How to Steam Open an Envelope

Steaming open an envelope is one of the oldest tricks in the book. It's really easy, and, if done carefully, is barely noticeable by the mail recipient.

Steps

1. Turn on your stove.
2. Put on a pot of water. You don't really need much water, but try to put an inch-and-a-half in the bottom of the pot. If you use too much water, it will take forever to boil, but don't use too little, or it'll evaporate before you can open the envelope.
3. Wait for the water to boil.
4. Hold the envelope over the boiling water with the flap-side down, and find a spot where you can put your thumb under the flap. A good spot is at the very end of either side of the flap, because some envelopes don't have any glue there.
5. Apply constant light pressure on the flap. Be gentle, you don't want to tear the paper. Once the steam saturates the envelope (it will feel hot, damp and limp), the glue will melt, and the envelope will open.
6. To reseal the envelope, wait for it to dry, and lick the glue again like normal. If it doesn't, you can use some Elmer's glue, but make sure that you spread it around very well so that it looks like a normal envelope.

Tips

• Don't hold the paper in the steam for too long. You'll get it all soggy and give the game away.
• Don't leave a pot of boiling water lying around. Not only is that dangerous, but it's suspicious. Either dump it out and put it away, or make some Ramen noodles or tea or something. No sense in wasting all that water.
• Remember that the name of the game is espionage. Be secretive, don't do this around anyone you don't want to know (or who might squeal), and don't leave the open envelope lying where someone can see it before you close it again. Use your brain.
• Alternatively, an electric kettle can be used instead of a pot of water. It tends to create a greater quantity of steam that is hotter. It also avoids the possibility of scorching the edges of your envelope if you have a gas stove. Heat the water in the kettle and hold the envelope 3-4 inches away from the spout to create an even distribution of steam across the seal.
• Consider using a skewer instead of your thumb or finger to peel the flap up. It allows for more precise control and is especially effective if you place the skewer vertically underneath the flap at one end and twirl it along the length of the flap.

Warnings

• Opening someone else's mail without their consent is a felony. This is for educational purposes only.

Things You'll Need

• A pot of water
• A stove
• Elmer's glue (optional)