If you’re in the market for new a can opener, you’re probably wondering which one is the best. Well, the answer to that question really depends on what style of can opener you prefer, and which works best for your needs. If you own a popular restaurant or cafeteria and need to open dozens—or even hundreds—of cans every shift, then you should consider an electric can opener. Alternatively, if you own a business like a bakery or bar that opens cans on a less frequent basis, a handheld or manual can opener works just fine.
In this article, we’ll lay out all our top picks for the best can opener available. We’ll also break our selections down by can opener type to make your decision easier. Keep reading to learn more about the best can openers for your business.
Best Manual Can Opener (and Overall Winner)
What is the best can opener on the market? We’ve award that title to the Allied Buying Corp Easy Crank Manual Can Opener. This handheld can opener has a large crank to make opening cans faster and easier, even in hectic commercial environments. This can opener has longer handles to provide extra leverage when opening bigger cans, including #3 and #5 sizes. The Allied Buying Corp Easy Crank Manual Can Opener features comfortable grips on its swings handles, too, so there’s less hand strain as your team works. It doesn’t hurt that this can opener gets great reviews from its loyal fanbase.
Best Electric Can Opener (Single-Speed)
The Edlund 266 230V Single-Speed Electric Can Opener is also one of the best electric can openers on the market today. This model is similar to the previous one we shared, but it only has one speed. This takes a lot of the guesswork out of using the can opener, and it’s ideal for restaurants that typically rely on cans of similar sizes. This model can also handle up to 75 cans per day.
Best Table-Mounted Can Opener
The Vollrath BCO-5000 Eazi Clean Can Opener is our choice for the best manual can opener that mounts on tables. This table-mounted can opener has a stainless steel base and case-hardened blade, which makes it durable enough for commercial settings. Beveled gear wheels and an included table clamp make installing this manual can opener simple, and antibacterial coating and dishwasher-safe cutting mechanisms ensure fast cleanup and enhanced hygiene. This manual can opener allows you to open up to 60 cans per day.
Best Electric Can Opener (Two-Speed)
We think the Edlund 203 230V Two-Speed Electric Can Opener is the best commercial electric can opener available. This two-speed can opener has a lower speed that’s perfect for opening smaller cans, as well as a higher speed for larger cans. Despite its compact size, this model can help your commercial kitchen staff open up to 75 cans daily. It’s this combination of size and power that makes it our choice for the best small electric can opener.
Best Electric Can Opener (Single-Speed)
The Edlund 266 230V Single-Speed Electric Can Opener is also one of the best electric can openers on the market today. This model is similar to the previous one we shared, but it only has one speed. This takes a lot of the guesswork out of using the can opener, and it’s ideal for restaurants that typically rely on cans of similar sizes. This model can also handle up to 75 cans per day.
Best Crown Punch Can Opener
Open up to 200 cans in a single day with the Edlund 70100 Manual Crown Punch Can Opener. The output of this model makes it the best manual crown-punch can opener for high-volume use in commercial kitchens. This can opener features a heavy-duty stainless steel frame and blade components that open cans in a single fluid stroke. Plus, the manual can opener adjusts to accommodate cans ranging from 2” to 10-1/2” high for extra versatility.
What to Look for When Choosing the Best Can Openers
When it comes to planning your commercial kitchen, selecting the best can opener is an important decision. Here are some things to consider before buying:
- Can Opener Type: Can openers come in a variety of types including manual (handheld) and electric (automatic). In general, manual can openers are better for smaller operations that don’t open as many cans, while electric can openers are preferable for high-volume use.|
- Capacity: Many commercial can openers are rated by how many cans they can open daily. Do some quick math to determine how many cans your kitchen opens on average, then find a can opener model that matches. Some of the can openers available on Central Restaurant Products can open 200 cans per day!
Can Size: Unlike home kitchens, restaurants frequently need to open up much larger cans, including #10 cans that hold over 6 lbs. of product. If your team works with cans of this size, make sure you buy a heavy-duty can opener that can handle the job. - Construction Materials: To withstand the rigors of commercial use, the best can openers are made of durable materials. Look for models made from stainless steel, which is tough and resists corrosion and rust.
- Ergonomic Design: Opening high volumes of cans takes a strain on the operator’s hands. Search out can openers with ergonomic designs, including comfortable handles/grips. These will reduce strain and hand pain as your team works.
Of course, can openers are only one component in any cook’s toolbox. If you’d like to learn more about the other commercial cooking items we recommend, check out our guides for catering supplies and food truck equipment.
FAQs on Commercial Can Openers
1) Is an electric or manual can opener better?
Well, that depends on the size and number of cans your commercial kitchen opens in a typical day. If your business is small, or if you plan to use it for residential use, a manual can opener might be superior. Manual can openers have a simple design, don’t require a power source, and give the user extra control. However, if you run a high-traffic restaurant or cafeteria and need to open dozens of cans quickly, a commercial electric can opener is an efficient choice that won’t tire your staff’s hands.
2) What is the best brand of can opener?
Edlund manufactures a variety of high-quality commercial can openers. You might have even noticed that we named three Edlund models among our best electric can openers. Central also has a number of can openers available from Vollrath and Nemco, two trusted manufacturers of commercial kitchen supplies.
3) What is the best hands-free can opener?
Both Edlund 203 and Edlund 266 electric can openers have mechanisms that lock the cans in place, allowing for hands-free opening. One quick warning: these electric can openers work quickly, so you won’t have much downtime between swapping out cans!
4) How do you clean commercial can openers?
Wipe down the exterior of the can opener with a damp cloth after every use. Routinely clean the cutting wheel and gear mechanism with warm, soapy water, as well. Make sure to dry the can opener afterwards to avoid any rust or corrosion. For electric models, make sure to unplug the unit before cleaning.
Shop for the Best Can Opener for Your Business
So, what is the best can opener on the market anyway? We’ve provided some great options, but it depends on the specific needs and preferences of your commercial kitchen. With all you’ve just learned in mind, check out Central’s can opener collection below!
And if you’re wondering what to do with all of these newly opened cans once you’re done… crush them with a commercial can crusher to save time & space, making recycling easy!
