When it comes to opening cans of food, it’s hard to beat an electric can opener. They’re easy to use and can save a lot of time when compared to using a manual can opener. A lot of people still don’t know how to use an electric can opener, which means they could end up wasting time and money opening their cans of food. It’s always best to learn something before you use it, so here is how does an electric can opener work?
How does an electric can opener work?
An electric can opener works by using a sharp blade to cut through the lid of a can. The lid is then removed with a lever or a crank, and the contents of the can are ready to be used.
There are two main types of electric can openers: those that use an electric motor and those that use a battery.
Electric Can Openers That Use an Electric Motor
The first type of electric can opener uses electricity to power its motor and operate its blades. This type of electric can opener is often used in commercial kitchens where employees will be opening large numbers of cans at once. These types of electric can openers are also commonly found in homes that have limited space. But they still have many cans to open on occasion (such as when hosting large gatherings).
Electric can openers that use an electric motor are usually fairly easy to operate. A lever on the side of the can opener will be pulled down to activate the motor, which turns a gear that rotates the can opener’s blades. This type of electric can opener is also often designed with a safety feature. The feature will stop its blades from moving if they come into contact with your hand or fingers while you’re using it.
Electric Can Openers That Use Batteries
The second type of electric can opener uses batteries rather than electricity from an outlet to operate its blades and remove lids from cans. These types of electric can openers typically do not have as much power as those that use electricity. So they may not work well on larger cans or even small ones if there is too much friction between them and the surface being used.
But they are portable, so you can take them with you if need be. They are also ideal for those who want to save money on their electric bill or don’t have access to power all the time. Some models do not require batteries at all but instead use a manual crank system to open cans.
This is a great option for those who want to be able to open cans at any time, even if they are not near an outlet or do not have electricity. The only drawback is that it can take more effort to use than an electric model.
What is the best electric can opener for arthritis?
Hamilton Beach (76606ZA) Smooth Touch Electric Automatic Can Opener
The Hamilton Beach (76606ZA) Smooth Touch Electric Automatic Can Opener is the best electric can opener for arthritis.
The lid of this electric can opener cuts cans along the side for smooth, touchable lids.
You don’t have to worry about sharp edges or messy pop-top lids anymore! This automatic can opener also opens regular cans and pop-top cans easily. It has an easy-touch opening lever that allows you to open cans by simply aligning them and lightly pressing the lever.
The sleek chrome and black design looks great on any countertop and complements any decor while also making it easier for users who may be visually impaired. The motor of your can opener is permanently lubricated and will require no oiling.
Why do electric can openers stop working?
It’s a question we’ve all asked ourselves at some point. And it’s a great question because the answer is often more complicated than you’d think! Here are some of the most common reasons why your electric can opener isn’t working like it used to, and how you can fix it:
The lid isn’t on correctly
If the lid is off-center or crooked, this can cause problems with the motor. Make sure that your top is centered and flat before plugging in your machine again.
The cutting blade is dull
You may not realize it, but over time your cutting blade will dull and require sharpening to keep working properly. If this happens to you, take off the top of your can opener (usually just two screws). And remove the blade from its housing using pliers or another tool that won’t scratch plastic surfaces too much (or at all).
Then sharpen it using an angle grinder or other grinding tool until it looks shiny again!
Your machine needs oiling
Even though most electric can openers are designed to be self-lubricating, they still need regular oiling to function properly. Make sure that you oil your machine regularly with vegetable oil or cooking spray (not motor oil or WD-40). You should also clean off any excess grease or food particles from inside the unit’s mechanisms. So they don’t build up and cause problems later on down the road.
The lid sensor isn’t picking up the lid properly
Sometimes, an electrical problem with your can opener comes from one of its sensors, the lid sensor specifically. If this sensor isn’t picking up properly due to a clog or some other issue, then it might be causing problems with how well your can opener works!
You should try cleaning out any clogs or debris that might be interfering with how well this sensor works before trying anything else (or even replacing it altogether).
The motor is overheated from overuse
If you use your can opener on a regular basis, it can start to overheat and burn out after a while. If you notice that it takes a long time for your can opener to get through even one can, this may be the issue!
How to make an electric can opener long-lasting?
If you’re looking to make your electric can opener last longer, there are a few things you can do to make sure you get the most out of it.
Keep it clean
This should be pretty obvious, but keeping it clean is the best way to ensure your opener stays in good shape. Make sure to clean it with warm water and soap every time you use it, and wipe down the motor and gears every couple of months. If you’re worried about ruining the motor or gears, don’t worry! They’re made from durable materials that won’t break if they get wet during cleaning.
Don’t use too much force
Using too much force on an electric can opener will cause unnecessary wear and tear on both the motor and gears inside of it. Not only does this lead to a shorter lifespan for your opener, but also makes it more likely that it will get damaged during use and that’s no fun for anyone!
Don’t leave it plugged in all day long
Believe us when we say that leaving an appliance plugged in all day long isn’t going to help anything, especially one as delicate as an electric can opener!
The battery inside of these appliances needs to be fully charged before using them each time and leaving it plugged in all day long just isn’t going to do that. Plus, it will eventually damage the motor and gears inside of the opener which can lead to a shorter lifespan as well as more issues during use!
Conclusion
So there you have it, a brief rundown on how an electric can opener works. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them in the comments section below!
Hi, I’m Kimberley. I am a happy and adventurous person who enjoys writing about the finer details of the kitchen niche. My blog is where I can share all my thoughts and opinions with other passionate food lovers like me!
if you’re reading this then it’s probably safe to assume that you’ve stumbled across one of my blogs about the kitchen niche! I love writing informative blogs and review posts for those who are looking for a little bit more information before buying their next product.
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