We all need a can opener at some point in our lives regardless of the size of our kitchen spaces. Whether you are feeding the cat or opening canned vegetables. Enter manual can openers!
Manual can openers are relatively cheap compared to their electric counterparts and are equally lightweight and easy to store. These openers are categorized into two – those that unseal the outer part of the can while others typically cut the lid right inside the can’s rim.
Manual can openers that cut the lid right inside the can’s rim doesn’t get rid of it entirely. You can use the lid to hold back food when draining off excess liquid. Those that only unseal the outer part allow you to use the lid for temporary storage since you can’t snap it back on. When it comes to this type of appliance, there’s always something for everyone.
Best Manual Can Openers for Seniors/ Elderly
If you are short on time, watch this video on best manual can openers for seniors.
Here’s a round-up of some of the best manual can openers for seniors/elderly:
1. OXO Good Grips Smooth Edge Can Opener
BUY ONLINE
You can never go wrong with an OXO Good Grips Smooth Edge Can Opener. It’s actually one of the best manual can openers for the elderly. It features a side wind design that effortlessly cuts through cans without leaving sharp edges. It’s crafted with a high-quality dishwasher-safe stainless steel metal for ease of cleaning. According to customer reviews, this appliance is well-designed and has great value.
OXO Good Grips Smooth Edge Can Opener is extremely comfortable to use. It features handles that automatically lock together to save you the hassle of squeezing them when opening a can. The grip knob is equally soft and comfortably positioned on the side for ease of use. You can use the built-in lifting tool to remove the lid if it’s not entirely loose without messing your hands.
2. Rosle Stainless Steel Can Opener with Pliers Grip
BUY ON WALMART
Rosle Stainless Steel Can Opener with Pliers Grip is your best bet if you are not working on a budget. It’s made of high-quality stainless steel that will look classy on your kitchen countertop since it’s well-made, rust-free and won’t fall apart or tarnish over time. What’s more, it’s designed in such a way that it doesn’t come in contact with the contents in the can while cutting since it’s completely sealed. This also means that it rarely needs cleaning.
Rosle Stainless Steel Can Opener cuts laterally leaving smooth edges to avoid cutting your fingers when scooping out the contents in the can. Plus, the lid can act as temporary storage when placed back on the can. The handle features a hanging hole for ease of storage especially on the rack where you can easily grab it. According to customer reviews, this appliance is worth every penny and doesn’t tarnish or rust over time which makes it one of the best manual can openers for elderly.
3. Kuhn Rikon Auto Safety Master Can Opener
BUY ON WALMART
Kuhn Rikon Auto Safety Master Can Opener usually open cans from the sides so that the edges are smooth. It’s also relatively cheap. The opener tends to grip the can automatically as you twist the top part of the handle which means that you don’t need to squeeze it. If the lid still sticks after opening it, use the mini pliers to grip the lid’s edge for easy removal. There’s a button on the side that you can press to release the lid into a trash can.
Kuhn Rikon Safety Master Can Opener also comes with a bottle opener, hook and twist-off opener for grabbing cans and pull tabs.
4. EZ Duz It Made in USA Can Opener
BUY ON WALMART
This appliance was made in the 50s but is still being used in this century since it’s easy to use. Its design is straightforward and looks quite simple as it has no frills such as magnets. But it’s the best in terms of functionality and also lasts longer thanks to its rust-free zinc-plated carbon steel design. Just like the name suggests, this manual can opener is made in USA.
5. Good Cook Safe Cut Can Opener
BUY ON WALMART
If you are working on a budget, then this Good Cook Safe Cut Can Opener is your best bet. It’s fairly priced and executes its job perfectly well. It’s one of the best manual can openers for seniors with a slim design and is equally easy to use.
With this manual can opener, you don’t need to squeeze the handles to hold the can. This is because the cutting mechanism holds up the can once you begin turning as the chrome loop positions the opener correctly for opening. This manual can opener usually unseals the side of the lid without leaving sharp edges. So, you don’t have to worry about hurting your fingers once you open the can. The high-quality chrome construction is break, scratch, warp, stain and tarnish resistant.
