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Something fast for the food entrepreneur

Commercial can openers are all about service and efficiency. The ordinary handheld or kitchen-counter opener may be fine for that can of pet food or tuna, but restaurants and cafeterias have more plates to fill and bigger cans to open. Yet just like the household device, a commercial opener comes in a variety of styles suited for its work environment.

Crank it on the side

If you've worked in a restaurant, you've probably seen a crank-like appliance bolted to the side of a stainless steel or butcher counter-top. These manual openers may use the counter surface for a base or the user must hold the can while opening. Adjustment clamps allow for a variety of can sizes, and the large crank provides easy power for opening industrial cans. A CanPro # 572-002 ($380) opens up to 13 inches, is dishwasher-safe, and prevents the lid from dropping into the can. Edlund's Deluxe # 745-037 ($400-558) is also dishwasher-safe but has a pull pin for cleaning and replacing the blade.

Electrify the kitchen

A more mobile and less laborious alternative is an industrial electric opener. The Edlund 266 ($500) opens four to seven cans per minute, 75 cans daily. Some electric options like the 266 are equipped with spring-loaded cutting mechanisms for dented or damaged cans that can trip a manual opener.

Punch it!

Campers use a pierce blade, but restaurants without Goliath employees need powerful crown punchers. These open cans with a single stroke! The speed and convenience comes with a hefty price tag, often over $1,000, so weigh necessity for 200 opened cans a day against slower, less expensive alternatives.

Clean it up

No matter the commercial opener, sanitation and maintenance are important to both the device and food preparation. Most commercial designs have this in mind, so you should be able to find removable blades and dishwasher-safe models.