The claim: TouCan is a new hands-free automatic can opener that is designed to open cans of all shapes and sizes safely. The uniquely designed blade clamps down on the lid from the outside, and the onboard magnet keeps dirty lids from falling into the can. TouCan has a dishwasher-safe blade and can be easily be stored in kitchen drawers.
Cost: $19.99
Where: National retailers and buytoucan.com
The electric TouCan can opener opened up a can of worms in my household.
Personally, I'm disappointed with it.
My wife, Donna, disagrees.
I found this batteries-not-included product to be unwieldy, confusing to use and selective as to which cans it wants to open.
There's no clear on-off button; the cutting device is difficult to connect to cans. It's awkward, uncomfortable and bulky. And, frankly, the TouCan requires too much patience and dexterity for the simple, everyday task of opening a can.
Billed as “The world's easiest hands-free can opener?” I beg to differ.
But here's my wife's take: “It's very smooth to operate. The top of cans come off with no sharp edges. I think it lives up to the promise on the packaging box. “
For me, it's back to the old trusty manual can opener.
My family's quest for the perfect electric can opener continues.
TouCan calls itself the “world's easiest hands-free can opener.” As I've never seen another hands-free can opener, that's probably true. What's also true is it works. Load the batteries, place it on the can to be opened, hit the button to start, hit the button to stop.
Of course, as I expected it to at least look like the can had been opened, I ended up running a second trip 'round the first can, and that was a mistake. That resulted in thin metal splinters around the perimeter.
But after I figured out that 1.) you can't really tell it's been opened because 2.) the magnet on the unit doesn't grab the lid as advertised, opening the second can was simple. You just have to carefully pry the lid off.
After the second can, I handed it to my mom and said, “Here, you try this.” Without even reading the instructions, she was able to get it to work, although she agreed the magnet on the unit we have was useless.
Size of can doesn't seem to matter to TouCan's efficiency: I opened 8-, 14.5- and 28-ounce containers with no tipping or spilling. And also no sharp edges on either the can or the lid.
I love kitchen gadgets and trying out new ones. The TouCan sounded pretty cool with its ability to open cans, pop vacuum-sealed jars and work as a bottle opener. I installed the four batteries and went to work in the kitchen.
First off, the device doesn't feel as though it will last long. As often as I drop things, the hard plastic encasing the TouCan might not survive bouncing across the kitchen floor.
The operation logic was not apparent, and left me looking from directions to TouCan to box photo to figure it out. Once there, TouCan spun happily around the edge of a can so I could lift the lid clean off. Of course, cutting it this way means I cannot place the lid inside the can before I chuck it into the recycling bin. But, on the other hand, there is no worry about a less-than-sterile lid falling into the soup or beans in the can.
It is a big help is getting a pickle jar popped when my little hands can't manage the task. No more rapping the edge on the counter or running the lid under hot water to pop the seal.
But the TouCan is rather bulky in size. Finding a convenient spot for it in a drawer will be a problem.
