r/cereal • u/Kingsmith13 • 18h ago

How to properly open a cereal box without damaging the top box ?

I want to start collecting cereal boxes. How do I properly open them?

Can I use a heat gun?

What other way of opening without sticking your finger at the top?

3 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

19 comments sorted by

4

u/Frank_Majors 17h ago

Open the bottom

1

u/Majestic-Attitude615 1h ago

well - you need to open both to flatten them - and definitely flatten them if you are collecting a lot of them

3

u/orangevega 17h ago

I use a shotgun. the trick is to use a slug, otherwise buckshot or birdshot shreds the top somewhat. point blank can cause some powder burns on lighter colored boxes like life cereal for example so stand a good 3 or 4 yards back. don't pull the trigger, squeeze the trigger while you're exhaling. good luck!

2

u/roto_disc 18h ago

You're never going to get them open with out some damage. Just do your best.

2

u/Condottiero_Magno 17h ago

A hair dryer should soften the glue. This method is used to remove price stickers from boxes.

1

u/qwertyuiop121314321 17h ago

Put the box in a steamy hot bathroom.

1

u/Fuzzy_Welcome8348 17h ago

Open it from the bottom

1

u/MrStevenRyals 16h ago

On some boxes, the bottom is glued more than the top.

1

u/Pitiful-Anxiety-1410 17h ago

I take a big curved spoon , bottom side up and slide it under the top flap and slide it down the length. Pops the flap with no damage...

1

u/philipgk1 17h ago

Use your spoon

1

u/parodrigo 16h ago

i use a small offset spatula and slide it to break the seal. i dont collect but just hate them ripping and not being able to close it properly

1

u/grollef 16h ago

It is hard to open cereal boxes and their inner bag nowadays without destroying them. Cardboard used now is so cheap and the bags within are welded shit.

1

u/MrStevenRyals 16h ago

I've been using a binder clip for years: Slide one of the metal loops under the box's top flap where it will fit and carefully slide it to each side till you separate the glued parts. This method won't always separate the parts cleanly, but it does reduce tears and creases.

1

u/Planetofthought 12h ago

I stick my index finger underhanded carefully into the middle of the tab. Then I slowly slide my finger to the side which pulls the flaps apart. Then i do the other side.

The trick is to be gentle.

1

u/SallyRoseD 6h ago

A letter opener works.

1

u/Majestic-Attitude615 1h ago

I slide a butter knife under the flap