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Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: BlueMR2 on October 31, 2017, 03:30:47 PM

Title: A good can opener?
Post by: BlueMR2 on October 31, 2017, 03:30:47 PM
Our good can open finally broke on us a couple years back.  It always worked really well, no issues whatsoever.

We then reverted to one of those smaller, harder to operate ones for a bit.  For Christmas last year though I bought my wife another bigger one, but just a cheap one.  Over the last few months we've noticed that neither of them work on cans very well at all.  It's almost like they changed and started making the cans thinner, but I suspect the can openers are just worn out (even though we don't use them much).

Any recommendations on good brands of (manual) can openers that will reliably open cans and last a long time doing it?  Looking for long term value and not necessarily the cheapest cost.
Title: Re: A good can opener?
Post by: JLee on October 31, 2017, 03:33:26 PM
https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-can-opener/
Title: Re: A good can opener?
Post by: surfhb on October 31, 2017, 03:39:43 PM
I bought one at the swap meet for a $1.    Probably will last 20 years if its not lost before then. ;)
Title: Re: A good can opener?
Post by: geekette on October 31, 2017, 04:15:50 PM
I concur with the wirecutter article - the EZ DUZ IT manual can opener which is USA made.  It's a clone of the old Swing-a-way which moved their production to China, with predictable results.
Title: Re: A good can opener?
Post by: Thinkum on October 31, 2017, 04:58:06 PM
I have only ever bought the "safe cut" type of manual can openers. Usually around $10 and they last forever if you keep them dry. This is the type: Good Cook Safe Cut (https://www.amazon.com/Safe-Opener-GoodCook-11834-Rust-Resistant/dp/B000AX13US/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8).
Title: Re: A good can opener?
Post by: Lyngi on October 31, 2017, 08:57:19 PM
I went through three or four different can openers over the last couple of years.  Then sprung for the EZ-Duz it.  It has been great!
Title: Re: A good can opener?
Post by: lizzzi on November 01, 2017, 07:35:36 AM
Thanks for this. I've been wondering why my Swing a Way was not doing the job. Just ordered a Made in USA from 'Zon.
Title: Re: A good can opener?
Post by: acroy on November 01, 2017, 08:06:03 AM
+1 for Safe Cut.

pssst: use fewer cans... the stuff in there's not so good ;)
Title: Re: A good can opener?
Post by: lizzzi on November 01, 2017, 11:26:42 AM
I don't keep a huge underground bunker filled with canned goods, but I do keep some stuff on hand for power outages and whatnot. My apartment refrigerator/freezer has not always been reliable, and I like to make sure that my dog and I can still eat if I have to throw out fridge/freezer contents.
Title: Re: A good can opener?
Post by: BlueMR2 on November 04, 2017, 01:28:31 PM
Still had some Amazon gift card dollars I hadn't used, so I just ordered the last EZ-Duz It showing in stock.  Thanks!
Title: Re: A good can opener?
Post by: hops on November 04, 2017, 02:37:17 PM
I'm not sure if OXO's quality has dipped since I bought mine years ago, but I love this big bulky one that used to be recommended for arthritics:

https://www.amazon.com/OXO-58081-SteeL-Can-Opener/dp/B00004OCMM/

It's always easy to use, even when my hand strength and dexterity are lacking. They also produce a similar-looking one that's listed for $5 less.
Title: Re: A good can opener?
Post by: topshot on November 04, 2017, 07:51:39 PM
I just picked up Walmart's version of the EZ Duz It for $10. Made in STL.
Title: Re: A good can opener?
Post by: Bracken_Joy on November 04, 2017, 08:09:42 PM
+1 to the EZ DuzIt. Only downside is the grips sometimes slid, so I glued them on. Problem solved. I went through ~4 that never lasted more than a couple years before getting this one. On year... 5? Maybe only 4, of this one, but no signs of wear or sticking or anything. And we used it a TON, minimum once daily.
Title: Re: A good can opener?
Post by: lizzzi on November 05, 2017, 06:20:47 AM
Pulled the trigger on the "Made in USA" brand on Amazon. About $15. Wow, what a difference for the better from my Swing a Way. The difference is definitely worth the price. Solid and heavy-feeling, sharp, fast...excellent. I think I'll be using this thing for years to come. Recommended.