I used to use electric can openers for years and years. I used those under the cabinet ones, can't recall who made them. Black and Decker?

Anyway, after we moved to the new house, I didnt put my can opener up. I started using a hand held one and never went back. It's just easier, no big can opener to clean, no messy drips under the can opener....I just open my cans over or near the sink and it works better for me.

It'll be interesting to see what others say.

shaun, I do have a hand one now--I think a Cuisinart--but I have this hand thing going on--I think carpel tunnel--and it's very hard to do. Thank you for the suggestion!

I finally bought one about 5 years ago, when it got too hard to use the manual can opener. My current one is the cheapest one at Target - what ever it is. It's still working 5 years on, and when it dies, I'll get another inexpensive electric can opener.

I'm the same. I went through several electric can openers, seems like they only were sharp for a couple of years & had to get another one. I've used a hand can opener for probably 20 years, the same one & it still works well. It was a cheapie too. Don't even know the brand. I tried one of those rechargeable ones a couple of years ago that was highly recommended, but it didn't work well. I think it was just defective, but I didn't replace it.

Probably a year ago, on a road trip, we stopped at a road-side mall. The kitchen store had a large variety of hand-held can openers. Despite arthritis/carpel in both wrists, I found two models that I use with ease. Never have had an electric opener!

I have very little strength in my hands too but found a hand can opener that is so easy to use. Believe me, I can hardly crush garlic using the garlic press.

Anyway, hope you find one that suits your needs and sorry about your carpel tunnel.

I also have some serious carpel tunnel issues but I use a manual Swing Away, love the darned thing and it's easy even for me to use.

I've had a procession of electric can openers. They aren't tall enough or they are hard to get the can into and out of and they get dull quickly. The last one I got so frustrated with that I threw it in the trash, I didn't even take it to GoodWill.

Nope, it's a manual SwingAway for me, although I will add that Amanda has an OXO manual one that I can use pretty easily too.

Annie

another here who junked the electric for the old Swing Away....it's the best hand held brand....we have a drawer full at church from Farberwear to pampered Chef and the Swing Away works the easiest. But go for broke! Get the top of the line...might cost about $10...as much as the electric but works faster, easier and cleaner. I hate the fact that you can't clean the blades on an electric one! Yukko!
Linda C

SwingAway for me, too. The wall-mounted one with the big crank is easiest to use, but in this house there is nowhere to put it, so we use a hand-held Swingaway. Can't beat it.

Never had an electric, but mom did. The blades were always gross.

Sherry

Thank you all for your help. Below is the one I have now--Kitchenaid, not Cuisinart--that I have been having problems with--guess I should have read the reviews. So is Swing Away a brand name, and where can I get one?

Thank you!!

Here is a link that might be useful: Kitchenaid Can Opener

Swing Away is a brand name and they do have different price levels. The top of the line hand held is maybe $15, probably less, LOL.

The wall mounted crank type is more expensive, but like Sherry, I have no place to put it.

I got my at the local True Value Hardware store, but Bed Bath and Beyond or any of their ilk should carry them.

Annie

I'm another who tossed the electric one ages ago. When I moved here, MIL's electric was still here. Most aggrivating thing I ever used. (It was a Hamilton Beach, and a total POS. I think DH threw it in the trash.)

The Swing-a-way, which I have now and like - is a lot like your Kitchenaid one. You might want to take a look at the Zyliss Lock-n-lift. It's also a manual, but it's more ergonomic. I know someone with severe arthritis who likes it a lot. I've used it at her house, and found it very comfortable.

Manual Swing-away here, too! Love mine!

I hope you find something that works. I understand the need if you can't work a manual...

I have the Hamilton Beach opening station. It is a can opener with a jar opener, one of those little knives to open those hard plastic wrappers that it seems everything is packaged in now a days and a bottle opener. I like having all those things in one spot.

I have used the Zlyss....Swing Away is better.
Linda c

Here is a link that might be useful: swing a way

Am I missing something? Thought post was about ELECTRIC can openers.

In any event, bought one of those "as seen on TV" things called "one touch" a couple of years ago. Since then bought one for everyone I know. They're cute and they work with about zippo effort and no mess. Just keep it in he drawer. Easy to find because doesn't look like anything else in there. Batter powered, but I haven't changed 'em yet.

Have seen many places but bought mine at Wal-Mart and CVS. About 20 bucks.

Here is a link that might be useful: my can opener