Zyliss 20362 vs Joseph Joseph Can-Do: Lid Handling and Drawer Fit

Once a can of beans is open, the loose lid still needs somewhere to go. That small task helps separate the Zyliss Lock N' Lift 20362 from the green Joseph Joseph Can-Do 20005. Both open ordinary food cans by hand, but the Zyliss pairs locking handles with magnetic lifting, while the Can-Do combines a compact top twist with a separate lid-release button.

The lid after the cut

Zyliss documents a built-in magnet intended to lift the separated lid. That gives the tool a useful job after cutting: it can help move the lid toward disposal without a finger-and-thumb pinch on the edge. Check that the lid is actually attached before moving it, and keep the can stable while you lift.

The Can-Do handles this part of the job differently. Joseph Joseph says its design dispenses with magnets and uses a button to release the lid. The side control gives you a distinct final action while keeping lid release within the small body of the opener.

If picking up the lid is the part you dislike, the Zyliss's magnetic aid is a concrete reason to consider it. The Can-Do offers release control in its compact format. Neither feature establishes a touch-safe edge: Zyliss describes a wheel that pierces and cuts the lid, and a release button on the Can-Do should not be treated as a smooth-edge guarantee.

Two ways to hold a manual opener

With the Zyliss, squeeze the soft-touch handles to engage the cutting wheel and lock the tool onto the can. The lock keeps that engagement while you turn the side crank. This separates the initial squeeze from continued turning, which can suit someone who wants a handled opener without continually coordinating those two actions.

The Can-Do starts with a different hand position. Place it on top of the can and turn the upper control; the mechanism grips the can edge as twisting begins. There is no separate pair of long handles to squeeze together. That is a useful setup difference if you prefer one turning control to a handle-and-crank arrangement.

These are different grip layouts, so consider the movement you prefer. The Zyliss gives one hand a longer handle to hold while the other turns beside it. The Can-Do concentrates the turning action above the can. A small body can be convenient to store yet less appealing if you prefer a long handle as a holding surface.

The word automatic in the Can-Do description applies to gripping the rim as you twist. Both tools still require repeated hand turning, and the can needs stable support. A locking mechanism or larger control alone cannot tell you how much force a particular can will take. If turning itself is the obstacle, neither design removes that task.

Space in the drawer, care at the sink

The Can-Do's round body has no long squeeze handles to arrange around other utensils. Joseph Joseph lists it at H5.2 × W6.7 × D5.2 cm, also giving approximate dimensions of 2 × 2¾ × 2 inches. Use those measurements to check a particular compartment and the clearance beneath the drawer above.

The Zyliss has a more elongated handle-and-crank shape, visible in the product photographs. Compare that outline with the space you currently give your opener, and allow for the side crank as well as the handles. Leave enough room to lift it out without having to rearrange the tools beside it.

Clean the Can-Do by wiping it with a damp cloth, following Joseph Joseph's instructions. The maker rules out immersion, so keep it out of any bowl used for soaking utensils. For Zyliss, follow the care information supplied with your 20362 before choosing a cleaning method.

Choose the Zyliss when retained clamping and magnetic lid pickup are the two features you will use. Choose the Can-Do when twist-activated engagement and a small storage footprint better match your kitchen, and its wipe-only care fits your routine.