5.27.2009

Can't Openers

or: They Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To

Growing up, it seems like we always had the same stalwart set of kitchen gadgets. I'm fairly certain that further inspection of my mom's current kitchen would reveal many of these decades-old tools still residing in her drawers. Kristen and I haven't been quite so lucky. In 5 years of marriage, we have already gone through 3 can openers. With all the advances in technology these days, it seems like a can opener is something we should have perfected by now (or perhaps modern technology has allowed companies to perfect how to build things that will break immediately after their warranty expires). Here's a quick overview of our can opener history:

KitchenAid
We received our first can opener as a wedding gift. A brand known for quality, this one worked without a hitch for a few of years until, without warning, it started neglecting to cut all the way through the metal on opposite ends of the lid, leaving it loose but still very much attached.



Michael Graves
When choosing a replacement can opener, we unwittingly fell into the old form vs. function conundrum. This one was sure nice to look at, but struggled with its lone task for only about a month before it started to spin out, failing to even cut the can at all.




Farberware
Frustrated by our ongoing bad luck, Kristen picked this one out because it was the cheapest one at the store, using the logic that if it was eventually going to break, we might as well spend as little money on it as possible. Inevitably, I was attempting to open a can of spaghetti sauce a few weeks ago when the plastic knob cracked, rendering it useless.

So in our exasperation we turn to you, our loyal readers, to help us avoid wasting our money on another shoddy kitchen gadget. If you have found a particular brand that works well and has lasted for a reasonable amount of time, please let us know. Or, if you have had an experience similar to ours, feel free to vent.

7 comments:

Christie said...

I had bad luck with the pampered chef one & would not reccomend it. I've had the OXO good grips one (it retails for around $13) for several years now and have been pleased so far...

cam-ron said...

We too have struggled through can openers, the pampered chef one sucks and so does the kitchenaid ones. We finally found a completely metal, cheap one at Walmart and that one has worked like a dream.

Hali said...

We did a trade on gifts with Scott and Lari when we got married. They took our 64 ounce water bottle and we took there electric hand held can opener. It sits on a charger and is ready when needed, although if it isn't charged it doesn't work (obviously) but after 5 years it is still working just as well.
Brand name: Black and Decker

robmba said...

Like Christie, we have an OXO brand can opener. We've had it since we've been married (that's 10 years), and it's never had a problem.

ScottBoomer said...

This has got to be the lamest post you have ever done. You should be ashamed of your self.
I expect much better material from you.

Dave said...

Hey, they can't all be The Compound. And this is coming from the person that recently did a poll about rubber duckies?

Erika said...

I don't know how long it will last, but the one we have is fairly cheap and I love it. So far it's been great. The brand is Good Cook, I found it at Walmart. I like it because it doesn't give you jagged edges, so I no longer cut myself. Go here: http://www.alpharubicon.com/prepinfo/canopenermamabear.htm