pogomom's Full Review: Black&Decker Extra - Tall Can Opener
Black & Decker’s Extra Tall Can Opener Plus (Model EC455B) did not appear anywhere on my list of must have small kitchen appliances. For the past fifteen years, we lived without an electric can opener. I am from the school that believes fresh or frozen foods are a better choice than canned goods. Without interference, my Equal Half would happily dine upon SPAM, Chef Boyardee Ravioli and King Oscar sardines. Our personal preferences became known the first time I prepared a spinach soufflé. He wondered what I used to make the spinach look so green. It dawned on me; his idea of Popeye’s passion was the grayish mush residing on the canned food aisles in our neighborhood grocery store.
We would have gotten along beautifully with our manual can opener for another fifteen years had Equal Half not fallen prey to a freak accident. Playing tennis, one morning, he leapt into the air (heaven forbid he might lose a point) and came down backwards on his right wrist. Anyone else might need a splint or cast, not my guy! The damages are so severe that he approaches his third month, since surgery, with no idea of when the steel plates and five enormous bolts will be removed. He lost all use of his dominant right hand and is learning to do mundane tasks with his left hand. Unfortunately, operating a manual can opener is next to impossible with one hand. So, when I received four ten-dollar Target gift certificates from My Points™, I decided an electric can opener might be a good choice of something he could use.
Obviously, my first step was to check my fellow Epinionators’ reviews on the subject. I narrowed the field to Black & Decker’s Extra Tall Can Opener® and the Hamilton Beach Penguin Extra Tall® model. Target carried both models along with a number of similarly priced countertop and under-cabinet mountable models. Even with the variety of samples on display, my choices remained strong.
I found one Rival Safety® model attractive and a great concept. Its operation appeared similar to the other units on display with the added advantage of removing the entire lid with no sharp edges. The product almost made it into my shopping cart until acting upon my decision to open the box to make sure everything was there. Everything was there, including a notice stating that cans must be aligned perfectly parallel to the countertop for the unit to operate. Excuse me? Once the lid was detached; due to an FDA approved sealant, the lid had to be pried off with what was described as “force.” Not only that, but the device would only open perfectly round cans. Rival® offered a toll-free hot line for “expected problems” using that particular model. The Rival Safety Can Opener® failed all the tests I considered putting it through and would have been impossible for my one armed bandit to manipulate.
Back to the Penguin and the Black & Decker without further ado:
Both models are nicely weighted and reasonably attractive for small kitchen appliances. They appeared to take up the same amount of counter real estate and coordinate well with our black and white kitchen décor. Both models offered the usual knife sharpener accessory on the back of each unit. The Penguin™ offers added features of true hidden cord storage and a dishwasher safe blade assembly. I examined both carefully in a side-by-side comparison and leaned towards purchasing the Penguin™ because of the two additional features. I finally decided to check out the “easy removal” of the blade assemblies on both can openers.
On the Black & Decker®, cleaning would only require lifting the lever and sliding the assembly forward. The blade was then fully exposed and could be washed and hand dried in seconds.
Disassembling the Hamilton Beach Penguin™ was no simple matter. I ended up opening one of the boxes to locate directions on how to remove the blade apparatus. It required pressing a tiny hidden button and pressing down on a latch while pulling the assembly away from the body. With that accomplished, I was able to check out the gears and blade. The entire assembly, minus the blade, is composed of white plastic. While this does make it truly rustproof, it also makes it less sturdy. The tiny teeth of the plastic gears would most likely weaken and shear off after regular runs through an automatic dishwasher. As this is the recommended method of cleaning, by the manufacturer, I decided to forgo the Penguin™ for a sleek black, more solidly built Black & Decker®.
The Out of Box Experience:
• The Black & Decker® EC455B body
• Blade Assembly
• Use and Care Book
• Full One Year Warranty
Features:
• Cord Storage: For those in dire need of chuckle, I present Black & Decker’s recommendation for cord storage: “You may “stuff” excess cord back into the bottom of the unit and feed the cord through the notch for convenient storage.” Need I say more?
• Soft Touch Lever: The make up of the blade assembly and positioning of the non-slip rubberized lever requires only a slight touch to pierce cans and commence operation.
• Power Pierce™ Cutter: The patented precision cutting blade allows quick and smooth action when opening cans.
• Auto-Run: For my one-handed spouse, this is a true plus. Once the can is secured, by applying light pressure on the angled can lid; the appliance operates without further assistance.
• Auto-Shut-Off: When the cycle is complete, the can opener stops and holds both the can and the lid in place. The larger than average magnet holds most lids securely even after removing the can from the appliance.
• Balance: The design of this model is wonderful. Even heavier cans of (dare I say it?) ravioli or baked beans do not cause the device to tip. When opening family sized cans, I do put a hand on the body of the can opener, just in case. The rounded base is also weighted in front, which gives excellent balance and a solid feel to the unit.
• Extra Tall Plus: Of all the can openers on display, the extra tall Penguin™ and this Black & Decker® model appeared to tower over the competition. Measuring in at ten inches tall, this model does have the edge. The Penguin’s blade assembly takes up the top inch of height while the Black & Decker utilizes the full height with its configuration.
• Knife Sharpener: My only attempt at utilizing this feature was successful. I managed to hone a rather old, dull Tri-Star chef’s knife to razor sharpness with only a few swipes.
No matter what my research might prove, the final decision on whether this can opener found a home was in the ‘hand’ of my Equal Half. No matter how attractive or well balanced this appliance might be, if he could not operate it single handedly, it would be of no use.
Never having enjoyed the experience of Girl Scouting or even membership in the Brownie troops, I arrived home to discover we had only one can in the pantry. Hunt’s Manwich Sandwich™ makings became our initial foray into the world of electric can opening. Equal Half stood the control lever precariously in an upright position. He placed the can under the blade and with one swift motion the lever came down, the blade the pierced the can and viola, Manwich Sandwich™ time!
Once is never enough. We brought in clean cans from the recycle bin and opened the bottom ends on at least a dozen various sized cans. Perfection reigned from the smallest chopped black olive can to the tallest tomato juice can. He even sacrificed the lidded coffee cans saved for storing nails and small objects on his workbench in the garage. Each one opened flawlessly and with minimal effort.
Our experiences with the Black & Decker Extra Tall Can Opener Plus® are nothing short of positive in every respect. The tall though compact unit blends into our kitchen décor without taking up an unnecessary amount of counter space. Equal Half’s success with one hand has afforded him a renewed freedom in the kitchen. The unit’s easy assembly, disassembly and utility make it ideal for anyone with less than perfect manual dexterity. I would not hesitate to give this exact model as a gift and will definitely purchase another when the time comes to replace the one we presently own. While my long wish list never before included an electric can opener, from this point on, it ranks as a necessity right along with my ice cream maker and espresso machine. Together, my one-armed bandit and I give the Black & Decker Extra Tall Can Opener Plus® an energetic three thumbs up.
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