Best thing about a hand held can opener is that is easy to clean just put it in the dishwasher. FYI one of the first things a health inspector dose when he goes into a restaurant is to check the can opener.

What about the ones that cut through the side of the seam? Mine never touches the content of the can and remains sharp after more than 10 years of use.

I guess that there should be commercial-sized ones as well, so one less thing the health inspector to grasp for.

I got tired of cleaning the electric can opener years ago, it totally grossed me out, haven't owned one for about 20 years! I don't use very much in the way of canned goods and the hand opener works just fine for me. Mine is an OXO that cuts through the side, I just toss it in the DW when it gets dirty.

Now that you mention it, the electric can openers are gross! I always wonder what bacteria is on there when I use it. You have inspired me to soak that little opening blade in peroxide daily!

We have had many power outages here at our new home. I think it's because it's in the mountains, and there is a lot of thunderstorm type weather all year.

Thank God for propane BBQ's and hand can openers!!

Suzi

I have used a manual can opener since going to college in 1970. The blade gets washed after every use. Ours is a Swing-Away. It has lasted forever (20+ years).

Have a couple of Swing Aways I've used for years. Actually says "Made in the USA" on them. There's an electric can opener in the basement storage room somewhere collecting dust.

I love my hand can opener and don't even own an electric. I rinse it off after every use. It's the OXO type. Sometimes I lament not having an electric one when opening a lot of cans such as for a giant pot of chili but otherwise I never look back.

I'm totally with gr8day on this. I just redid my kitchen and denied myself nothing...I was living my dream and enjoy it every day with fancy designer appliances. And yes, am still hand cranking the can opener. Works for me. And I never thought of tossing it in the dish washer...how clever! Thanks for suggestion.

I got rid of the electric can opener about ten years ago. I have never had much counter space to spare and I figured person powered was better for the environment anyway. I wash the tops of cans before opening them and rinse my can opener off with hot water after each use--will have to do the dishwasher as that's better!

Received an electric can opener for a wedding shower gift 44(!) years ago. Donated it after about 6 months and never felt the need for another. Clutter.