# How do you cut the bottom off of a SPAM can? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 23, 2009, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-cut-the-bottom-off-of-a-spam-can/522294 "2009-12-23T05:23:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2009, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-cut-the-bottom-off-of-a-spam-can/522294/1 "2009-12-23T05:23:45Z")
That’s it. I don’t have tin snips. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2009, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-cut-the-bottom-off-of-a-spam-can/522294/2 "2009-12-23T05:36:46Z")
A good knife will do it. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2009, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-cut-the-bottom-off-of-a-spam-can/522294/3 "2009-12-23T05:38:19Z")
One of my _good_ knives? :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2009, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-cut-the-bottom-off-of-a-spam-can/522294/4 "2009-12-23T05:45:38Z")
can opener. I’ve cut them off using the type that cuts the can from the side. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2009, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-cut-the-bottom-off-of-a-spam-can/522294/5 "2009-12-23T05:48:44Z")
Haven’t got one of those. Just the pliers type. And the new cans don’t have a lip on the bottom. ---
**Author:** ![Randy\_Seltzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ee7513/32.png) [@Randy\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Randy_Seltzer)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2009, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-cut-the-bottom-off-of-a-spam-can/522294/6 "2009-12-23T06:24:12Z")
See example here: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=9794114&postcount=37](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=9794114&postcount=37) Food cans are usually made out of a fairly soft steel. Nearly any knife will be made out of a stronger steel, and should cut through it pretty easily. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2009, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-cut-the-bottom-off-of-a-spam-can/522294/7 "2009-12-23T06:25:36Z")
That’s just what I needed to see! Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2009, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-cut-the-bottom-off-of-a-spam-can/522294/8 "2009-12-23T06:38:19Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > One of my _good_ knives? :eek: \ You’re gonna need a bigger knife! \ ---
**Author:** ![Washoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecae2f/32.png) [@Washoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Washoe)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2009, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-cut-the-bottom-off-of-a-spam-can/522294/9 "2009-12-23T07:20:35Z")
OK, you’re not going to get away that easy. _Why_ are you cutting the bottom off a Spam can? Are you trying to make a musubi mold? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2009, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-cut-the-bottom-off-of-a-spam-can/522294/10 "2009-12-23T07:22:18Z")
Yes. ---
**Author:** ![Washoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecae2f/32.png) [@Washoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Washoe)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2009, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-cut-the-bottom-off-of-a-spam-can/522294/11 "2009-12-23T07:41:37Z")
What a coincidence. I just happened to make Spam musubi for lunch today. I generally don’t eat meat, but I’ll make an exception for Spam musubi any day—nom nom nom nom nom. I usually make it veggie though, with sesame seeds, slivered pickled ginger, and green onions. Anyhoo, I just thought I would point out that they make these really nifty acrylic [musubi presses](http://www.amazon.com/Spam-Musubi-Sushi-Press-K5SPS/dp/B000FWOB5S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1261552916&sr=8-1-spell). They’re wonderful and they only cost five bucks. BTW—while we’re on the subject, I can never remember—which side of the nori goes on the _inside_ of the sushi? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2009, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-cut-the-bottom-off-of-a-spam-can/522294/12 "2009-12-23T07:47:06Z")
I saw those. The first review says they charge more for shipping than they do for the thing. I’ve never made it myself, but all the ones I’ve had just had the nori wrapped around the outside. Well, I gotta hit the rack. Looking forward to lunch tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![Washoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecae2f/32.png) [@Washoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Washoe)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2009, 7:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-cut-the-bottom-off-of-a-spam-can/522294/13 "2009-12-23T07:53:29Z")
Yep. That’s the only thing that sucks about them. But they’re worth their weight in gold when you’re fiending for a musubi. ETA: BTW, try this recipe: > **[How to Make Spam Musubi Recipe](https://www.seriouseats.com/tutorial-how-to-make-hawaiian-spam-musubi-sushi)** > > In Hawaii, musubis are found at every convenience shop on the islands, 7-11 included. They're sold in school cafeterias and right alongside butter mochi at local bake sales. Picnic? Someone's mom is bound to make at least two dozen. Sleepover? Either... Even better than L & L Hawaiian BBQ’s ---
**Author:** ![fisha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@fisha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fisha)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2009, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-cut-the-bottom-off-of-a-spam-can/522294/14 "2009-12-23T14:05:01Z")
Are you buying the plane that matches your eyes next? \ ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2009, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-cut-the-bottom-off-of-a-spam-can/522294/15 "2009-12-23T16:03:47Z")
I love this place. I never heard of _Spam Musubi_ before, and probably wouldn’t have encountered it. It looks like a block of rice sandwiched between two pieces of Spam, which is sort of like putting a slice of bread between two pieces of London Broil. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2009, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-cut-the-bottom-off-of-a-spam-can/522294/16 "2009-12-23T16:50:02Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > It looks like a block of rice sandwiched between two pieces of Spam I haven’t encountered it in that configuration. I’ve only had it as sort of a giant sushi roll; a block of rice with fried SPAM on top, wrapped with a strip of nori, and drizzled with teriyaki. [Here are some images](http://images.google.com/images?client=safari&rls=en&q=%22spam%20musubi%22&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi) from google. It can be made in a variety of configurations. **fisha** : Don’t I wish! ---
**Author:** ![shiftless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9c0ed/32.png) [@shiftless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shiftless)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2009, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-cut-the-bottom-off-of-a-spam-can/522294/17 "2009-12-23T17:01:19Z")
Musubi, huh. I’m glad I came in here because this is something my family would love and I’m going to make some. My wife is a big fan of anything Li Hing Mui, grew up in Hawaii and yet has never mentioned this - boy is she going to be surprised. ---
**Author:** ![Washoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecae2f/32.png) [@Washoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Washoe)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2009, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-cut-the-bottom-off-of-a-spam-can/522294/18 "2009-12-23T17:23:54Z")
You won’t regret this decision. It is the only known way to elevate Spam to food-of-the-gods status. I’m gonna spin this thread off in Café Society—musubis deserve nothing less. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2009, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-cut-the-bottom-off-of-a-spam-can/522294/19 "2009-12-23T17:28:55Z")
> [@Washoe](#): > > I’m gonna spin this thread off in Café Society—musubis deserve nothing less. I’ll look for it there. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2009, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-cut-the-bottom-off-of-a-spam-can/522294/20 "2009-12-23T18:22:44Z")
**Washoe** has started a [Musubi thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=545031) in Café Society. So unless anyone wants to post more advice for opening the bottoms of these newfangled cans (which would be helpful for Campbell’s Soup cans if you want to make a tennis ball mortar 😉 ), I think we’re done here. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-cut-the-bottom-off-of-a-spam-can/522294.md?page=2)