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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Aibu:To want to buy a tin opener that works

91 replies

Hmmmm2018 · 31/01/2021 22:06

I appreciate there are many more worrying issues at the moment, but having had our cheap old tin opener for over a decade during which it successfully did it's job of opening tins, AIBU to be fed up that after buying three replacements not one of them can actually do the job of opening a tin, without some extra effort or wiggling or just not do it. Have tried expensive, have tried cheap but neither have actually been any good at opening tins!


This thread is quite old, but if you’ve landed here looking for advice on what kitchen tools to buy, we’ve recently updated our best can opener guide with loads of Mumsnetter-approved products, including both manual and electric options. We hope it’s helpful.
MNHQ Flowers

OP posts:
Otherplans · 01/02/2021 00:12

That's witchcraft @MollyButton

ToniTheDonkey · 01/02/2021 01:15

@whydobirds

Ffs. Link didnt work. Lantana safety tin opener. Makes lovely rounded edge.
I’ve taken your word for it and just ordered it.
ToniTheDonkey · 01/02/2021 01:18

[quote MadameMinimes]I have the Nogent Super Kim and I can’t recommend it enough. It takes up practically no space in a drawer and once you’ve used one suddenly the usual style of can opener makes no sense. Why do they even have handles? What is the point? The Super Kim just locks itself onto the tin as you turn the handle. [/quote]
I hope you’re right, I’ve just spent twenty quid buying this on the strength of your recommendation, I’d better stop reading this thread or I’ll end up buying every tin opener someone mentions!

MadameMinimes · 01/02/2021 06:58

Pressure is on! Grin Mine cost me a similar amount (I think about £16) a few years back and I’ve never regretted it. It feels like it will last forever and whilst there’s nothing at all fancy about it, it reliably opens cans without fuss or extra effort. You just hook it over the edge and twist.

CovidCakeConundrum · 01/02/2021 07:40

Are you using them correctly?

Ours kept breaking and turned out DP was using it on the wrong sides of the tin. His was was for it to cur the side of the tin when obviously it should be cutting the inner rim of the top of the tin. He was making them cut the thicker metal and they were breaking.

biddybird · 01/02/2021 07:54

Another vote for the Lantana 2 in 1. I've had mine for about six months now and everyone in the household loves it.
www.amazon.co.uk/Lantana-Safety-Can-Opener-Bottle/dp/B07464F5WN/ref=sr_1_14?dchild=1&s=kitchen&keywords=tin+opener&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1612165964&sr=1-14

40somethingJBJ · 01/02/2021 08:41

I have a Sabatier one bought off Amazon. It’s the only one I’ve ever had that actually reliably opens tins and hasn’t broken (yet!).

luxxlisbon · 01/02/2021 09:03

The only tin opener I can use is the magican ones. I think I've bought one in 10 years. Everything else is shit imo.

Hobbesmanc · 01/02/2021 09:09

My butterfly one that my mum gave me when I left home to go to University in 1989 has just broken- I was gutted. I've bought expensive ones and neither works properly

BigWoollyJumpers · 01/02/2021 09:13

This is weird. I haven't owned a tin opener for about twenty years. What tins still need opening like that? Curious.

Eleoura · 01/02/2021 09:19

I've had an electric one for literally 14yrs now! It just sits in the corner, isnt too big and always ready to go. It was likely from argos or tesco, but cant recall.

TheWitchersWife · 01/02/2021 09:27

I got an electric one from aldi for around £12 a few months ago.
So far, so good. Comes with a guarantee.
I've had to buy a new handheld one every other months for years.

TheWitchersWife · 01/02/2021 09:29

www.aldi.co.uk/electric-can-opener/p/708697432644800

BikeRunSki · 01/02/2021 09:32

@BigWoollyJumpers

This is weird. I haven't owned a tin opener for about twenty years. What tins still need opening like that? Curious.
Most budget brand tins still need tin openers. And tuna.
BikeRunSki · 01/02/2021 09:36

We have a Oxo Grips and a Brabantia. Brabantia was a wedding present nearly 21 years ago. Got the Oxo about 5 years ago when we lost the Brabantia, which we obviously found the moment we’d bought the Oxo.

