the bottom so the can opener won't work on it.

For stuff like beans, I used to open both ends and use the bottom to push
the stuff out.