These are the 7 best can openers that cut smoothly every time
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These can openers are reliable and will replace your boring one.
Food & Wine/Maria DeAngelis
Can openers aren’t an exciting or expensive purchase, but they are an item you want to buy once and never again, or at least for a long time. If you’ve dealt with a janky can opener, you know the importance of a quality one — one that latches on effortlessly and cuts smoothly around the entire can.
That’s why we did the research for you and found the models worth buying after evaluating each one’s design and ease of use. Our list includes options for can openers that are both functional and durable, whether you need one of the three available.
Zyliss Lock N’ Lift Can Opener
Best Overall and Manual
Pros: We love the lid lock mechanism and soft, turning handle. The top can also be retrieved with a magnet.
Cons: It’s mostly made of plastic.
The manual Zyliss can opener is our top pick because the company really nailed it. Our favorite feature is that once punctured the lid, the blades lock into place, meaning you don’t squeeze the handles tightly as you move around the can. Once you have opened the can, press the red release key to remove the blades. To remove the lid, use the magnet part of the opener to lift it out. This smartly designed model costs just $20.
Price at the time of publication: $22
Hamilton Beach Classic Chrom Heavyweight Electric Automatic Can Opener
Best Overall, Electric
Pros: It is easy to remove and clean, thanks to its consistent and efficient cutting process.
Cons: Despite its size, the opener is very light so it’s best to keep larger cans close at hand.
This Hamilton Beach model did the best in our electric can openers tests. The instructions are clear, it’s easy to notch cans into the cutting mechanism, and it’s truly hands-free (with the exception of a 28-ounce can, which our testers needed to hold to keep the can and the opener from tipping over).
The magnetic piece attaches to the top of the can. You can then pull it apart and throw it away. Plus, the magnet stops cutting automatically when the top is removed. At 10 inches tall, 5 inches wide, and 6 inches deep, it’s the largest can opener on this list, so it might not fit as easily into your utensil drawer as others.
Price at the time of publication: $27
EZ-DUZ IT Can Opener
Best Value
Pros: This can opener is simple, durable, high-quality and does the job.
Cons: It’s lacking features that other models have.
If you’re looking for a no-fuss, no-frills model, this is the can opener for you. A simple swing-style design, it’s the tried-and-true place, squeeze, and turn kind of can opener. The handle is covered in rubber for a comfortable grip, while the crank handle & blade are made of durable carbon-steel. It’s the heaviest manual can opener on our list, so it isn’t particularly gentle on the hands. That said, you can rest easy knowing you won’t need a new can opener anytime soon.
Price at the time of publication: $15
KitchenAid Multifunction Can/Bottle Openinger 8.34 Inch Black
Best with Bottle Opener
Pros: This can opener does double duty, so it is definitely worth the investment.
Cons: Both the bottle and can openers are very basic.
It’s hard to turn down a two-in-one gadget, especially when it will save room in cluttered kitchen drawers. This is why we recommend the KitchenAid bottle opener and can opener. It is easy to use and has an ergonomic design. The stainless steel manual crank mechanism opens all types of cans. There are also handles that provide comfort. It is slightly longer than other manual openers we have reviewed, but it does come with a bonus tool.
Price at the time of publication: $20
Oxo Good Grips Smooth edge Can Opener
Best Ergonomic
Pros: This manual can opener is both functional and reliable, but it’s also very gentle on your hands.
Cons: It might take some time to get used the side-wind mechanism.
Cooks with weak hands or arthritis might find it difficult to grip the can opener’s arms or turn the crank. We recommend the OXO Good Grips opener if you feel like this. The long arms of the OXO Good Grips opener are soft and cushioned. You can remove the top with no effort using the built-in tools. Plus, instead of cutting inside the upper rim of the can, this can opener cuts around the outside — so if you only need a cup of beans, you can put the top of the can back on, place it in the refrigerator, and use the rest another time.
Price at the time of publication: $26
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Korin Japanese Can Opener
Best Compact
Pros: If you’re planning a long backpacking or camping trip, this is an excellent choice.
