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How to Choose and Buy a Can Opener

Here are some hints and tips on some of the things to consider when choosing and buying a can opener:

Electric or Mechanical?

There are two types of can opener, the run of the mill mechanical can opener, and the stand alone electric can opener.

Electrical can openers are particularly useful and will save time around the kitchen. They are also ideal for anyone who is elderly or infirm as they will automatically open then tin for you.

Many electrical tin openers are around 7 inches tall and this means they can be left tidily on the kitchen work surface. This not only frees up room in that cluttered cutlery drawer but also means that your can opener is always out and ready for action.

Some models of electric can opener also have a built-in knife sharpener and/or bottle opener, so it’s worth considering buying one of these as they are great value for money and mean that you can cut down on the amount of kitchen gadgets that you need to buy.

Can Size

It’s wise to make sure that the opener is ready to tackle all sizes of cans from small cans of tuna to large dog food tins. Check the product description of any model that you are considering to make sure that it’s powerful enough to meet your needs.

Other Features

• Soft Grip Handle: Try to choose a can opener with an ergonomically designed soft-grip handle for comfort and to help opening tins feel less like a chore.
• Auto-Start: It’s useful to have a can opener that has an auto start feature for convenience
• Magnetic Lid Holder: Many models of electric can opener have a magnetic lid holder, which grips onto the lid meaning that it won’t fall on to your work surface or kitchen floor. This helps to cut down on mess, particularly when you’re opening tins of soup or baked beans.
• Removable Blade: For hygiene reasons, try to choose a can opener with a removable blade. You wouldn’t want to open a tin of soup with the same dirty blade that just opened a tin of pet food. A removable blade makes your can opener easy to clean and maintain.

Warranty

Before you buy a can opener, check the terms of the manufacturer’s warranty to make sure that you are happy with it. Guarantee lengths can vary from model to model.

Price

Decide how much you are willing to pay for your can opener before shopping and try to stick to your budget.

Standard can openers can be bought for as little as £5, but you will get what you pay for. If you decide to buy an electrical free-standing can opener with magnetic lid holder and automatic start, you can expect to pay around £15, but bear in mind that this isn’t unreasonable for an appliance that you are likely to use on a daily basis.

Extras

Some can openers may come with extras such as a replacement blade or with batteries included. Check the product descriptions when you are choosing your can opener to see whether or not any extra items are included as these can provide added value.

Further Information

If you want to buy a can opener, you can find out more about some of the top online suppliers, including details of their delivery times and postage and packaging costs, in our Where to Buy section.

You can find out about specific brands and models of can opener in our Brands and Top Models sections.

You can learn more about other types of kitchen appliance in our Types section.