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Culinare One Touch Automatic Jar Opener
by DEBDEB
You are young, healthy, and strong and only venture into the kitchen to get your beer and, occasionally, to get the ready meal from the freezer to the microwave. You don't need this. That's what you think. You may be wrong and I will tell you why.
--For whom--
It is true that the Culinare One Touch Jar Opener is aimed at ... those whose hand dexterity and/or strength is somehow compromised. That makes you think of the elderly or infirm. Somebody afflicted with arthritis for whom twisting a lid off a standard jar is a struggle. That is actually true. Up to a point. Like that torch that you keep in the house in case of a power failure or the spare key you deposited with your trusted neighbour, neither of which you are likely to need, the Jar Opener is an insurance item for your peace of mind. If you happen to pick up a nasty hand incapacitating injury in that game of squash or Tae Kwon Do, you can still get to access the contents of your jars. In some cases, you come across a jar, the lid on which simply won't bulge. Those are the situations when you will be glad you have got this.
--How it works--
The Culinare One Touch Jar Opener is powered by two AA batteries. These are not included in the pack so make sure you have some when you purchase the device. There is nothing to assemble so once you have inserted the batteries, it is ready to go. You place in on the lid, press down gently and adjust the jaws to get a grip on the jar. Press the large button on the top (it is the only button) and let it get on with the job.
The device can be quite slow, sometimes unnervingly so. You could start worrying that it isn't working. What I can say however is that, it almost invariably works. That jar will be opened. With vacuum-sealed jars, probably the majority, there is a tell-tale loud pop as the lid is released. All you are left to do is lift it off and the job is done.
--Mind the size--
It is important to be aware that there is a size range on which this device will work. The manufacturers have specified the range as 32 to 101 mm diameter (that is the lid, not the jar) which translates into 1.26 to 3.98 inches. To be fair, that includes probably over 95% of all the jars you are bound to find in the kitchen. This therefore shouldn't be a worry.
--Design and Price--
The design of the device is simple. It is available in one colour (creamy white) with a sky-blue large button. The battery lid can be rather fiddly so beware. It feels solid in the hand but you sort of worry that you should be careful not to drop it in case you damage the jaws.
The price varies surprisingly widely depending on the retailer. This could range from under £15 to anything close to £30. It is not exactly cheap.
--Not in a jam--
So maybe you think this is really not for you. Fair enough. However, apart from taxes, aging is another of those inevitabilities in life. So, if you have a loved one of advanced years, this could make a very useful and practical present for them. Plus, for the little selfish in you, when you visit them, jar opening will be one less chore you will not be asked to do.
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Culinare MagiCan Opener
by 2012Saver
Can openers is something I admittedly struggle to use - for some reason I find them really difficult to get attached to the rim of the can. We have numerous can openers in our house and one of these is the Culinare MagiCan can opener, which we have owned for a few years, and has become my firm favourite can opener.
Although ... many cans come with easy to use ring pulls nowadays, there are still some food cans we regularly buy that require a can opener, for example tuna, and one of the brands of baked beans that we prefer.
The Culinare MagiCan can opener is made largely from white plastic, with stainless steel metal underneath. It has thick legs which are easy to grip, and the handle on the top of the can opener that you twist is also easy to grip. To use this can opener you simply pull apart it's legs and attach it to the rim of the can, then close the legs and twist the handle clockwise. The handle only needs twisted a couple of times to open the can.
When you have twisted the handle sufficiently to open the can, the lid stays attached to the can opener meaning all you need to do is hold the can opener over the bin, pull the legs apart and voila your lid is released into the bin. After opening the can with this can opened the rim of the can is left smooth without any jagged or rough edges, which makes it a bit safer than other can openers I have used in the past.
This can opener is easy to clean and has been through our dishwasher numerous times. The stainless steel metal underneath has shown no signs of rusting and the plastic is also still in excellent condition.
Price wise, as we have owned this can opener for a number of years I cannot remember exactly how much was paid for it, but at the minute it can be found as cheaply as £0.50 on Amazon (not including P&P) or £4.50 in Argos. I am aware that there are other can openers out there that cost in the regions of £1, but for the quality of this I think it is well worth £4-5. It has also lasted at least 3-4 years and is still in perfect condition.
I would give this can opener a rating of 5 stars as it is so easy to use. I simply cannot think of any disadvantages!
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