Cons: True manual can openers require more effort than other types.
The other manual can openers in this list have gears that rotate to cut through the lid. This manual opener gives you the reins. Entirely made of sturdy steel, it won’t bend or break regardless of how much force you use to pierce the top of cans. This can opener is extremely durable and will not rust or become dull. Likewise, it’s by far the smallest, so if you’re heading out on a backpacking trip and need to bring a can opener, this is your best bet.
Price as of publication: $9
Bartelli Soft Edge 3-in-1 Ambidextrous Safety Can Opener
Best Ambidextrous
Pros: Its unique design is ideal for lefties or those who have difficulty with squeezeing.
Cons: It is not without its challenges.
Most can openers don’t work well for lefties. You have to hold the handles in your left hand and squeeze to open the can. But that’s not the case with this Bartelli can opener. Instead, you can clamp the can onto the lid with either hand and turn the blades. While holding the can in place with the non-dominant handed, the lid will lock. The handle rotates counterclockwise. Lefties will find the handle facing their body. With a bottle opener and mechanism for helping you open jars as well, it’s a great addition to your kitchen.
Price at the time of publication: $18
Our Favorite
We love the Zyliss Lock N’ Lift Can Opener It is known for its lid lock mechanism and comfortable handles. If you’re wanting an electric model, we recommend the Hamilton Beach Electric Automatic Can OpenerIt was the most efficient during our tests.
Factors to Be Considered
Type
These are the best manual can openers. The can openers have a sharp rotating blade which pierces the lid. Comfort handles are included as well as a turning knob that allows you to cut around the can. Most models are identical, but some models might cut from one side instead of the top. Some may also include bonus features, such as a bottle opener, which can be useful for lefties. We recommend that people with arthritis use an electric can opener such as our top pick. Hamilton Beach Electric Automatic Can Opener. This automatic model is very efficient and requires little effort from you. They are usually more expensive than manual models and larger in size.
Size
Even though electric can openers make life easier, they’re also more bulky than manual ones. If you don’t have the space to stand your can opener in a cupboard and would rather tuck it away in a drawer, a manual one might be your best option. A smaller model can be a smart option if you have a small can opener that you want to take with you.
Easy to Use
Many of the manual crank openers featured on this list are manual crank openers. That means you need to place the opener on a can’s ridge and squeeze it. Then turn a handle on the opener to open the container. These tend to be relatively easy to use unless you have difficulty gripping the can opener’s handles with one hand as you spin the crank with the other. An electric can opener, which is hands-free, offers the best ease of use.
Frequently Asked Question
How can I sharpen a can opener.
The blades of your can opener will become dull with repeated use. However, it’s very easy to sharpen a can opener. When you notice the blades starting to struggle, run a folded piece of aluminum foil or a piece of coarse-grade sandpaper through the can opener a few times to sharpen the blades — you’ll need another set of hands to either hold the foil/sandpaper or operate the can opener. Once this method stops working, it’s likely time to replace the blades or purchase a new can opener.
How do I clean a can opening?
To keep your can opener clean and germ-free, scrub it with dish soap after every use. Then let it dry completely in the air before you return it to its drawer. But if it starts to rust or has visible buildup, soak it in white vinegar for a few minutes and then scrub the blades with a toothbrush — do this as many times as you need to in order to get it really clean.
Are electric can openers worthwhile?
It depends on what’s important to you. If you’re looking for a way to take the possibility of human error out of opening cans and storage space isn’t an issue, then certainly. You don’t have to worry about the blades of your electric can opener getting dirty. They can be washed in the dishwasher. But if you’ve never had any gripes with a manual can opener and you like being able to tuck it away in a drawer, you don’t need to make the switch.
Our Expertise
Alyssa Sybertz is an experienced food writer and recipe developer who covers anything and everything you may find in your kitchen for Food & Wine. This article was written by Sybertz to find the best can openers for canned food.
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You can read the original article here Food & Wine.