BarbaraofSeville · 01/02/2021 09:42

Most budget brand tins still need tin openers. And tuna

It's not just budget brands. Branston beans (far nicer than Heinz) and Ambrosia rice pudding etc need a tin opener.

Plus I prefer tuna in non ring pull cans because it's far easier to drain the tuna properly by pressing down on the lid if you've used a can opener rather than a ring pull to open it.

We have an old Ikea opener that's got to be 15/20 years old and still going strong. However, they're not open right now, so you'd have to add on postage or the click and collect fee if you wanted that one and the ones sold now are not as good as the old ones like I have - I bought one for work because there was never a decent can opener when I needed one.

BarbaraofSeville · 01/02/2021 09:46

Got the Oxo about 5 years ago when we lost the Brabantia, which we obviously found the moment we’d bought the Oxo

As an aside, why does that always happen Angry.

Once I couldn't find any scissors, went to Ikea and bought a couple of packs of the cheapies. Got home and found at least two of the existing pairs straight away. Needless to say we now have plenty of scissors, enough to keep a pair in every room in the house, and then some.

My main car key has disappeared. I'm using the spare and being extra careful to not lose it. But I'm holding off getting another one, because it's one of those fancy ones that needs to be ordered from the dealer and costs £££s and I just know that it will turn up within hours of buying a new one. DP thinks he lost it, I really have no idea, but I'm letting him carry on believing that, so it's his fault something has been lost for once Grin

NeedCoffeeToSurvive · 01/02/2021 09:49

I must have purchased about 7 of the stupid things in the last year, they keep breaking! Im starting to think it's the tins causing the problem instead. We've not had one that's lasted more than a couple of months, latest one from IKEA has already broken. Definitely going to look at some of the ones people have suggested on here.

Penners99 · 01/02/2021 09:58

OP, search P-38 can opener. 100% reliable and simple to use. I have had mine for 45 years and it still works perfectly.

BigWoollyJumpers · 01/02/2021 11:54

@BarbaraofSeville

Most budget brand tins still need tin openers. And tuna

It's not just budget brands. Branston beans (far nicer than Heinz) and Ambrosia rice pudding etc need a tin opener.

Plus I prefer tuna in non ring pull cans because it's far easier to drain the tuna properly by pressing down on the lid if you've used a can opener rather than a ring pull to open it.

We have an old Ikea opener that's got to be 15/20 years old and still going strong. However, they're not open right now, so you'd have to add on postage or the click and collect fee if you wanted that one and the ones sold now are not as good as the old ones like I have - I bought one for work because there was never a decent can opener when I needed one.

I had to go check..... caveat, I shop at Waitrose, but their Essential Tuna is a ring pull.... I suppose I just don't buy much in tins then. Soup, tomato's, various beans, tuna, all ring pull.
safariboot · 01/02/2021 13:59

To the always ring pullers: Have you never had the ring snap off?

CityCommuter · 01/02/2021 14:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Rexasaurus · 01/02/2021 14:03

Don’t bother with an Asda one we’ve had 2 both broke. Tried Morrison’s, matalan. We’ve been through about 5 in 5 months. Previous one we had for years 🤷‍♀️

Gave up last week & bought an electric one. At least it has a warranty

Katinski · 01/02/2021 14:18

Y'know those Oxo Good Grips ones? Y'know why they have those soft handles? It's cos they target the elderly/arthritic market, is whyGrin - nothing like a bit of insider information to make you feel good about yourselfGrinGrinGrin
My US Best Friend designed that, btw. I've a drawerful of her stuff.

BigWoollyJumpers · 01/02/2021 14:31

@safariboot

To the always ring pullers: Have you never had the ring snap off?
No Shock. That's why I have never needed an opener!!