It’s hard to imagine a cooking session without canned goods. And that, by default, makes a can opener an integral part of the kitchen. Nowadays, you cannot go by without seeing at least one, and if not, multiple can openers in a commercial kitchen.
The same stands true for normal kitchens as well. Minus the magnitude of the total quantity, of course. And when you’re using such products for personal needs, you always have to factor in the longevity before purchasing.
So, that brings up an important question – how long should can opener last? And which kind of openers would provide an impressive service for a prolonged period? Well, let’s find out.
Which Requirements Are Important For Long Lifespan Of Can Opener?
Here’s a brief overview of all the requirements important enough to influence the lifespan of a can opener:
Sturdy Construction
The durability of a can opener primarily depends on the construction of the opener. If it’s manufactured from top-of-the-line materials, it’ll surely last much longer than the other ones. The opposite stands true if a can opener has poor build quality. If a can opener is made from flimsy steel, it’ll rust pretty much immediately. Eventually, the rusting issues would make the steel fragile from within. And the opener would fall apart at the slightest inconvenience.
Ease Of Cleaning
There are so many types of can openers out in the market. And not all of them function similarly either. But all of them do need appropriate cleaning and overall maintenance.
So, which can opener do you think would last longer? The one with zero complex features or the one you can’t even touch without professional guidance? Of course, the first one.
Then again, just because an opener has complex features, doesn’t mean it isn’t any good. Eventually, it all boils down to this question – can you clean the opener thoroughly if any sauce or mayonnaise accidentally gets inside?
If the answer is yes, then that’s the opener you should go for if you’re prioritizing longevity.
Brand Value
The better the brand, the better the product! The brand should have a good reputation among the consumers regarding the openers.
Because even advertisements may lie sometimes, but the actual users hardly would. So, in order to get a durable opener, you should always listen in on the opinions of the consumers themselves.
Which Kinds Of Can Opener Last Long?
From electric to manual, there are all sorts of can openers out there. However, these two types seem to last longer due to their design.
1. Lever-Type Can Opener
The lever-type can openers are super sturdy in terms of construction. They’re also a little bit primitive, but they’re the absolute best when it comes to durability.
They require manual operation and work mainly via a big and daunting curved blade. The blade usually has a high HRC count and, thus, is super sharp and durable. Plus, the hilt area utilizes thick wood panels, and it’s pretty much impossible for them to get damaged.
2. Electric Can Opener
Nowadays, everyone uses electric can openers in both commercial and household kitchens. They’re slightly costlier than the manual ones, but they also last pretty long.
With electric can openers, you have to stay cautious about not exposing the electric part to moisture. Other than that, there’s no extra hassle in operating them. And they’re comparatively easy to fix as well. So, even if they do exhibit slight wiring issues, you can just fix them right up.
How To Take Care Of Can Opener For Long Lastingness?
Here’s what you should keep in mind if you want your can opener to last for years:
Proper Maintenance
Even if an opener is manufactured from high-grade materials, it still needs proper maintenance.
Cleaning the can opener in time constitutes a huge part of that maintenance routine, especially if you deal with canned goods in a way such that the opener itself gets dirty often.
Canned goods typically have a higher level of acidity in order to keep the food germ and bacteria-free. So, when such acidic leftovers spread over the steel, i.e. the opener, it can work to corrode the surface. Even with , the acidic solution will continue to seep into the bearings. And if you don’t clean it up in time, the situation will only keep deteriorating. Thus, you need to prioritize proper maintenance first and foremost to ensure the longevity of the openers.
Maintaining The Mechanical Parts
Additionally, your can opener will require special maintenance for the mechanical parts. For instance – to maintain the rust-resistance properties of the steel, you can use a specific cleaning concoction on the opener.
Similarly, you should stay away from such concoctions that can cause corrosion, directly or indirectly.
Again, it’s practically possible to open up various parts of certain can openers. With such openers, make sure to clean each of the inner gears separately before putting them back in.
Also, if your can opener comes with a blade, you should sharpen it from time to time. And after every few months or so, you should take the time to replace the dull old blade.
Avoid Dishwashers At All Costs
Dishwashers are handy and time-friendly, we get it. But that doesn’t mean you should shove all your dirty utensils inside it. Some devices, particularly can openers, cannot withstand the working procedure of the dishwasher.
Hence, by putting them in, you’ll not only cause harm to the opener, but also to the washer itself. The sharp edges of the opener will trace against the washer to cause dents.
And the harsh water flow will either cause the blade to break or bend. Thus, unless the packaging specifically mentions that the product is dishwasher-friendly, clean manually.
Conclusion
So, how long should can opener last anyway? Turns out, most can openers have a longevity period of about three to four years. And if it’s a high-end can opener from a quality brand, it’ll most likely last a little longer than usual.
At the end of the day, the key factor is proper maintenance. If you can thoroughly clean and take care of the product regularly, they’ll continue to put up a great performance.