Opening Aluminum Cans Made Easy
Introduction
You may be asking yourself just what good is a can crusher? Well, the answer is very simple. If you drink a lot of soda or beer, by crushing the aluminum cans you can place more of them in the garbage bin. Also, help save the environment by recycling the cans. In some local areas, you can get paid for recycling them. The best metal crusher can help you to select the best can crusher on the market.
If your family uses a lot of cans, having a can crusher is a must. There are two types of can crushers – single and multiple. The most popular is the single model can crusher. What is nice about them is they take up little space and can be placed anywhere it’s convenient, usually in the kitchen. This will be a kitchen tool you will be using a lot as time goes on. Especially with large families that likes to drink soda or beer.
Another factor to consider is can crushers come in two groups. They can be installed in vertical or horizontal position. Most popular models are the vertical can crushers. They can be placed on a wall where you can place the garbage bin directly under the crusher so compressed cans will be disposed immediately after crushing. The models that are listed below are all vertical.
Horizontal crushes are usually installed to horizontal surfaces like a table. They also can be used in your backyard since you don’t have a wall to attach it too.
Young and old alike can use the can crusher. They also make for great gifts throughout the year.
Places To Use A Can Crusher
Basically, you can use a can crusher in public places, or places around the home. Don’t forget the backyard if you have a pool or a backyard party. You can even use it in the garage. Areas where lots of people will be drinking lots of soda and beer as the empty cans will be accumulating. So, having a can crusher will save you lots of garbage bags. Another way to crush the cans it to place them in a large bag and take the bag inside to crush the cans.
Can Crusher Maintenance
As with any tool, a can crusher will require some maintenance. Can crushers are excellent instruments for compacting aluminum cans, and suitable crushers will operate flawlessly for many years. However, can crushers occasionally require maintenance such as cleaning, inspection and repairs, and lubrication of moving components. This we will cover here.
Cleaning
Crushing just a few cans a week may not pose an issue with liquid in the can. Cleaning will be required if you need to crush many cans due a party or a celebration.
There are two main reasons for cleaning.
First, if the can crusher has not been cleaned for an extended period, various liquids from empty cans might injure it. In time these substances will eventually get sticky and will restrict the movement of the crusher components if they get into hinges and other moving parts.
The second reason has to do with your comfort. If you do a routine cleaning you will never have to worry about your crusher not functioning properly. Cleaning the crusher is very simple, after crushing cans and you notice any liquid anywhere on the crusher, just take a damp towel to wipe them off.
Doing this will avoid any unwanted odors.
Examine The Crusher
Periodically, inspect all of the crusher’s components, including the body, leveler, hinges, crushing plate, and other elements, for any cracks, bent or broken pieces, or other types of damage. If the damage is not too severe or expensive to repair, you might not need to replace the damaged pieces or the entire crusher.
As you are inspecting the crusher look for any rust on metal components. Metal parts can rust if used outside or not cleaned after use.
Can crushers must have their hinges in good working order and free of corrosion. Don’t neglect this step.
Lubrication
The can crusher requires frequent lubrication, which is highly crucial. All moving components of your can crusher must be lubricated, primarily the hinges and crushing mechanism with a leveler.
You can use WD-40 to lubricate the moving can crusher’s parts. Use a rag or towel to prevent any oil from dropping on the floor or the area where the crusher is residing.
The Five Best Can Crushers
Below are the five best can crushers based on reviews and ratings of the products. Images of the products follow the review. Just click on the image where you can purchase the product on Amazon.
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1. The Crusher 77701 Can Compactor
Reviews: 9,491+ Rating: 4.7
PROS
- Crushes 12 & 16 oz. aluminum cans
- Crushes cans to 1-inch size
- Does not need to be mounted to work
CONS
- Made in Mexico
- Does not crush cans larger than 16 ounces
- Does not automatically eject can
- Crushes only aluminum cans and not plastic bottles
The Crusher 77701 Compactor
2. Dial Industries Easy Pull Can Crusher
Reviews: 2,317+ Rating: 4.6
PROS
- Dispenses can after crushing
- Made in the USA
- Safe for kids
- Easy to use
CONS
- Does not crush plastic bottles
- Must be mounted before use
Dial Industries Easy Pull Aluminum Crusher
3. Master Crush Aluminum Can Crusher
Reviews: 768+ Rating: 4.6
PROS
- Crushes aluminum can sizes up to 32 ounces
- Crushes water bottles
- Foam non-slip handle
- Made in the USA
CONS
-
- Must be mounted before use
- Crushes one can at a time
MasterCrush Aluminum Can Crusher
4. Dial Industries Aluminum Can Crusher
Reviews: 469+ Rating: 4.3
PROS
- Patented pivoting mechanical system
- Made in the USA
- Child safety stops fingers from getting pinched
- Rotating hand grip for comfort
- Turns 4 bags of cans into 1 bag
- Crushes beer or soda cans
- Auto dispensing so cans drop automatically in to the collection bin
CONS
- Does not crush plastic bottles
- Crushes only cans up to 12 oz. and they must be aluminum
Dial Industries Aluminum Can Crusher
5. Ram Pro 12 Oz. Crusher
Reviews: 9,920+ Rating: 4.1
PROS
- Crushes aluminum cans up to 12 oz. sizes
- Crushes cans to 20% of original size
- Easy safe soft grip
- Built-in bottle opener
CONS
- Must be mounted before use
- Crushes one can at a time
- Crushes only aluminum cans
- Does not crush plastic bottles
RamPro Aluminum Can Crusher
Questions About Can Crushers
How many empty aluminum cans make a pound? Answer: About 24 empty aluminum cans makes a pound.
What is the point of a can crusher? Answer: Can crushers are used for crushing empty aluminum cans which makes for easier recycling. A can crusher can save you significant time and space in the garbage bin. Some locations have recycling areas to return aluminum cans for money.
Can Crushers are used for crushing empty, full, half-full, line rejects, or off date products aluminum or steel cans for easier recycling. A can crusher can save you a significant amount of time and space. Using a can crusher to reduce the capacity of waste materials means cutting the expense of waste transport.
How much does a garbage bag of crushed aluminum cans weight? Answer: We are assuming this is aluminum cans. A garbage bag that’s full of cans can weight about 40 pounds assuming the average aluminum can weigh about 0.5 ounces.
Does crushing cans make them heavier? Answer: The short answer is no. Most people crush cans so they can fit more into the garbage bag.
Conclusion
As you can see, if you use lots of aluminum cans day after day, having a can crusher can be a life saver. Especially those with large families. They are not very expensive and over the long run will help the environment because they reduce the size of the cans to 20 – 25% of their original size. You can get more into the garbage bag than placing the full can into it.
Happy can crushing!
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