My Swing-A-Way Can Opener Is Basic and Reliable
I don't usually give my can opener the time of day. I normally just grab it, open a can, and shove the gadget back in the kitchen drawer. But, for some unknown reason today, I picked up my vintage Swing-A-Way can opener and started to analyze it.
I've had it for years and obviously purchased it at a garage sale because its prior owner's name was handwritten on the handle. I hadn't really wondered if this little workhorse was made in the United States, but I suspected that it was. A little bit of careful examination revealed that indeed my opener was stamped "MADE IN USA." I really like this heavy can opener because it always works and I never have to tinker or fidget with it.
When I was growing up, my parents had a "state-of-the-art" avocado green electric can opener. I can't remember who made that thing, but I hated it. It was noisy and tempermental. My father must have hated it too, because one Saturday morning he came home with a hand cranked can opener that he purchased from the local hardware store. He admired the can opener's heft and never reached for the electric version again. Now that I think about it, I'm sure that opener was a Swing-A-Way as well.
Do you have a favorite can opener?
--Melissa A. Trainer
DrGaellon on March 09, 2010 at 11:09 AM
I strongly prefer the SafetyCan variety of opener. Swing-A-Ways rust easily, trap food behind the blade, drop (possibly dirty) lids into the food in the can, and leave dangerously sharp edges.
Maggie on March 09, 2010 at 11:32 AM
I used a Swing-A-Way just like yours for 30 years or so. It was easy to use and easy to store...and easy to keep clean. But, living in the country, I need to wash my empty cans before throwing them away to keep them from attracting unwanted insects, raccoons, coyotes, and other critters. I cut my hands on the lids countless times. A year or so ago, I bought a Zyliss can opener that opens cans at the seams so it leaves no sharp edges. I don't like it as well as the Swing-A-Way for opening cans...you have to position it just so, and then you have to use both hands to carefully lift the top off the can...but I haven't cut my fingers on a jagged can lid since I got it so it is a keeper. I still have my solid old Swing-A-Way just in case I come across a can the Zyliss isn't up to...
Jamie on March 10, 2010 at 04:42 AM
I'm impressed that you've been able to keep your Swing-A-Way rust-free - that's always been the only problem I've had with that type. But I've also gone to the safety type now, because I work in a preschool and sometimes have use for empty cans (for holding crayons and such). I sorta like it; I get a certain amount of amusement out of watching newcomers to my kitchen try to figure it out, for instance. But what it doesn't do well is to make a can-top that can be used to squeeze liquid out of the can's contents, the way I could with a tuna can and a Swing-A-Way. So my tuna salad tends to be pretty sloppy now... (It's OK for draining, just not pressing down on can contents. Doesn't come up that often, in either case - but it's usually when I'm in a hurry or my small strainer is in the dishwasher, so I tend to grumble about it.)
Maggie on March 11, 2010 at 11:09 AM
I treated my Swing-A-Way the way I do my knives. After using it, I ran it under some hot water, gave it a couple of swipes with a brush, and hit it with a dish towel. Still, I think my Swing-A-Way owes its long, rust-free life more to our dry climate than to anything I did.
Oh...to solve the soggy tuna problem...you need a can strainer. I bought mine many years ago at a Ross store, but Amazon sells them. Just go to the Amazon Kitchen page and type in 'can strainer'. Mine is like the stainless steel one selling for $8.79. For a tuna lover, it is worth every penny.
HopeSew on March 11, 2010 at 03:47 PM
@Jamie: I have an old side-cutter can opener. It mounts the same way as the new ones, but it cuts the side of the can just under the rim instead of undoing the seal. I'm able to squeeze my tuna dry with the lid that still has the rim attached but have to use a bit different technique. I cut halfway around the can and tip it into the sink to drain most of the liquid (might not be possible with the way the new openers work), then I cut completely and carefully press one edge of the lid into the tuna as far as it'll go without pushing the tuna out the other side. Then I flip sides (like a see-saw) and squeeze again. The lid will always be slanted, but it still squeezes well. No sloppy tuna salads for me. :)
Dan D on March 11, 2010 at 05:43 PM
I have had a number of can openers over the years, Zyliss included, but the Swingaway is definitely the most reliable and easy to use of the bunch. After using it, I give the cutting section a quick rinse in hot water, towel it off and shake it a few times to air dry it. Once a year or so it gets brush-cleaned and lightly oiled with vegetable oil, never any rust or gunk.
They are still available in some stores, still made in the USA, and an excellent value. Although there are a couple of models, the cheaper ones are not as good, and they may be made elsewhere.
Charlie A. B. on July 26, 2010 at 01:34 PM
Hi Melissa,
Fascinating topic. I love the sturdiness and simple reliability of Swing-A-Way. That is my very favorite can opener. The complaints about rust come from the fact that people put it in a dishwasher. Dishwasher will kill everything. The opener should be washed under hot water with soap and dish brush then rinsed, that's all it needs. I noticed that the new Swing-A-Way openers are made in China. The US made are still available in thrift stores.