Electric can openers are useful to people with arthritic or weak hands, or who just need to open a lot of cans every day. Left-handed cooks might find it easier to get an electric opener than to find a manual left-handed opener.
Prices range from under $20 to over $40. Warranties are typically one year. Popular brands include Black & Decker (Gizmo, Spacemaker), Hamilton Beach, Presto, Cuisinart, General Electric, Krups (Open Master), Kitchenaid, Rival, West Bend, Toastmaster, Proctor Silex and Chefmate. An example of a heavy-duty commercial can opener brand is Edlund.
Side-opening Versus Top-opening Electric Can Openers
Cans are opened by cutting into the top of the lid, or into the side of the can below the lid. Cutting into the side means:
- The lid won't fall into the can.
- Pop-top (ring-pull) cans can be opened. Pop-tops can be difficult for people with weak hands.
- The blade doesn't touch the food as much.
- Sauce is more likely to spill out of the can as the can is shorter (the rim of the lid is removed).
- It is possible for the opener to cut the can's label and dump a strip of paper into the can.
Counter-top Electric Can Openers
Counter-top models are popular, their main drawback being that some counter space is taken up.
The can opener should be tall enough for large cans. Many are 9 to 10 inches tall, tall enough to fit cans 7 inches high. Heavy can openers (3 to 4 pounds) are more stable and better able to handle large cans without tipping over. Extra-large cans may need to be supported by hand and/or hung over the side of the counter.
Under-cabinet Electric Can Openers
Under-cabinet can openers save on counter space. However if the opener fails to latch on to the can, the can has a long way to fall.
The main design issue is that the cabinet can get in the way:
- The lever arm needs sufficient clearance when raised to load a can, otherwise it will be blocked by the cabinet.
- Removing the lever arm to clean the cutter requires even more clearance.
- Spacer blocks or shims are often provided to create enough clearance, but they aren't elegant.
- Some models need to be mounted close to the edge so that the lever arm sticks out over the edge and clears the cabinet entirely when lifted. The cabinet door might need to be opened to provide enough space.
Handheld Electric Can Openers: Corded, Cordless or Rechargeable
Handheld electric can openers can be stored in a drawer. And as long as they are powerful enough, there is no limit to the size or weight of the can that can be opened. There is no problem with the can falling off or jerking and spilling.
Cordless openers can even be taken on camping trips, but are more likely to be under-powered compared to corded openers. Unlike corded openers, many have hands-off operation, walking around the rim of the can under its own power. However they can become jammed to the can if the batteries run out halfway.
Rechargeable openers use buit-in Li-ion or Ni-Cad batteries. These are often more powerful than openers that use AA batteries. However the batteries won't last forever and replacement batteries can be hard to fine.
How to Choose an Electric Can Opener
An electric can opener should obviously be able to open cans. Other considerations are:
- Removable cutter arm for easy washing. Unfortunately some are too easily removed, dropping off unexpectedly when loading or unloading the can.
- Replaceable cutter arm. No need to get a new opener when the cutter becomes blunt. Not all manufacturers sell replacements.
- Hands-off operation. Some openers need the lever arm to be manually pressed down as the can is opened.
- Automatic stop. The opener automatically switches off after the can is opened. However some people might prefer a manual stop, leaving the lid connected to the can by a strip of metal.
- Smooth operation. No jerking and spilling, especially openers that use a magnet to lift the cover.
- Easy positioning and locking of the can. The view on some models is blocked, making it hard to position the can.
The Best Electric Can Opener
For most kitchens, a counter-top electric can opener is the safe choice. There are no mounting issues and they are less likely to be under-powered.
However there is no guarantee that any type of can opener will be effective. Consumer reviews on online shopping websites such as Amazon often complain about difficulties in loading cans, and can openers that just don't work, even with famous brand names. The Internet should be searched for consumer reviews of specific models.
The US Department of Agriculture has a document on Food Safety and Food Security, which includes a section on canned food.
Yuen Kit Mun - Kit Mun is a self-confessed information junkie, reading an average of a book a week over the past two decades. His growing Internet ...
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