On Thanksgiving day I emerged from the kitchen to make an important announcement. Actually, it was more of an ecstatic cheer. I have found The One! You see, ever since I parted with my old, classic can opener (after a decade of service it was warped and rusted), I have had a surprisingly difficult time finding a good replacement.
Having said goodbye to the basic can opener, I found some of the newer designs rather enticing. Alas, the ones I tried were ineffective, uncomfortable to hold, or cheaply made (even when decidedly not cheap in price). Fortunately, I don't cook with many canned foods, anyway (thanks, BPA!), but no kitchen should be without a reliable can opener.
I had pretty much given up on finding a can opener I liked until last week, when a lackluster homemade pumpkin puree (I had the same problem as this reader) led to an emergency purchase of canned pumpkin – and the decision to test one more model: the Fissler Magic Smooth-Edge Can Opener.
I had tried a similar model from another manufacturer and found it unnecessarily complicated and bulky. Fortunately, my experience with the Fissler was just the opposite. Consisting of a single compact handle, it's designed to remove the seal from the edge of the can, creating a lid out of the top. Two advantages: the opener doesn't touch the contents, and it's easier to store any leftovers in the fridge.
It has a nice feel; the stainless steel handle is sleek and sturdy and there aren't any extraneous parts. There's a little instruction sheet to guide you through the first use, but it's really quite simple. The opener works swiftly and fluidly and creates smooth lid without jagged edges or filings. It's really the most elegant can opener I have ever used. What a happy Thanksgiving surprise!
At around $30 this isn't cheap, but it seems like a well-made investment for the long term. Have you used the Fissler Magic Smooth-Edge Can Opener? What did you think?
• More information: Fissler USA – Where to Buy
Apartment Therapy Media makes every effort to test and review products fairly and transparently. The views expressed in this review are the personal views of the reviewer and this particular product review was not sponsored or paid for in any way by the manufacturer or an agent working on their behalf. However, the manufacturer did give us the product for testing and review purposes.
(Image: Emily Ho)
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I use a can opener that does the same thing, but is admittedly much bulkier. I like the slim look of this one... too bad there's no reason to replace the one I have.
Sadly the link isn't working for me :(
That's great! My parents have had the same old metal can opener as long as I can remember and it's always worked just fine. But in my first apartment, we ended up with 4 different hand openers, none of which worked worth a darn. So I got an electric can opener for my birthday a year back and I love it.
IKEA sells a plastic can opener that gives a smooth edge. It works well. It's $2/$3 in the kitchen gadget section.
If the link doesn't work just try www.fisslerusa.com
Good stuff there.
I have this can opener- it's THE BEST and really well made. The best part is that you can reuse the lid on the can afterwards. We had one of those Ikea can openers before but it lasted us a month before breaking.
Perfect timing! I really need a new can opener and had no idea where to start. After checking out the reviews on Amazon, I am sold.
I have one of these and was shocked at first at how easy it really was! It made a clean non-sharp edge, and the top can be put right back on to help preserve the contents in the fridge. I also love the hook to hang it from. Very pleased with all things Fissler!
Well played Fissler, well played.
We got this for a wedding present - it's great! One note of caution - our house sitter couldn't figure out how to use it, and so when hungry instead of eating the can of chilli I left for her, so be sure to tell strangers how to use it, if they might have to...
@pietrastella I'm not sure if you are suggesting that this is not a real review? I assure you that (as noted at the end of the post) although I was given the can opener for review, the opinions are my own. If the review sounds overly enthusiastic, it's a reflection of my excitement and relief after dealing with so many frustrating can openers!
@lemonadefish Great point. The can opener isn't necessarily intuitive at first, so I'll keep the guide in the utensil drawer for the benefit of any future house sitters!