Has anyone else had the issue with the opener just completely freezing up? I can't turn the handle, even if the gears aren't engaged with the blade.
1267859
Mine got a little tight, I may have put it away wet and caused some rust. I lubricated it lightly with penetrating oil, worked it in for a while, and now it works as good as new. If you're worried about food safety, you could try the same with mineral oil, but the penetrating oil is thinner and will be easier to get it worked in.
1267860
Wow, that's really far gone. I've had my black handle opener over two years. It gradually got very hard to use and took me a long time to realize what was happening. I guess every time you wash it you run some lubricant out of the bearing or it starts getting rusty inside or whatever. A drop of oil made it work better than new. That bearing could be improved, my old Swingaway (same design) worked many many years and never got oiled. I should be receiving my second black one any day now.
1267861
Yes, that happened with mine, though it was a great can opener before that happened. I do submerge mine, though I don't let it sit in dishwater. I'm going to try using oil on the gears per Jeremy M's comment (thanks, Jeremy) and see what happens. I think contact info is in the reviews on one of these USA-made openers; that will be next step.
1267862
Yes, mine froze up. So I lubricated it, but within a couple of months it froze up again. This has happened repeatedly, and it irritates me that it needs so much attention. A can opener should simply do its simple job without demanding all this loving care. So I'm back here on Amazon hoping to find a more reliable, less temperamental replacement.
1267863
Yes, the same thing happened with mine. I make sure to dry it properly after each use and store it away from abnormal moisture. I got two good years out of it before it seized up, though.
1267864
Mine has only gotten more difficult to use. If the can isn't EXACTLY round, it just stops and I have to start over again in a different spot and hope I can pry the lid off. I wouldn't buy this again, and have thrown it away.
1267865
No, mine works great. No problems. The Ez-Duz_It people stand behind their product so get in touch with them.
142475
I cannot get either one of my openers to work. I have contacted the seller several times and none of their suggestions helped. I contacted five local gate opener dealers and none of them has any experience with ALEKO. I contacted ALEKO to ask the name of anyone local who will help me and they did not even reply. From my experience you may draw your ownconclusions.JNMPE@aol.com
877783
Be sure the clutch is totally engaged in the out position. If the blade is not turning that is your problem.
1831195
There is some type of spring mechanism that helps the blade fully open. Try looking it up on YouTube to see how it works.
786356
I have not had this problem but could see how it might be a possible consequence of a manufacturing defect. Normally it takes a deliberate effort to move the blade lock aside, to allow closing the blade.
1989254
On the new model I believe there is a reverse option used to push slush down the hole once the hole is cut...Sounds stupid but I would check to make sure it's spinning in the correct direction...if it's not engaging the motor then I would check the safety switch on the handle and make sure it's not broken. (that happened on mine and I just removed the safety switch and it works just fine)
2056379
Yes, I experienced that, too. It's terrible. My husband is a mechanical whiz (designs gears for a living) and he worked on it, trying to get it to run smoothly. It was hopeless. He said that the gears did not mesh--they were just made wrong--and they would never run smoothly. They actually grind upon each other and produce metal shavings because it's made so poorly. Sorry. I gave mine to the Goodwill.
142476
I cannot get either one of my openers to work. I have contacted the seller several times and none of their suggestions helped. I contacted five local gate opener dealers and none of them has any experience with ALEKO. I contacted ALEKO to ask the name of anyone local who will help me and they did not even reply. From my experience you may draw your ownconclusions. JNMPE@aol.com
1971180
Tammy,I figured out after that happened to me was to get the motor running and pour the mixture in using the slot in the top. I haven't had any more trouble with it sticking. It does seem to freeze up quicker than the time it says in the booklet. I scrap it out with a rubber spatula and put it in a container to finish in the freezer. I got a good hint from another web site to put a little acholol ( rum or tequila)in it to keep it from freezing rock hard. Hope this helps
1775569
shaved ice. and make sure the cutting blade is tight before you use it? it seems like that is a problem with them. after you do that it works fine. thank yiu
1711801
I had a lot of trouble at first and then it started working fine. The lever you push forward to release the blade wasn't going far enough forward. Work it and see if it loosens up and goes nearly all the way forward, where it is almost parallel with the blade. Then the blade will come out easily. Hope that works for you.
2070302
Mine is very stiff and takes quite an effort to open. The blade has to swing open very firmly for it to lock in place. Pushing the tab to close the knife is taking less of an effort after playing with it for a while. The more that I work with it, the less of an ordeal to open, but it is still not easy and fluid, like my other knives. I'm hoping it gets much better after I work with it for a while, but I am a little disappointed that it is taking so much work to, hopefully, make it usable.
1735509
If it doesn't cut for them..then I would say they have a serious operating problem! My cuts just fine..I've been using it everyday since i purchased! Keep it clean..and in the locked position after use! Open the locking device with the spring hinged lock handle..and open the opener wide enough to accept the next can to be opened..make sure it is positioned to cut into the can lid..and press (using some pressure..depending on the 'temper' of the metal of the can..as some cans are softer metal) )..then rotate the cutting gear handle and the cutting blade will do what it's designed to do! Open the can!! Don't be too 'girly'..it's a tool!! And..tools requie at least some skill! If it doesn't cut for them..then I would say they have a serious operating problem! My cuts just fine..I've been using it everyday since i purchased! Keep it clean..and in the locked position after use! Open the locking device with the spring hinged lock handle..and open the opener wide enough to accept the next can to be opened..make sure it is positioned to cut into the can lid..and press (using some pressure..depending on the 'temper' of the metal of the can..as some cans are softer metal) )..then rotate the cutting gear handle and the cutting blade will do what it's designed to do! Open... » Read More If it doesn't cut for them..then I would say they have a serious operating problem! My cuts just fine..I've been using it everyday since i purchased! Keep it clean..and in the locked position after use! Open the locking device with the spring hinged lock handle..and open the opener wide enough to accept the next can to be opened..make sure it is positioned to cut into the can lid..and press (using some pressure..depending on the 'temper' of the metal of the can..as some cans are softer metal) )..then rotate the cutting gear handle and the cutting blade will do what it's designed to do! Open the can!! Don't be too 'girly'..it's a tool!! And..tools requie at least some skill! « Show Less
283096
Sean&Dawn;, we have had the EXACT same problem! This one has been great. It just FEELS more durable, and has worked like a dream. I seriosuly can't believe I'm saying this about a can opener, but it's the truth!
158763
It is a little tricky but mine opens and closes. After inspecting it I see that as you may suspect, turning the handle right tightens it and left loosens it. Yours must be initially stuck. I bet if you can get it to open once you won't have any trouble the next time. ;)
988021
I wish I could help, but I've never had a problem with the blade cracking. Perhaps, there was a flaw in the one you had.
1077648
I struggled with it too and gave it to my husband. He detached it easily so it isn't the blade; it was me. He thinks he might have pushed it in a little before twisting. Good luck. It really works great when it works!