Why can't there be a good can opener ?

[Mark Walberg]

The can openers today all suck as far as I can tell.
I looked on the net and the Oxo one was advised.
It sucks. It's fiddly.
The others I've tried suck worse.
Why can't there be a simple can opener that always works ?
Decades ago, I used to have a simple steel one that worked perfect. I don't know where it went.

I suppose I could make one if I had to, but it would be really tedious.

Not enough money on can openers to make one that really works well, I guess.

Has anyone found a good one?

[Mabouya]

Swing-a-Way compact has always been good enough for me.

[Too Tall]

second that swing away. Had one for decades.

If you make one do this:

[Mark Kelly]

Why can't there be a simple can opener that always works ?

Because the can manufacturers would have to hold to a very, very tight standard for that to work.

The seam width depends on the gauge of the material, its surface treatments, the number of folds and the compression of the seamer which must perform its duties whilst whizzing around at impossible speeds: 2000 cans per minute is not uncommon. Put all of that together and there are inevitably small variations between cans and these can (!) cause an opener which grips and cuts adequately on one can to either slip (too thin) or not cut (too thick) on another.

FWIW I used to have to do the QC on a canning line including evaluating seam fold pattern and integrity. I have avoided working on packaging ever since. I'll make it, you can package it.

[thollandpe]

+1 on the Swing Away, but the cabinet-mounted model that actually swings away.

And a real one, not new but used. It took me a while at yard sales and combing the eBizzle but I found a good one.

[ides1056]

I bought one of these at Zabar's in NYC years ago. I have not found anything that compares:

https://www.wmf.com/en/tin-opener-tin-up.html

[j44ke]

We have an old Kuhn Rikon opener. All stainless steel. Cuts the top off rather than cutting out the lid. Works very well, even on dented or variable lipped cans. Looks like this:



They don't make those any longer for some reason. Now Kuhn Rikon's version is mostly plastic. We bought one anyway, and it works well but doesn't have the same solid tool feel.

[72gmc]

We’re experiencing the same anguish. Can’t decide if the villain is Big Opener or Big Can.

[ides1056]

We have an old Kuhn Rikon opener. All stainless steel. Cuts the top off rather than cutting out the lid. Works very well, even on dented or variable lipped cans. Looks like this:



They don't make those any longer for some reason. Now Kuhn Rikon's version is mostly plastic. We bought one anyway, and it works well but doesn't have the same solid tool feel.

The WMF is the same design: cuts the top off. So you can the squash the can with ease. Stainless.

[zachateseverything]

I have a chefmate branded can opener that works like the Kuhn above. 15 years of use and I have yet to find a can it struggled with.

[jimcav]

Hmm, I guess I don't open enough cans, but our hand-held opener works fine--mostly refried beans and then various types of canned tomato products and beans. no sharp edge, works every time. has black plastic handles--currently in the upper DW rack or I'd be able to say what brand it actually is--I think kitchen aid or Oxo.

[sk_tle]

Why can't there be a simple can opener that always works ?

Probably because there are no need for them anymore since all cans nowadays come with that easy opening similar to soda/beer cans. There is just no market for it anymore.

[thollandpe]

...since all cans nowadays come with that easy opening similar to soda/beer cans.

Not the cans that matter, smartypants.

[mnoble485]

31D30EFF-0AB1-40E0-9345-CEE76A87BC2A.jpeg

Growing up on Army Posts around the world we used to think K-Rations were the neatest thing. If you didn’t learn early on how to use one of these you were left hungry. It was a rite of passage.

Mike

[Tom]

I learn a lot here. To think all my life I thought some cans you had to work the can opener a little to get the top off.

[sk_tle]

Not the cans that matter, smartypants.

I guess it is a third world only thing as I haven't seen a can like that in the last decade or so. My swiss army knife isn't perfect for that but its can opener still does the job for the once every other year faulty easy opening one. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[charliedid]

Amen

I had a fiddly OXO one that I tossed in the can after slicing my finger open on Saturday.

Following.

The can openers today all suck as far as I can tell.
I looked on the net and the Oxo one was advised.
It sucks. It's fiddly.
The others I've tried suck worse.
Why can't there be a simple can opener that always works ?
Decades ago, I used to have a simple steel one that worked perfect. I don't know where it went.

I suppose I could make one if I had to, but it would be really tedious.

Not enough money on can openers to make one that really works well, I guess.

Has anyone found a good one?

[jimcav]

Confirmed mine is Oxo. We’ve had it for years and it still works fine

[pomole]

Ooh i like this topic. We have been on a quest for the perfect can opener at my home. Swingaway is the gold standard but when ours was somehow damaged we strayed. Many handsome replacements were tried but none were durable or functional enough to meet our exacting standards like the Swingaway. We finally landed on the cleverly named "Made In USA Can Opener" which is basically a Swingaway clone but appeals to our love of bald eagles, freedom, and democracy.

Search for it online and click buy it now.

[Mabouya]

Ooh i like this topic. We have been on a quest for the perfect can opener at my home. Swingaway is the gold standard but when ours was somehow damaged we strayed. Many handsome replacements were tried but none were durable or functional enough to meet our exacting standards like the Swingaway. We finally landed on the cleverly named "Made In USA Can Opener" which is basically a Swingaway clone but appeals to our love of bald eagles, freedom, and democracy.

Search for it online and click buy it now.

You missed the Ez-Duz-It opener:

(I never realized that can opener manufacturers were such a jingoistic bunch in their marketing.)