Is My Can Opener Working Properly?

[babywings76]

I have been wondering for a long time now if my can opener is working properly. I always have a hard time getting the lid to come off. Most times I have to go around 2 or more times. Then when it does come off, it always shows the black/brown/or grey glue in strings as I'm pulling it off. Is this normal? I have always just figured that's what it should be like, but my mom has a non-PC one and it gets lids off with more of the lid area and there's no stringy things. I have no idea how long ago I bought it, so I probably can't do anything about it anyway, but I just thought I'd ask you guys about it.

 

[etteluap70PC]

are you using the grippy teeth on the side to get it off?

 

[babywings76]

are you using the grippy teeth on the side to get it off?

Yeah, I am. I also have to go in reverse a little bit to release the can opener first.

 

[etteluap70PC]

Hmmmm.... never had that happen. I have had a few customers say they have had the opener for a few years and the cutting disc seems worn out. Are you squeezing it tight?

When you use the teeth to pry it off are you lifting it up or rocking it up and toward the can? I find rocking it works best.

 

[DebbieJ]

the glue in strings has nothing to do with the opener. It just means that manufacturer used lots of glue!

 

[pampered.chris]

Different cans have different levels of glue. I find more glue in the summer b/c the cans are warmer?! I don't know why, but more glue in the summer. Maybe you should get your opener replaced, it may be defective. I have NEVER had to go around more than once on a can w/ any of my can openers.

 

[babywings76]

How much of the rim of the lid do your openers cut? Mine seems to only go down a millimeter of the way. Are they supposed to go further down closer to where the lid meets the can?

 

[Kodeysmom]

I have one that I have had about 2 years and depending on the can sometimes I have to go around 3 or 4 times. I always figured it was due to more glue being used. Hmm

 

[KellyTheChef]

How much of the rim of the lid do your openers cut? Mine seems to only go down a millimeter of the way. Are they supposed to go further down closer to where the lid meets the can?

They don't go down the can very much at all. It's not actually cutting the can, but breaking the seal of the can...which is why sometimes you see the glue that was used in the sealing process. (Glue which is totally food safe, if anyone is grossed out by that!)

BTW- you souldn't have to go around the can more than once. Sounds like yours are defective.

 

[chefjeanine]

BTW- you souldn't have to go around the can more than once. Sounds like yours are defective.

I'm wondering if they wear out. Does anyone think they get "dull" after a few (seven) years of hard work?

 

[JenniferINarizona]

I have had mine about 6 years and it works just as it did when I got it!

 

[zmom58]

I had a guest at my last show that said you need to clean the "wheel" with alcohol or "Goo Gone" type products once they begin to stick or require more that one turn of the can. It sounds like a great idea, but I haven't tried it yet.
Deb

 

[Intrepid_Chef]

Mine is brand new ... I am trying to like it ... trying really hard ....However, I have the same problem prying the lid off ... and if it's a jar of something soupy, like chicken broth, I tend to give up and find another opener.At least I know how to use it now ... I do feel the opener "release" but still can't pry the lid off ... I will try the rocking thing ... thank goodness I haven't needed to display it at any shows.

 

[crissy11]

Do you know that their is a gripper on the side of the opener to lift the lids off? Also some lids have more glue than others requiring you to go around at least twice.

 

[etteluap70PC]

I have had my opener for 5 years and have never had to go arround more than once on any can and have never had an issue getting the lid off as long as I was using the grippers on the side of the can.

Again the people/ customers I know who have had troubble getting the lid off is because they were lifting straight up. Try gripping the lid with the teeth and rock forward and up.

 

[quiltchef]

I do have to go around my cans twice sometimes. And the tops are hard to take off. I was wondering about folks with arthritis trying to do what I'm doing.
Maybe I'll try the goo-gone etc.

 

[hperschnick]

I have the same trouble... it worked fine for awhile but recently I have to go around several times. And it will "pop" like it is breaking a new area loose. And it is hard to get off - sometimes bending the lid. I guess I'll send mine back, I hadn't thought of that!