Black & Decker KEC600 Cordless Can Opener, White

Price: $30.79
Manufacturer: Black & Decker


The ergonomic design of the KEC600 allows for easy one-handed operation and features a removable, dishwasher safe Power Pierce Cutter. It easily opens big and tall cans and can be held over the sink while operating to drain the liquid from canned tuna as it opens the can. The unit shuts off automatically and recharges in the included countertop charger.

Information

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2221 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Color: Black
• Brand: Black & Decker
• Model: KEC600
• Dimensions: 11.00" h x 4.00" w x 4.00" l, 1.40 pounds

• Cordless can opener is hands-free, walks around cans
• Comfortable, erogonomic grip
• Lightweight and rechargeable
• Power-pierce cutter with automatic off; opens up to 30 cans on a charge
• Safe to use in dishwasher

Product Reviews

Amazon.com Review
This cleverly designed appliance turns the chore of opening cans into a hands-free operation that's as much fun as it is effective. The opener is cordless so it goes anywhere, eliminating the need to carry a can to a countertop or mounted electric opener. Simply clamp the opener onto any size can and let go of the soft-grip, ergonomic handle. The opener then walks around the can on its own, shutting off automatically when the can is open. It's lightweight and recharges in a compact, 3-1/2-inch-diameter storage base. Standing in the base, the opener is 8 inches high. For easy cleaning, the removable blade is dishwasher-safe. --Fred Brack

Turns a Boring Task into Fun
I would have never imagined opening cans would be a task someone would actually want to do. But my kids now fight over whose turn it is to open the cans! The hands free operation of the can opener is easy to start and fun to watch, as the opener works its way around the can. The handle is easy to set in place, release it, and the opener starts up with its race around the can, on its own, then shuts down when the job is complete.

The recharge unit, almost small in nature, can sit on the back of the counter, and the unit sits in the cradle. The unit seems to hold its charge without a problem, easily handles 5 cans at a time, the most we have ever needed at once, although my youngest would do the whole cupboard if I let him.

This system allows something that I have NEVER been able to do before, actually wash the cutting blade! The removable blade is dishwasher safe for easy and effective cleaning. The other can openers I've owned, which were full units and could not be submerged, could only be cleaned by wiping with a damp clothe. This is MUCH more sanitary.

A great system, and it makes meal prep time, fun time.

This little baby is smokin
I love this unit. I had an Oster stationary. It was annoying. It would pop the lid at the end of the cycle, causing liquid to splash on the counter top, and finally the nylon gears went. This Black and Decker does none of that. It runs around the can, and comes to a stop right at the end of the run. No runs, no splashes, no errors.
The convenience of being able to use it anywhere in the kitchen is like using a 900 mghz phone for the first time. It's fun. As odd as it may sound, I now look forward to opening cans.
I noticed that the other Black and Decker model had some problems, but the reviews on this model were great. I can see why.
How many years of use I get out of it, I do not know, but the price, convenience, and quality of the job it does, this is a winner.
One more thing, I noticed that it does not open part of the can, and miss part.You know that annoying problem, of having to go over the top several times to get it completely open. This unit does not skip anything. It is clean, complete, and does what it is supposed to do without a glitch the first time. Buy it you won't be sorry.
This is an edit to my review, or it would be better for me to say, this is in addition to my original herein contained review. I am back after two years exactly, (It's October 2004 and I bought my first one in October 2002) I am here to buy another one. The two year old one is still working but it moves very slow. The nature of NIMH batteries is that they recharge very quickly, run for a longer amount of time, but their shelf life is limited next to a NiMHD. It's a trade off. I love this can opener. It is easy to use unless you are opening cans with your mouth. All you have to do is use it properly. Take a moment when placing it back on the charger to make sure it is properly mounted. Additionally, you have to hold it in the proper position when starting to open the can. If you are opening a little can like tomato paste, then yes you should keep an eye on it, because the opener is larger than the can. But on average size to larger size cans, you can start it and go about your business while it opens. It even automatically stops when it comes to the end.
Pertaining to how long it lasts, I think two years of use, for something that is so convenient and well engineered, for only 83 cents per month is well worth it. If you leave it off the charger for weeks and it runs out of juice, and then you force it to trudge around the can, then you will wear the battery out sooner than two years. Keep it on the charger when you are not using it.
Another nice feature is that the entire cutting head comes right off and is dishwasher safe. They make some other models that are getting mixed reviews, so I would be sure to get the KEC600. It is possible that some of the reviews written here are about the other models. Overall I highly recommend it.

Works great at first, then gradually dies
Pros: As others have already written, this Black & Decker Cordless can opener works great at first. It's really handy and convenient being cordless.

Cons:
1. Getting a can lined up so it will start opening a can is a little challenging and frustrating.

2. Battery slowly loses its rechargeable charge capability, it's difficult to find a replacement battery, and the battery is too expensive to be practical to replace.

Now that I've had it about 1 year or so, it's obvious that the battery is starting to lose its rechargeable charge capability. It will still open a can, but it's not very powerful now and it's fading, and it sounds like it's barely going to be able to finish opening a can.

Someone else wrote in that it was difficult to find a battery and Black & Decker wants $24.95 for a replacement battery.

3. Life of this can opener is only 1 year, maximum 2 years with only occasional use, due to the impracticality of the battery replacement. In my opinion, it's not worth paying $24.95 to replace a battery once a year, especially for a $20 can opener!

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So, would I recommend it to anyone else? Only if you don't mind having to replace the can opener in about a year or two or spending $24.95 every year for a new battery, depending on how much you use it. Personally, I won't buy another one like this for that reason.

In contrast, my old plug-in electric can opener lasted about 20+ years with fairly heavy use before it died -- lots of can opening with a family of four, raising two kids, and doing a lot of cooking!

I'd give a higher rating if the Black & Decker cordless can opener lasted AT LEAST 5 years, preferably longer, and if the battery replacement cost was only a few dollars. As it is now, I won't buy another one and I won't recommend it to anyone, either, even though I do like the can opener when it's new and runs with a good enough charge.