Buying guide for best electric can openers

An electric can opener can be more than a simple plug-and-play appliance. Some electric can openers can also sharpen knives, open bottles, and cut bags, but that’s not all.

Let’s say you have a recipe that calls for eight ounces of tomato sauce. All you have are 16-ounce cans. Some can openers will not only cut the can open, but they will also create a cut that turns the top of the can into a safe-to-use lid, allowing you to store the rest of your tomato sauce for later.

An electric can opener is also a safety device. Have you ever removed a jagged lid from a can after grinding away at it with a hand-held can opener? Jagged lids aren’t particularly safe to handle. An electric can opener minimizes your exposure to jagged lids.

Some electric can openers are limited to a few standard can sizes; others are able to handle exceptionally large or small cans.

Questions to ask before you buy an electric can opener

Selecting the right can opener for your household might seem like a simple task, but there are a few questions to ask yourself before you buy one.

Where would you like to place your can opener?

There are two choices with electric can openers: you could mount the appliance under a countertop, or you could leave it out as a freestanding unit on your countertop. Under-the-counter can openers save space, but unless you have the type that folds out from underneath its perch, you may be restricted to cans of a certain height due to clearance issues. Freestanding can openers offer the user the freedom to place them anywhere they want, but they can get lost among other appliances or wind up in the back of a kitchen pantry or closet.

Do you want a can opener that can perform other tasks as well?

Some electric can openers can also sharpen knives, open bags, and remove caps from bottles.

What type of lid removal do you prefer?

Many electric can openers use a magnet that grabs the lid of the can being cut and removes it once the job is done. That lid can be jagged in nature, which makes it another piece for the recycling bin. A far more useful option is a smooth-edge can opener that cuts the lid in such a way that the lid can snap back onto the can, allowing it to seal up leftovers and unused contents.

Do you want a plug-in can opener or a battery-operated can opener?

Electric can openers have a motor that allows the appliance to rotate and cut the can. But not all can openers need to be plugged into a wall. A wide range of portable can openers run on battery power. If you choose a battery-operated can opener, make sure you have plenty of spare batteries on hand.

Do you want a can opener that can open extra-tall cans?

If you tend to buy lots of tall cans, check the clearance measurement from the magnet that holds the lid in place to the base. If that number is 10 inches, for example, you may have trouble opening cans taller than 10 inches. Yes, you could try positioning the can opener on the edge of the counter, allowing the can to hang over the side. But the end result could be messy and counterproductive.

Measuring the dimensions of a can opener is part of our testing process. A compact model may fit in the hand or mount under a kitchen cabinet, which is convenient for consumers with limited storage or counter space.

We test how easy or difficult an electric can opener is to clean. We disassemble the components, use cleaning tools like sponges and brushes to remove debris, and put the parts back together to evaluate the task.

We consider extra features that may appeal to consumers. Some models have built-in bottle openers, bag cutters, and knife sharpeners for accomplishing multiple tasks with one small appliance.

For a can opener with a lid magnet, we check its strength and determine if it provides a reliable grip that prevents the lid from falling back into the can contents.

A warranty is a consideration of our testing. Some manufacturers guarantee their products for varying time periods, which protects consumers against malfunctions and defects.

In our testing, we evaluate how well each electric can opener cuts. We want to know if jagged edges are left behind, which can be dangerous if not handled and disposed of with care.

Some electric can openers come in a choice of colors. This is an important consideration for shoppers who like to match their kitchen appliances.

Measuring the dimensions of a can opener is part of our testing process. A compact model may fit in the hand or mount under a kitchen cabinet, which is convenient for consumers with limited storage or counter space.

Design is a factor in our testing. A contemporary look is more likely to appeal to the shopper who plans to display the appliance in a highly visible countertop space.

We measure the clearance of each can opener we test. The distance, which is measured in inches, makes a difference for consumers who need a model that can fit tall cans.

Benefits of electric can openers

Obviously, the top benefit of an electric can opener is the ability for a cook to safely peel open the aluminum top of a can. This handy appliance will help keep your digits intact! Furthermore, it’s a handy tool when you need to open a can in a hurry. Perhaps your dog missed his mealtime and is ravenously hungry or you need to add a canned ingredient to your dinner at the last minute.

Topping the list, though, is the fact that an electric can opener is a lifesaver for those with arthritic hands – or anyone with an injury to their fingers or hands, for that matter. The American Arthritis Association suggests anyone with such a debilitating condition trade in their manual opener for an electric one.

If you have young people in your home that like to cook, an investment in an electric can opener is a great safety precaution. The same goes for visually impaired folks who run the risk of cutting their hands on a manually opened can’s jagged edges.

Tips for keeping your electric can opener clean

The best way to maintain your electric can opener is to keep it clean. Here are some tips.

• Never immerse your electric can opener in water, and be sure to unplug it before cleaning it.

• Between uses, use warm soapy water and a sponge to clean your unplugged can opener.

• Occasionally take off your can opener’s cutting wheel and lid holder. Clean these parts by soaking them in hot, sudsy water.

• Use a toothbrush and warm soapy water to remove food that gets caked onto your can opener.

Can opener prices

Under $20

For this budget price, there are multiple can openers you can choose from, including battery-operated models that are placed on top of the can for easy opening. Beyond the basic, magnet-based can opener, you can also find some models that are extra-tall and able to open large cans as well as small ones.

In addition, many models in this price range have knife-sharpening capabilities. That said, a can opener is not the recommended sharpening method for high-end chef’s knives and paring knives.

Under $50

As we go up in price, can opener features stay about the same, but you will find some under-the-counter models. Under-the-counter can openers sit in a nifty drawer beneath your cabinet. The drawer folds open when it’s time to use the can opener. The cord also tucks away in the cabinet.

Two issues to consider with under-the-counter can openers are convenience and clearance. It’s nice to have a can opener that hides out of the way, but these fixed devices aren’t portable, so wherever you install the can opener is where it stays. Furthermore, they usually have little space from top to bottom and can only accommodate smaller cans.

Food can be heated in its can, but the lid must be removed. Food cans should never be placed in a microwave for heating. Instead, the can should be placed in simmering hot water with the top covered in aluminum foil.

FAQ

Q. When was the first electric can opener developed?
A. The first patent granted for an electric can opener was in 1932 to Preston West.

Q. What are the downsides of sharpening knives with an electric can opener.
A. Knife sharpeners on even the best can openers tend to be aggressive in their approach and remove too much metal from the blade, thereby shortening the lifespan of the knife.

Q. In addition to knife sharpening, what else can an electric can opener do?
A. A number of newer can opener models can also act as plastic bag cutters and bottle openers.