Does anyone own this kitchen gadget? It's a can opener from Rösle, and it's not new, but we recently used it at a friend's house and loved it (as much as one can love a can opener). In fact, it's so streamlined and nifty that we stared for 15 minutes, sure it was a can opener but with no idea how to use it. Here's the deal...
The Coolest, Simplest Can Opener We've Seen
It's smaller than a traditional can opener, and while it has a handle that you wind (our tip that it was, in fact, the can opener), it doesn't have the normal sharp wheels that overlap to grip and cut the top of a can. There's no clamping and listening for the "click" that lets you know the blade has popped the surface.
Instead, there's a little metal lip that unseals the top of the can from the outside edge. It's quiet and safe and so civilized. When you're finished, you just lift off the top of the can—no sharp edges.
When we asked our friend how she found it, she said she walked into a kitchen store and asked the salesperson what his favorite gadget was in the whole place. He said this can opener, and she bought it.
• Rösle Can Opener, $37 from Williams-Sonoma
If you are trying to declutter, this may be the last thing you need. But if you're stocking a new kitchen (especially one with accident-prone cooks) or maybe looking for a cool gift, we'd highly recommend this can opener.
Related: Hot or Not? Can Colander/Strainer
(Image: Williams-Sonoma)
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Kuhn-Rikon also make some pretty cool gadgets. Check out: http://kuhnrikon.com/products/tools/tools.php3?id=376.
view sunnygrrl's profile
Pampered Chef has one that works in the same way. It's not as small but it is $20 cheaper.
http://www.pamperedchef.com/our_products/catalog/product.jsp?productId=603&categoryCode=CE
view Merry123's profile
check out the garlic press from WMFhttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006H4BKM
LOVE it. Kuhn_Rikon makes a gadget to get corn kernels out to die for.
I have a whole bunch of gadgets from WMF and love them.
The above brands mentioned are all german - GERMAN engineeing ROCKS
view Anusha73's profile
I owned the OXO version of this. Works really nice, once you figure it out! For $19.99:
http://www.oxo.com/OA_HTML/xxoxo_ibeCCtpOXOPrdDtl.jsp?section=10053&item=48106&minisite=10024&respid=53057&morpheus_PROD=usm-7qlgJf_B8Ayu5MY60rQB:S&morpheus_PROD_pses=morpheus_PROD%3Dusm-7qlgJf_B8Ayu5MY60rQB%253AS%7E
view Cbina's profile
Is this one of those called safety can openers? I've been considering buying one but don't feel like shelling out $37...
There's one on Amazon.com for $9.99 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VWHCQW), rated 4.5 stars out of 5...
view mk710's profile
Hmmm I am always shoving my ancient gigantic can opener around my one kitchen drawer. This COULD be a gadget for downsizing.
view shayna's profile
If you read the user reviews on the William-Sonoma website, the majority of the reviewers indicate the opener stops functioning properly after approximately one year of use. This may not be a wise investment.
view hobsy's profile
I own this can opener - I've had it for almost 3 years and it is still working great! LOVE IT!
view sharkies's profile
I own this can opener too -- I got it as a wedding gift 2 1/2 years ago. I think it's great. It works well, is easy to clean and doesn't take up much space in my gadget drawer.
view ottan's profile
I have a Kuhn-Rikon can opener that operates the same way and it's wonderful. It opens any size or shape cans easily and never touches the food. The Kuhn-Rikon model is cheaper than the Rosle one and the reviews on Amazon are great. The more Kuhn-Rikon gadgets I use (I have their garlic press, pressure cooker, and the can opener) the more they impress me.
view bubble's profile
I have one too, 3 years now. I think it's terrific! It takes a bit to get used to, but then it's a great bit of minimalist kitchen kit.
view jasonpaulso's profile
I have had this can opener for a couple of years now and have since bought one for my mother and mother-in-law. Not only is it beautiful, it does an amazing job. I'm pretty sure it was a Cooks Illustrated top pick.
view OregonLady's profile
I also have the Oxo version. Works well, costs less.
view heather77's profile
Remember! Because this cuts the outside of the can, rather than the inside, you can't use this can opener on tuna. It doesn't cut in a way that lets you use the top to press down on the tuna to drain the liquids out of the can
view timferlito's profile
have it and love it. i've had it for about 3 years. mine works fine on most cans.
view mascarah's profile
I have the dollar-ninety nine ikea version that works great: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10083486
view Jose A's profile
I bought this can opener about a year and a half ago. Works quite well, definitely worth the money...and, Rösle offers a lifetime warranty. If it breaks, they will replace it. That makes it worth the money right there. One thing: doesn't work well on Hispanic style cans (sweetened condensed milk, etc.) it makes little burrs and doesn't open the can.
view harryhoody's profile
love these kinds of openers. i've had the orbi for over 4 years works great and is super small:
http://www.amazon.com/Good-Cook-Orbi-SafeCut-Opener/dp/B001CCZN1Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1244578616&sr=8-1
view procrastikate's profile
I've had this opener for some years and really like it. The other great thing about it? It does not produce a sharp edge on the lid like the conventional can opener does.
view lolax's profile