When should I replace my can opener?
June 13, 2012 3:19 PM Subscribe
How do I know when I should replace my hand-operated can opener?
Somehow I was under the impression that these things just kind of worked forever, barring any actual damage. A neglected remnant of my youthful years, probably.
But my current model (two grip handles and a turning handle) appears to have a tough time cutting open cans. Yesterday I opened a can of frijoles negros and was left with a lid that was still connected to the can in two locations, directly across from each other. ¡Ay, caramba! I went back over those spots two, then three times. No good.
Is this most likely a weakness in the can opener design that I never noticed until now, or does that blade just go dull after a while? And is this any reason to look for a nicer model in the future?
I think I've had the can opener for about 5 years.
Prefer the manual kind over electric for now. Thanks!
Somehow I was under the impression that these things just kind of worked forever, barring any actual damage. A neglected remnant of my youthful years, probably.
But my current model (two grip handles and a turning handle) appears to have a tough time cutting open cans. Yesterday I opened a can of frijoles negros and was left with a lid that was still connected to the can in two locations, directly across from each other. ¡Ay, caramba! I went back over those spots two, then three times. No good.
Is this most likely a weakness in the can opener design that I never noticed until now, or does that blade just go dull after a while? And is this any reason to look for a nicer model in the future?
I think I've had the can opener for about 5 years.
Prefer the manual kind over electric for now. Thanks!
Look into the ones that don't cut through the metal, but remove the whole top of the can. They will likely be marketed as "safe" since they do not leave a sharp edge either.
posted by soelo at 3:28 PM on June 13, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by soelo at 3:28 PM on June 13, 2012 [1 favorite]
Bizarre! I was just wondering this myself a few minutes ago. I have had mine for twelve years and it's still going strong.
They're pretty cheap, though, you know? I am notorious for "making do" for years longer than I need to with stuff like that, but really, if you think it's not working well, just go get another one.
posted by something something at 3:55 PM on June 13, 2012
They're pretty cheap, though, you know? I am notorious for "making do" for years longer than I need to with stuff like that, but really, if you think it's not working well, just go get another one.
posted by something something at 3:55 PM on June 13, 2012
The ones soelo refers to are nice, but of course they still cut through metal. Metal is metal, whether it's the side of the can or the top of the can.
posted by Sara C. at 4:09 PM on June 13, 2012
posted by Sara C. at 4:09 PM on June 13, 2012
When it stops cutting the tops of cans off easily. Sounds like yours needs replacing. Yeah, five years isn't all that long for a kitchen gadget, but there it is. Try another brand next time. I have this and it's lasted 12+ years.
posted by Sidhedevil at 5:31 PM on June 13, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by Sidhedevil at 5:31 PM on June 13, 2012 [1 favorite]
In my experience its when it breaks and your hand slips and you slice your thumb bad enough that you need 5 stitches.
Ruined my plan for salmon patties that night.
posted by ducktape at 6:40 PM on June 13, 2012
Ruined my plan for salmon patties that night.
posted by ducktape at 6:40 PM on June 13, 2012
Replace it when it stops working for you. Personally, for me that's when I had to make more than a few passes, and when it didn't cut like butter, and it couldn't be sharpened any more.
I recently replaced the can opener I'd inherited from my grandma with the closest thing to it that I could find - an Amco Swing-A-Way that wasn't some ridiculously huge brushed stainless or kooky plastic weird thing. They come with a five year warranty, and this one's doing well after a few months. On a cost-per-use basis, it owes me nothing - but I loved my old one so much because it felt better to my hands and took up so little room in the utensil drawer. I'll be poking around Estate Sales and other stores for another vintage (or modern) Ekco Miracle Can opener. That thing was magical.
posted by peagood at 8:13 PM on June 13, 2012 [1 favorite]
I recently replaced the can opener I'd inherited from my grandma with the closest thing to it that I could find - an Amco Swing-A-Way that wasn't some ridiculously huge brushed stainless or kooky plastic weird thing. They come with a five year warranty, and this one's doing well after a few months. On a cost-per-use basis, it owes me nothing - but I loved my old one so much because it felt better to my hands and took up so little room in the utensil drawer. I'll be poking around Estate Sales and other stores for another vintage (or modern) Ekco Miracle Can opener. That thing was magical.
posted by peagood at 8:13 PM on June 13, 2012 [1 favorite]
Sounds like yours is done. Get a Swing-a-way. I've had mine for 25+ years (my god, that makes me feel old).
posted by i_like_camels at 8:42 PM on June 13, 2012
posted by i_like_camels at 8:42 PM on June 13, 2012
Swing-a-way all the way. My folks got a used one at a thrift store 25+ years ago when they came to the US, and it is still going strong. Other manual can openers I have used have been a crapshoot, whether from the dollar store or a $20+ monstrosity from a fancier place.
posted by that possible maker of pork sausages at 9:43 PM on June 13, 2012
posted by that possible maker of pork sausages at 9:43 PM on June 13, 2012
Per ducktape, as with any tool, when it becomes dull or otherwise begins to work improperly is when injuries become more likely.
posted by dhartung at 11:44 PM on June 13, 2012
posted by dhartung at 11:44 PM on June 13, 2012
Keep in mind it's not how many years you've had it, it's how many cans you've opened with it.
posted by ardgedee at 4:00 AM on June 14, 2012
posted by ardgedee at 4:00 AM on June 14, 2012
The one I have looks very similar to this and it does not have a blade at all. It has a wheel and a metal hoop that pry the lid off without cutting.
posted by soelo at 8:07 AM on June 14, 2012
posted by soelo at 8:07 AM on June 14, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
Some models last longer than others, and some models have replaceable wheels, but eventually no matter what you have, that wheel will have been working through yards, if not miles, of sheet metal.
posted by ardgedee at 3:22 PM on June 13, 2012