The days of stomping on your aluminum cans to flatten them out are thankfully over – the soles of your shoes will thank you. These days, can crushers are affordable to buy and safe to operate. Here are several models we recommend.
Works on plastic, too
This wall-mounted lever crusher reduces cans to 20 percent of their original size. It also comes with a bottle opener at its base, which is a nice extra. Made up of two parts, it is simple and sturdy and gets the job done efficiently. The McKay works on plastic as well. It can crush a 20-ounce plastic bottle down to a 1-inch thickness.
Slip-resistant design
Similar to the McKay model, this Delta entry features a heavy 16 gauge durable all-steel body that is designed not to break or bend no matter how many cans run through it. Despite its strength, it has a soft hand-forgiving grip that’s made of a non-slip material designed to avoid accidents. It’s an easy install, too, and can be readily mounted to your wall for convenient access.
Rubber base for stability
The base of this crusher is rubber-lined, so cans won’t pop out when you’re reducing them. Wall-mountable, it’s built to stick around, with thick sheet metal construction and reinforced with heavy metal hardware. Works for 12-ounce and 16-ounce cans. Its sturdy construction and force capacity allow for cans to be reduced to an inch in height.
Push-button efficiency
Oh, the features! This pneumatic cylinder model is loaded with them, beginning with the little button that does all the work for you. With a touch of your finger, it unleashes 100 psi of air pressure, reducing your can to one inch thickness. Another feature to like: there’s a safety mechanical valve that protects against accidental activation and injury. A special rubber spacer is included to press the valve.
Upgraded handle
Another wall-mountable model, this well-built crusher has been doing the job for a while and has undergone some nice upgrades over the years. While it’s already made of thick quality steel, the most recent advancement adds a 20 percent increase in the iron handle’s thickness, which is enveloped by a cushioned grip for greater comfort. It makes crushing cans that much easier, reducing them to one inch in height with the flick of a wrist. Another nice touch is the inclusion of lubricating oil to assure the product’s longevity.
S. Ruxton is a contributing writer to Florida Travel & Life, an online brand that inspires active, affluent travelers, providing them with insider information on discovering the best of Florida. Informative and engaging, the website showcases travel destinations, arts and cultural venues, vibrant dining scenes, recreational activities, the great outdoors and the revitalized real-estate market. A former baseball writer, S. Ruxton loves to revisit the smaller Gulf towns of Clearwater, Dunedin, and Bradenton. Historic Winter Park is also a favorite destination.