6. Bartelli Soft Edge 3-in-1 Ambidextrous Safety Can Opener
BUY ON WALMART
Bartelli Soft Edge 3-in-1 Ambidextrous Safety Can Opener is the best bet for older adults with limited hand movement. You can easily operate this manual can opener with one hand. Plus, it can be used with both right and left-handers.
Bartelli Soft Edge 3-in-1 Ambidextrous Safety Can Opener has a no-squeeze one-handle design and a knob that can easily be turned to allow older adults with limited dexterity to operate it with ease. It unseals the side of the can so it doesn’t leave sharp edges. It additionally features an integrated jar and bottle opener for ease of storage ideal for those with small kitchen spaces.
7. Swing A Way Easy Crank Can Opener with Folding Crank Holder
BUY ON WALMART
You’ll love this manual can opener if you find twisting knobs uncomfortable since it features a big crank handle. Although the crank handle is large, it’s equally foldable so you don’t have to worry about storage. So, this manual can opener is not only effective but also convenient to use.
Swing A Way Easy Crank Can Opener pierce the top part of the can then neatly cuts around the edge inside to take off the lid completely. You should hand wash and dry it immediately after use as it helps prevent the cutting edge from being blunt. Since it’s big enough, it’s best suited for opening large cans that their smaller counterparts struggle with. It’s equally comfortable and versatile.
8. Zyliss Lock N’ Lift Can Opener
BUY ON WALMART
Manual can openers are not the most comfortable kitchen gadgets and that is what makes the Zyliss Lock N’ Lift Can Opener stand out. The handle features a wide anti-slip grip for ease of use. Once you clamp it on the can, the handles tend to lock together. This means that you don’t need to squeeze them while cranking. You might think this is a small bonus until you use it a couple of times.
Zyliss Lock N’ Lift Can Opener also features a magnet. It usually holds onto the can’s lid once it’s detached completely. This feature is quite important as it saves you the hassle that comes with having to take off the lid from the can. Or worse, cutting your finger while at it or bending it back! It might not be quite effective but it helps a great deal. What’s more, this manual can opener has been gracefully designed, unlike its counterparts. It’s also easy to clean by hand and is compact enough for ease of storage.
Tips for Choosing Manual Can Openers for Seniors/Elderly
Hand Crank
The best can openers for seniors equire minimum to no amount of hand mobility and strength when cranking. An ideal crank mechanism should be smooth and equally easy to turn without causing any strain. Manual cranks come in different designs but most openers are usually fitted with some curved or flat knob style. Large knobs are easier to handle.
Handles
Save for the size of the knob, the handles should also be easy to grip. Always go for manual can openers with non-slip grips and a comfortable fit on your hands. Handles that tend to squeeze together when you are cranking would also be ideal for older adults with limited hand mobility.
Sides vs Top Cutting
Manual can openers typically cut through the lid leaving sharp edges that can be quite hazardous especially when scooping out the contents of the can. Seniors can go for other types of openers since there’s a variety in the market.
Manual can openers that unseal the can from the sides come highly recommended since they are a safer and cleaner option. The cutting edge design allows you to remove the lid of the can safely since it doesn’t leave sharp edges. It’s also a sanitary can opening method as the blades and the can contents don’t come in contact. With the side cutting method, you also won’t have to remove the lid by sticking your fingers in the can.
Additional Features
Most manual can openers for seniors/elderly are usually simple in terms of both style and functionality. However, some models come with additional features that might come in handy. For instance, can openers with clipping or magnetic lid-catching gadgets save you the hassle of having to stick your fingers into the can to fish out the lid.
Some manual can openers for seniors/elderly also come with pull-tab grabbers and bottle openers to help you take off the lid from a variety of canned goods.
RECOMMENDED GUIDES
