A manual can opener opens canned food by hand when there is no electricity, so your stored food stays usable through a power outage or a two-week bug-in. It turns a pantry full of cans into meals you can actually eat.
A manual can opener is the small tool that keeps your canned food useful when the power is out. Stock one that turns smoothly, lasts for years, and works for every cook in your family.
- Quantity: Keep two, one in the kitchen drawer and one packed with your food storage, so a lost or broken opener never stands between you and a meal.
- Rust: Choose stainless steel cutting wheels and gears, which stay sharp and turn cleanly after years in a damp pantry.
- Grip: Pick large, cushioned handles and a wide turning knob so tired or smaller hands can open a can with little effort.
- Cutting style: Consider a side-cut opener, which lifts the whole lid off and leaves smooth edges on both the lid and the can.
- Testing: Open a few cans with it each time you rotate your food storage, so you know it works before you need it.
