Why Are Under-Counter Can Openers So Expensive? (10 Reasons)

 

One of the peskiest parts of cooking is opening a can.

There is no shortage of tools and methods you can use to open a can, but some are easier than others.

One of the easier tools to use to open a can is an under-counter can opener.

You simply put the can into the opener, and the tool does the rest of the work for you.

The problem with under-counter can openers is that they’re usually quite expensive.

 

Why Are Under-Counter Can Openers So Expensive? (10 Reasons)

 

The average price of an under-counter can opener is between $10 and $50, but you can also find some going for $200 or more.

Under-counter can openers are expensive because of the cost of their materials, the different features they offer, and the cost of additional installation service.

Let’s look at these factors in more detail.

 

1. Stainless Steel Can Opener

 

One of the most common materials used to make can openers is stainless steel.

The problem with stainless steel is that it can be pretty expensive to source.

Manufacturers of can openers have to pay more to source stainless steel when its price is high.

Since they’re taking on higher costs, they need to offset those costs with higher prices on their products.

Stainless steel is also in high demand.

It’s used in tons of industries.

As such, when the price is high, the demand for stainless steel only makes the price increase even further.

If a shortage were to occur, the price would skyrocket.

You might find that an under-counter can opener is expensive exactly when the price of stainless steel is high.

Under-counter can openers are expensive because of the high price of stainless steel.

 

2. Ability To Adjust Size To Fit Cans

 

Some under-counter can openers can adjust to fit any can.

This is ideal for homeowners because it means they’re able to buy whatever size can they want.

They don’t have to worry about not being able to open it at home or having to buy several different openers for different cans.

The problem with can openers that can adjust is that they’re expensive.

At the very least, they tend to be more expensive than standard can openers.

That’s because a can opener that can adjust its size requires more parts.

It has to be able to transition between small cans and large cans.

That requires more manufacturing costs.

Since the production costs are higher, the price of the can opener is going to be higher.

Can openers that can adjust to different-sized cans also remove the need to have numerous can openers in the house.

Since it keeps you from buying more products from the company, they have to ensure that they get a good amount of money from the opener that you do buy.

As such, they put a high price on it.

Finally, the benefit of being able to open almost all your cans with a single opener can also make it more expensive.

Manufacturers know that some people are going to be more willing to pay more for an adjustable can opener.

Under-counter can openers are expensive because the self-adjusting openers are in higher demand and more expensive to produce.

 

3. Design Costs

 

Under-counter can openers aren’t always attractive looking.

They may look rather odd hanging from a counter.

As such, some manufacturers spend a bit more time and money on the design of the opener.

They create openers that are small or sleek.

They focus on the presentation of the can opener.

They might even use more expensive materials to give the can opener a better appearance.

Whatever it is that they’re doing, their goal is to make the can opener have a classier design.

They know that some people worry about the can opener throwing off their kitchen’s aesthetic.

As such, some people are willing to pay more for a can opener that matches the kitchen’s aesthetic or at least has an attractive design.

That allows manufacturers to sell certain can openers at more expensive prices.

They may have all the same functions as a standard under-counter can opener, but because they look better and maybe contain better materials on their surface, they come at a higher price.

Under-counter can openers are expensive because better or more attractive designs can add to the cost of producing them.

 

4. Energy-Efficient Can Openers

 

Another feature that adds value to an under-counter can opener is energy efficiency.

The kitchen is one of the places where people use a lot of energy.

They’re running ovens, microwaves, fridges, and various smaller appliances.

In an effort to save on energy, some people want to use energy-efficient appliances.

The benefit of energy-efficient appliances is that they can save the household a bit of money.

Since the appliance doesn’t use as much energy, the household doesn’t have as high of an energy bill.

That also means the appliance is a bit greener.

It doesn’t use as many fossil fuels or energy sources to run.

While energy-efficient can openers can be beneficial, they also tend to be more expensive.

That’s because the manufacturer usually has to take on higher costs to produce an energy-efficient appliance.

It usually requires high-quality materials or parts to work better without requiring more energy.

Since a lot of engineering goes into the product, it has a higher price to offset that cost.

The fact that energy-efficient appliances are in higher demand also results in higher prices.

Under-counter can openers are expensive because energy-efficient models are a bit more expensive to make.

 

5. Durability

 

Because can openers deal with cutting through steel or aluminum, they need to be durable.

If they weren’t, they’d likely struggle to cut through the can.

Under-counter can openers are also automatic.

