# Tell us about a product that you were pleasantly surprised by its usefulness **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 19, 2022, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-a-product-that-you-were-pleasantly-surprised-by-its-usefulness/971838 "2022-09-19T16:15:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2022, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-a-product-that-you-were-pleasantly-surprised-by-its-usefulness/971838/61 "2022-10-05T14:16:13Z")
The BEST can opener IMO is the one from Pampered Chef. The first one I had lasted for about 20 years! It recently crapped out. I bought one from Walmart (name brand) that did not work well at all. So I ordered another one from Pampered Chef. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2022, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-a-product-that-you-were-pleasantly-surprised-by-its-usefulness/971838/62 "2022-10-05T14:40:38Z")
Thanks. I’ll keep that name in mind in case my currently good one suffers an untimely death. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2022, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-a-product-that-you-were-pleasantly-surprised-by-its-usefulness/971838/63 "2022-10-05T15:10:02Z")
You seem pretty attached to that thing. I’d buy a spare or two if I were you. I bought one of those ones that pulls the whole top off rather than the old style that cuts out the inside of the top and leaves a sharp edge. It takes like five tries to work though and I hate it. I only have to open like three cans a year though. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2022, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-a-product-that-you-were-pleasantly-surprised-by-its-usefulness/971838/64 "2022-10-05T15:38:25Z")
I have one of those and I hater that MFer. mmm ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2022, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-a-product-that-you-were-pleasantly-surprised-by-its-usefulness/971838/65 "2022-10-05T15:44:06Z")
I recommend the OXO version of the one you guys have; it works great. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2022, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-a-product-that-you-were-pleasantly-surprised-by-its-usefulness/971838/66 "2022-10-05T15:45:48Z")
OXO _anything_ is going to be great! Quality products all. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2022, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-a-product-that-you-were-pleasantly-surprised-by-its-usefulness/971838/67 "2022-10-05T15:50:05Z")
I agree about OXO generally but I do have the OXO version of the can opener. Maybe it’s user error. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.winston_oboogie/32/2945_2.png) [@Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Winston_OBoogie)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2022, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-a-product-that-you-were-pleasantly-surprised-by-its-usefulness/971838/68 "2022-10-05T16:34:22Z")
Two cooking related ones: Last Christmas, my FIL gave us a toaster oven / air fryer / rotisserie. I was skeptical at first (and partially correct). It is used daily as a toaster (and a regular toaster works better). It is used almost daily as an air-fryer. It is used every other week or so as a rotisserie. Trust me - the only way to have a beef roast. Then, for Father’s Day, my family gave me a propane griddle. Not a grill, a flat-top. Again, a bit skeptical on how much it would be used. Yeah, the obvious is you can do bacon and pancakes at the same time. I’ve actually found it’s GREAT for zucchini / squash; I can do breaded eggplant quicker and less oil than in a pan. There’s still something about grilled steaks/hamburgers/etc., but I’ve done some good chicken breasts on the flattop. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2022, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-a-product-that-you-were-pleasantly-surprised-by-its-usefulness/971838/69 "2022-10-05T16:40:21Z")
On that note… a mulching mower was far more useful than I ever imagined. Growing up, our mower had a side chute where clippings shot out, and we could attach a bag to it if we wanted to. But being in Houston, where it was both hot and relatively rainy, bagging was a major chore, and I usually just let the clippings shoot out and then just sort of went back and raked them out of being windrows that would kill the grass. I was _sure_ a mulching mower would just bog down in grass like that. But I was pleasantly surprised at how useful they are- no need to actually bag grass, rake leaves, etc… just mow over it all, and it ends up being mulch/fertilizer/compost for the grass and trees. Another one is the bottle-washing nozzles on our dishwasher top rack. I was sure they were going to be a rather useless feature, but it turns out they’re stellar for getting up into pitchers, water bottles, deep pans, etc… ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2022, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-a-product-that-you-were-pleasantly-surprised-by-its-usefulness/971838/70 "2022-10-05T16:44:45Z")
How do the bottle-washing nozzles work? Or can you tell me the model number of your dishwasher? I want to look at the product sheet or manual. (Just curious how this would work.) ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2022, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-a-product-that-you-were-pleasantly-surprised-by-its-usefulness/971838/71 "2022-10-05T16:51:42Z")
