Can-O-Mat Photos for David d-jones and Everyone

[danemodsandy]

When I posted about mounting and using my new-to-me Can-O-Mat, David d-jones asked for photos - so here they are.

The first one shows the opener mounted below my West Bend paper and foil dispenser, which is a pretty freakin' rare item in the aluminum finish. Most of these dispensers are found in the anodized copper finish, which I don't collect. What you can't see in the photo is the step-on garbage can right below the Can-O-Mat; it's a new can, but it's in polished stainless that looks at home with all the other silvery items in the kitchen. When opening a can, you just open, then flick the lid off the opener's magnet into the garbage. Easy-peasy.

The second photo is a closer shot of the business side of the Can-O-Mat, showing the removable cutting wheel (it comes off for cleaning) and the lid magnet.

Last, the third photo shows the "beauty" side of the opener, with the streamlined body in Buick-quality chrome and the black handle. All my kitchen smalls are black and silver.

So, I hope that answers any curiosity about what the new acquisition looks like now that it's up and cranking!

P.S.: I know the photos aren't the highest rez, but you see, my digital camera is also vintage - a Sony Mavica MVC-FD73. It saves to floppies - remember floppies, LOL? I'll get a new camera someday....

 

[d-jones]

Thanks for the photos, Sandy!

It looks right at home. Now I want one! That paper and foil dispenser looks like a useful thing to have around as well. I'd love to get them out of my cupboard where they always seem to be in the way.

 

[danemodsandy]

David:

That paper dispenser is a real boon in my tiny kitchen. As I mentioned, these West Bend ones turn up most often in the anodized copper finish.

Two other manufacturers made paper dispensers for a long time, and they are not too hard to find - Lincoln Beautyware and Garnerware. Both were available in a variety of finishes.

Mine is the only style West Bend made - a three-way dispenser for paper towels, foil and waxed paper. The other two manufacturers made both three-way and four-way dispensers; the four-way ones dispense Saran Wrap in addition to the other items. I needed the West Bend one because it matches my West Bend canisters, and repeated details are helpful in keeping a kitchen as small as mine from looking cluttered.

Three manufacturers made double-action can openers that are not too hard to find today: Can-O-Mat (Rival), Dazey and Swing-A-Way. Sears also sold the Swing-A-Way rebranded as Sears Best. A double-action can opener is one that does not require operating a lever to pierce the can; you turn the crank towards you to lower the cutting wheel, thus piercing the can, and then turn the crank away from you to begin opening. Single-action can openers require that extra step of using a lever to pierce the can, and I never liked it, since I grew up with a Can-O-Mat.

The Can-O-Mat and Dazey were available in a range of colors plus chrome; the Swing-A-Way was in white or a silvery finish, so far as I know.

 

[kenwashesmonday]

I love my Can-O-Mat, I've had it since the 1980s.  It's easy to clean and works like a charm.

 

At one point I thought mine was failing, but it seems I was getting impatient and simply turning the crank too fast.

 

Ken D.

 

[twintubdexter]

I think it's cool that people can get so much enjoyment and satisfaction out of something as simple as a can opener. Cool too that a person can appreciate an item that's constructed so well.

A note about paper dispensers...Back as a teenager at the appliance store they had a ton of these "Caloric Caddies." I think they were a promotional deal when the owner brought in Caloric gas ranges, the first with a self-cleaning oven (please don't jump on me if I'm wrong.) A couple of years later what was left of these Caddies ended up in the back of the warehouse and they told me I could have them. I gave them to a lot of my friends whose parents thought they were great until they went to use them. Although they were very well-constructed the paper and foil often stuck inside. Of course it could be that they were using the cheap stuff.

 

[jeffg]

Wall dispensers are a great idea imo. Do the cutters actually work on things like waxed paper and plastic wrap?

 

[vacosaurus]

Danemodsandy

I have to agree with Twintube dexter I get a kick out of someone being so excited about something as mundane as a can opener. I have one of these I bought at a garage sale for a buck and put it in a box of "Stuff" I had and never really looked at it. After reading your post I had to pull it out and look at it. It really was pretty cool and well made. Now I have to come up with a good place to hang it up to use. Most of my daily use items are vintage I don't know why they always were.To me they seem to have Soul.Very few people today would understand the satisfaction that we enjoy in a vintage item. Enjoy your post's and your knowledge keep them coming. Bill,

 

[danemodsandy]

Joe:

Many paper dispensers are at least somewhat picky about what they will and won't dispense readily. My West Bend unit loves cheap paper towels, but demands only the best heavyweight Reynolds foil. I can't tell if it has any real preference in waxed paper; although it handles Cut-Rite perfectly well, it's not like I'm going to use any other brand anyway.

Bill:

The sooner you get that Can-O-Mat mounted and in operation, the happier you'll be, trust me. It's great to have something that's pretty much indestructible and which runs on human power instead of the grid. You will love it. P.S.: A buck? Man, do I wish I'd gotten mine for that, LOL!

 

[danemodsandy]

Oh, and Jeff:

The cutters on dispensers usually work very well. As I've said, dispensers can be picky, but it's in other ways; they will sometimes balk at one brand of something and work fine with another. My West Bend dispenser will not dispense "bargain" foil; it tears the foil lengthwise as you try to pull a length out of the unit. It's fine with higher-quality Reynolds foil.

But the cutters have never represented a problem.