Tin openers - made to fail?

Rosa_Damascena

casper_gutman said:

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!!

I have tried both ways, and left-handed - nada. I haven't yet brought myself to throw them away yet but its likely to be a while before I need to open a tin again.

cerebus

I use the cheapo ikea ones , I throw it in the dishwasher to keep it clean and it's lasted years so far 

Keeping tin openers clean and rust free will increase the longevity of them 

Rosa_Damascena

They are cheap enough to replace but it feels wasteful, especially if the problem has stemmed from my failure to maintain a simple mechanism.

jvjack

Snap.  I tried you tube vids to repair. New one bought today £1.75.
Took 10 mins to work out it has to sit on top and cuts side of tin mentioned earlier. 

Rosa_Damascena

Mine was £1.50 from Asda (cheapest version was just 60p). It took my small shop to just over £5 so I got a free spin of the wheel on the app - which put £1 back into my cashpot. So it was a happy ending albeit a highly wasteful one.

jvjack

Finally opened my tin of peas with new can opener. Sort of review. 
Because it cuts the side of tin some juice dribbled out and that was on flat surface so that will always happen with that tin of peas. I often use only half a tin then cover with foil and put in fridge. The top fits niceley back on top so no need for foil. 
Reason returned to thread was just read can openers are mostly set up for right handers. Having a think reading about it but notice with this one i got you can use either hand to turn.

Emmia

jvjack said:

Finally opened my tin of peas with new can opener. Sort of review. 
Because it cuts the side of tin some juice dribbled out and that was on flat surface so that will always happen with that tin of peas. I often use only half a tin then cover with foil and put in fridge. The top fits niceley back on top so no need for foil. 
Reason returned to thread was just read can openers are mostly set up for right handers. Having a think reading about it but notice with this one i got you can use either hand to turn.

You know it's a bit of a food hygiene risk to keep open cans of food in the fridge? You should always decant the remaining portions into a separate container. 

Rosa_Damascena

Emmia said:

jvjack said:

Finally opened my tin of peas with new can opener. Sort of review. 
Because it cuts the side of tin some juice dribbled out and that was on flat surface so that will always happen with that tin of peas. I often use only half a tin then cover with foil and put in fridge. The top fits niceley back on top so no need for foil. 
Reason returned to thread was just read can openers are mostly set up for right handers. Having a think reading about it but notice with this one i got you can use either hand to turn.

You know it's a bit of a food hygiene risk to keep open cans of food in the fridge? You should always decant the remaining portions into a separate container. 

Botulism myth - although it can affect the taste of the product. I would recommend decanting purely because tins are so unsightly!

pallyman

I have manual tin openers in the drawer for backup but use a electric one,not long replaced my old one which i had 8 or 9yrs,Bought a Asda one to replace it & its great for £8 but do not expect it will last as long,but fingers crossed.

jvjack

9 years is good. My posh manual one lasted till last month maybe 3 years 
emmia I didnt ever think about it. Google says about oxidation of the tin once openned but i think 2 days is ok