It’s a KitchenAid KDPE334GPS0. Here’s an example of the bottle-washing feature: [Kitchenaid KDPE334GPS 39 Dba Dishwasher With Fan-enabled Prodry System, Pocket Handle Stainless Steel With Printshield Finish (plessers.com)](https://www.plessers.com/Kitchenaid/kdpe334gps.htm) and a bigger version of the image (you can see how they rotate up and spray the inside of the bottle): [frdeueuqhaqn.jpg (1000×666) (plessers.com)](https://www.plessers.com/photos/feature_images/frdeueuqhaqn.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2022, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-a-product-that-you-were-pleasantly-surprised-by-its-usefulness/971838/72 "2022-10-05T17:03:39Z")
Wrap-Tastic plastic wrap dispenser. It really works as advertised. To the inevitable naysayers- yes, I looked for a brand with the slide cutter on the box. I have found none locally, and I don’t have a Costco membership. The 200+ mile round trip to the nearest Costco negates any advantages it may have. ---
**Author:** ![saje](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saje/32/3631_2.png) [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2022, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-a-product-that-you-were-pleasantly-surprised-by-its-usefulness/971838/73 "2022-10-05T17:17:53Z")
> [@Llama\_Llogophile](#): > > > [@Jasmine](#): > > > > Well, a few years ago I suddenly ran into a problem getting a manual can opener that actually worked right > > OK, it’s not just me. After having the same can opener for a couple of decades, I replaced it… and went through three in just a few months. Disheartening. I feel a lot less crazy now! I had the same thing, and I even bought good ones, not just cheapie dollar store versions. This was pre-covid too, so no (apparent) excuses for crap materials. I too found one that works like it ought to, and am babying the thing 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Bookkeeper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bookkeeper/32/281_2.png) [@Bookkeeper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bookkeeper)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2022, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-a-product-that-you-were-pleasantly-surprised-by-its-usefulness/971838/74 "2022-10-05T20:33:47Z")
I agree about the mulching mower. I’ve used mine for over 20 years and wouldn’t go back to a regular one. Mine has a flip-over handle too, which are almost impossible to find now. I don’t look forward to when I have to replace this one. I make plastic models and a tool that I’ve seen a lot of in modelling mags are punch and die tools, used for punching shapes out of plastic card. I was skeptical about the need for this sort of thing, but finally decided to buy a couple (one for round discs, one for hex shapes) and they are da bomb! I used the hex tool to make bolt heads for the visible ends of the track retention bolts missing from the track links on a model Kettenkrad - 88 identical hex bolt heads in about an hour, and the assembled track looks fantastic! (Yes I have AMS - Advanced Modeller Sysndrome.) ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2022, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-a-product-that-you-were-pleasantly-surprised-by-its-usefulness/971838/75 "2022-10-05T21:49:44Z")
> [@kayT](#): > > I recommend the OXO version of the one you guys have; it works great. > [@hajario](#): > > I agree about OXO generally but I do have the OXO version of the can opener. Maybe it’s user error. Mine is this guy, Farberware. [https://imgur.com/spxDX3Z](https://imgur.com/spxDX3Z) ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2022, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-a-product-that-you-were-pleasantly-surprised-by-its-usefulness/971838/76 "2022-10-06T00:13:09Z")
Oh [this](https://www.oxo.com/smooth-edge-can-opener.html) is the type I’m talking about. (I didn’t know I couldn’t copy a picture here but anyway that’s a link to the oxo website.) ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2022, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-a-product-that-you-were-pleasantly-surprised-by-its-usefulness/971838/77 "2022-10-06T00:36:31Z")
That’s the exact one that I have and I am simply incapable of making it work well. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2022, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-a-product-that-you-were-pleasantly-surprised-by-its-usefulness/971838/78 "2022-10-06T00:42:14Z")
I discovered the problem with that kind of opener the first time I opened a can of tuna with it. I use the top of the can to squeeze out the excess water, and you can’t do that with a can opened that way. Since tuna is a significant portion of the cans I open, that opener got pushed to the back of the drawer, and I think I gave it away last time we moved. ---
**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2022, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-a-product-that-you-were-pleasantly-surprised-by-its-usefulness/971838/79 "2022-10-06T14:50:17Z")
I also have the OXO smooth edge opener and I love it. ---
**Author:** ![mundylion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mundylion/32/3604_2.png) [@mundylion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mundylion)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2022, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-a-product-that-you-were-pleasantly-surprised-by-its-usefulness/971838/80 "2022-12-26T20:56:41Z")
My old opener finally died so I looked around and found that the OXO was rated the best, so I bought it. My wife could never get it to work so hates me, and I have to try three times to get the thing to properly grasp the can ledge. Once you catch it, the can opener works but I hate the thing. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-a-product-that-you-were-pleasantly-surprised-by-its-usefulness/971838.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-about-a-product-that-you-were-pleasantly-surprised-by-its-usefulness/971838.md?page=5)