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Shelley L.
April 14, 2025
Small but Mighty!!
I was looking for a can opener that my husband would find easy to use. This little jewel did the trick!When it comes in, you install the batteries and it is ready. Sit the cutter on top of the can over the edge and press the button. No need to hold onto it or the can. It effortlessly glides around the can itself and stops automatically when it is complete!I love that it is small and easy to handle. It would make a great can opener for people who like to camp or in an RV. And it comes in cute colors.
✔ Verified Purchase
FYI- can’t always see opened seal
This works great - easy, pretty quick, hands-free and safe edges, just like it says.Some reviews say theirs didn’t work - maybe they got a dud, and I hope they were able to replace. However, I also wanted to mention that maybe some of them couldn’t tell but it actually did work. There have been a few times when my opener will go all the way around the can and stop like it’s done, but the can looks the same as before. I even go to separate the lid and can’t see a cut seal at all. The lid does not always come right up - sometimes there’s still glue holding it on, even after running this. I have to separate the lid in those cases, and it honestly doesn’t even look like there’s even a spot to do so, or to pry with a fingernail- but it actually is opened. So if this happens to you, just put your thumbs on the edge of the lid and lift (slide thumbs upward where the seal should be). See if it’ll come up with a little pulling. You might not have a dud after all.I need to say that that’s only *some* of the time. Most of the time it comes off easily and is visibly opened when the opener is done. I just thought it’s possible someone had that happen on their first try and may have assumed it didn’t work.Last warning- since the lid is separated with no cut edges, the lid is still the same/wider circumference as the can, meaning you can’t put the lid inside the can when you’re done emptying it. It’s fine though, since the lid isn’t sharp. But it does take up a bit more room in the recycling bin because the lid doesn’t fit inside.
✔ Verified Purchase
You should probably look elsewhere for a reliable can opener
This is my second unit.The first quit working after about a month. I ended up blaming myself for using batteries that were below the "required" voltage, and decided to give Kitchen Mama the benefit of the doubt.Before buying this second unit, I posted a question inquiring about whether the unit would function properly with rechargeable 1.5v li-on batteries. They responded in the affirmative.The second unit arrived practically DOA, unfortunately. Given the experience with the first unit, I was initially predisposed to blaming the batteries, so I tried some others I have. No dice. The unit would spin up but then die almost immediately after "locking" onto a can. "Well, maybe it's the can?" I thought.I don't need to use cans very often, so I didn't have an excuse to try it again for the better part of a week. When I next used it, surprise-surprise, the unit failed to open another can. Very frustrating, as once it has "locked" on, it won't come back off. I had to twerk it and continue hitting the button. Occasionally it would make some progress and eventually I got it to go all the way around the can.If you look at the video, you can see the extended portion moving ever so slightly. The first unit, despite being totally inoperable, does not move at all when I tug on the roller like I do in the video of the second unit.Somewhere in the midst of trying to figure out how to get the darn thing free from the can, I took apart the first unit. I wanted to see how it was assembled to gain some insight into how I might be able to "unlock" the second unit. Once I had the first unit opened, I discovered how badly the inside was damaged. I'm less convinced now that it was due to the low-voltage batteries. Looks more like something bridged the two power terminals on the tiny PCB inside (see picture).When I went to return it (for a refund), Amazon's automated system offered to send me a replacement. I've never encountered this option before, so it was both a nice surprise and an encounter that made me feel suspicious. Part of me thinks that this option is proof the manufacturer or seller is aware of how poorly made these devices are.It wouldn't be the first time I've had the unfortunate pleasure of feeling as though I was unwittingly paying to be a QA person for some business. In all fairness, I don't return many purchases, so the two may not be related.Honestly, had I been forced to return and re-order another unit, I would not have entertained the idea of a replacement. I have about 30 days to return the second unit, so if the third is also bad, I'll just take them both to the store to return them. Kudos to Amazon, I guess, for getting me to take another swing.Side notesI realize there are other devices out there (ostensibly manufactured by different companies), but I don't get the impression there's much difference between any of them. The "longer" and less "bulbous" form factor seems like it would take up more drawer space, and of those, I couldn't find one that would stop on its own.Also, were I so inclined, I think I could repair the second unit with some glue, or make one working device from the top of the second unit and the bottom of the first unit. Either way, the device may have other lingering problems yet to show themselves, and I've really had it with Kitchen Mama products. If this replacement that is due to arrive doesn't perform flawlessly, I would be hard pressed to ever order anything else from this company ever again.
✔ Verified Purchase
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Donna H.
October 25, 2022
Changing my review
I loved it when it worked, but it broke after about 15 uses. It got stuck in the metal of a can and wouldn't move. I had to pry it off of the can and now it just gets stuck in every can I try to open. $35 to use it maybe 15 times isn't worth it. This is not a reliable product from my experience so I can't recommend it.The above is what I originally wrote. I was about to throw it out and read through the manual before I did. It said to take batteries out and put them back in if it gets stuck in a can. So I replaced the batteries and tried opening a can with it and it worked like it did before the problem started. So I am guessing if it gets stuck in the metal of a can the batteries are running low and need to be replaced.I won't use it as my main can opener because a lot of times I'm in the middle of cooking and don't have time to fix a can opener. I will use it when time is not an issue because it's fun to use and when it works it works great. It also will help cut down on having to use a manual can opener and save my hands a bit. But must also say it doesn't open all cans. There were a few cans that it couldn't open when I used it regularly. It did open most cans though.
✔ Verified Purchase