25 of the Most Brilliant Cleaning Tips We’ve Ever Gotten from Dads

This Editor-Favorite Tool Makes Can Opening “Smooth and Elegant” — and It’s 32% Off Right Now

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Let’s face it: everyone has that one kitchen tool that was passed down from a family member or purchased at a dollar store when buying high-quality cookware wasn’t an option. For Kitchn editor-in-chief, Faith, it was her husband’s can opener that pre-dated their wedding. When you consider the fact that they’ve been married for 12 years , you get the idea; as far as gadgets are concerned, it was a relic. Eventually, she upgraded to this sleek can opener from Zyliss , an experience she compares to “going from a 2001 Corolla to a luxury SUV”. Considering that the Zyliss has been a repeat winner on our Kitchn Essentials list , we weren’t exactly surprised to hear this. If you’re looking to improve your own can-opening experience, there’s good news: the Zyliss for just $11.50 on Amazon right now !

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At first glance, the Zyliss resembles a standard hand-crank can opener, but it has a few key features that set it apart. One of the most common issues with can openers is that they require a lot of pressure to pierce the lid of a metal can, and, once they do, can easily come off track. The Zyliss has a super sharp stainless steel cutting wheel , as well as a locking mechanism, so you’ll be able to latch onto your can’s lid with ease.

When Kitchn’s lifestyle director Lisa named the Zyliss our best hand – operated can opener , she highlighted the fact that it works on cans of all sizes, and noted that it’s “comfy to hold, and easy to turn.” The opener’s turning handle and two grips have a soft-touch texture that makes them easy to squeeze so you can comfortably turn around the entire perimeter of your can in one go. In Faith’s words, “instead of struggling to get the can opener to latch on it attaches eerily smoothly and lifts the lid with the gentlest of pressure.”

Another pain point with many can openers? After you’ve made your way around the top of the can, the unthinkable happens: the lid sinks into your can of crushed tomatoes (or artichoke hearts, or tuna). Not only is this messy, but it can introduce bacteria into your food. Plus, fishing it out with fingers or a thin blade can be pretty dangerous. Not so with the Zyliss. As Faith notes, “A built-in magnet grabs the lid and pulls it out of the can once you’ve made it all the way around the can”, so you’ll never lose a lid in your canned food again! She adds that, after removal, “a special lever releases the lid into the trash, so you don’t ever have to touch it.”

Canned food is a super convenient and affordable way to stock your pantry, but if you’re waiting for food companies to fully convert to pull-tab cans, you could be waiting a while. In the meantime, take Faith’s advice and upgrade your sad, old can opener to the Zyliss. She admits, “maybe my standards were extra-low but I am not sure why I waited so long to upgrade to a tool that makes even humble can-opening smooth and elegant.”

Buy: Zyliss Lock N’ Lift Manual Handheld Can Opener with Locking Mechanism , $11.50 (normally $16.99)

Vanessa Spilios

Contributor

Vanessa received her culinary training at Boston U. and has a background in housewares product development & marketing. When not testing appliances or developing recipes, she spends her time drawing and tending to her small but mighty porch garden.

Source : food