Tin openers - made to fail?

Megaross

I use my swiss army knife to open cans.

Didn't own a tin opener when I bought my first place, 5 years and a house move later I'm still using it. I can open a can in maybe 10 seconds using it, not through trying it's just such second nature now.

I cook a lot and being a bloke who likes a bit of decent kit I've got a kitchen stocked with all sorts of gadgets, high end knives and pans and all sorts but I maintain that the swiss army knife does the best tin opener you can get. 

DiamondLil

I use this one - easy to use even for arthritic hands.

https://www.josephjoseph.com/products/can-do-tin-opener-green

Rodders53

Only buy tins with ring pulls?

https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/kitchen-utensils/article/best-tin-openers-argc35P9xUCs may be worth a look and see what 'grabs your fancy'?

We probably only use our electric approx 1-2x a week for baked beans if not ring pull cans and tomatoes (chopped/plum) also if not ring pull.  Plus the rare corned beef that often won't open via the key.  My wife can't do manual can openers due to grip and pain issues so no expense spared, here.   (Probably around £20 today?)

Slinky

Rodders53 said:

Only buy tins with ring pulls?

Which is ok until the ring pull parts company with the lid as it did on a tin of Branston beans last night. Right faff getting the tin opener to cut that one open as the tops aren't made to be cut with an opener.

Rosa_Damascena

@DiamondLil - the only way I am buying that is if I see it in a chazzer. 

@Rodders53 - interesting comparator table, The josephjoseph one recommended by @DiamondLil comes out on top!

I'm not infirm, so an ordinary one will do for me. First step is to set some WD40 on it, which I will do before I next open a tin (doesn't happen very often in my home).

Brie

or if you're completely bonkers.....

3 Awesome Ways to Open a Can With NO Can Opener! - YouTube

CliveOfIndia

Slinky said:

Rodders53 said:

Only buy tins with ring pulls?

Which is ok until the ring pull parts company with the lid as it did on a tin of Branston beans last night. Right faff getting the tin opener to cut that one open as the tops aren't made to be cut with an opener.

When that happens I usually turn it over and use a tin-opener on the bottom.  Which is OK unless the top has been cracked open just enough to let the juice spill out - in which case do it over a plate.

Rosa_Damascena

On further inspection they are a little grimy:

The lowest one in the picture has never worked properly (doesn't seem to catch) but the other 2 have. Although the top one has always been hard work.

Rosa_Damascena

Brie said:

or if you're completely bonkers.....

3 Awesome Ways to Open a Can With NO Can Opener! - YouTube

Well that is 3 minutes of my life I am not going to get back! Bonkers is an understatement

casper_gutman

Is it possible that the can opener that's never worked properly was actually designed to work the other way round? I used to have one that cut around the can just below the crimped edge of the lid, rather than cutting the lid just inside the crimp ring, if that makes sense. You'd have to hold the opener flat instead of vertically.

We now have an OXO Good Grips one that's been going strong for about 12 years now. Hope I haven't just jinxed it!!