While there may be some manual openers out there, the majority of under-counter can openers use power to operate.

You simply place the can into the holder, the opener cuts it open for you.

Since it operates on its own, it also has various moving parts.

Those parts need to be durable, too.

Otherwise, they wouldn’t work.

They might become stuck on the lid instead and be unable to overcome the friction or pressure to cut through the lid.

For a can opener to be durable, the manufacturer has to use high-quality parts in its creation.

Since most people want their can openers to work forever, it’s what they expect out of those that they buy.

Manufacturers have to make good on their intentions of making an opener that lasts a long time.

If a can opener isn’t durable, it isn’t going to last long.

Under-counter can openers are expensive because the cost of making them durable can be high.

 

6. High-Quality Blades

 

One of the most important parts of a can opener is its blade.

The blade is responsible for piercing the can’s lid and cutting through it.

The quality of the blade can determine a few things.

For one, it can determine how cleanly it cuts the lid.

When a blade starts to become dull or isn’t of great quality, it might leave jagged edges behind.

It may even fail to cut the lid entirely through.

You might have a lid that’s only cut in sections.

The jagged edges can also prove a danger.

It’s possible to cut yourself on them.

High-quality blades, on the other hand, can cut through a lid cleanly.

It can leave smooth edges that are still sharp but less dangerous than jagged edges.

More importantly, a quality blade ensures the opener can cut through the can easily.

When it’s struggling, it can make the can opener work harder.

That might make it degrade and wear out faster.

The problem with high-quality blades is that they’re more expensive to produce.

Some manufacturers might sink a lot of money into their blades to ensure they’re sharp and strong.

Since it costs them more money to make a high-quality blade, they’re going to put a higher price tag on the can opener.

Under-counter can openers are expensive because high-quality blades cost more money to produce.

 

7. Three-In-One Functionality

 

Some of the most expensive can openers have multiple functions.

You can cut cans, open bottles, and even sharpen blades with them.

Since they provide more services, they’re going to be more expensive.

That’s because the manufacturing costs of three-in-one can openers are higher.

The manufacturer isn’t just making a can opener.

They also have to spend money on making a bottle opener or a blade sharpener.

Since they’re spending more money, they’re offsetting those costs with higher prices.

The three-in-one functionality might also result in a reduction in people buying products.

For example, they might not buy a bottle opener from the company because their can opener has a bottle opener on it.

To ensure they don’t miss out on making money, the company has to cover their losses with higher prices on the can opener.

Three-in-one under-counter can openers are also popular.

People tend to be willing to pay a bit more for a three-in-one can opener since it solves so many problems.

Under-counter can openers are expensive because some have a three-in-one function that is more expensive to produce.

 

8. Installation Costs

 

Some under-counter can openers are quite advanced.

Installing one on the cupboard or counter isn’t always easy.

As such, you might need to hire someone to install it for you.

They can ensure that the opener fastens to the cupboard or counter securely.

That way, you don’t have to worry about it falling and causing an injury.

The problem with installation services is that they can make the can opener even more expensive.

You’re paying for the opener and the installation service.

It essentially makes your can opener more expensive than it was before.

Under-counter can openers are expensive when you need to hire someone to install them in your home.

 

9. Cordless Can Openers

 

Depending on the layout of your kitchen, you might not have an outlet close to the can opener.

Instead of being out of luck, you might want to use a cordless can opener instead.

This type of can opener has a rechargeable battery pack that you can attach to the opener.

When it’s low on power, you simply let it charge again.

The advantage of a cordless can opener is that you can put the opener wherever you want.

You’re no longer reliant on a nearby outlet.

The problem with cordless can openers is that they tend to be a bit expensive.

That’s because they have slightly different manufacturing compared to standard under-counter can openers.

They run on battery power.

You may also have to replace the batteries over time as they lose their charge.

That means you have to keep spending on your can opener over the years.

Under-counter can openers are expensive when they’re cordless versions.

 

10. Compact Size

 

The final reason under-counter can openers are expensive is that some of them come in compact sizes.

Some manufacturers know that their customers have small kitchens.

They don’t have space for a big, bulky can opener.

As such, they make can openers that are quite small.

These types of can openers are expensive because they’re niche and have precise engineering.

The manufacturer has to fit everything inside a smaller housing system.

Since the can opener is primarily geared toward those with small kitchen spaces, those consumers are likely going to buy it even if it’s more expensive.

It fixes a problem that they have.

Under-counter can openers are expensive when they’re compact.