Customer Reviews

Black & Decker GC200 Gizmo Cordless Can Opener

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I've had mine for 5 years. I love it and didn't want to see it go. However, the battery no longer holds a charge. But with a little creativity it's pretty easy to change it to use two AA rechargeable batteries (B&D does not sell battery replacements). Now it's good as new again. Since these use nicad Batteries, they have a bad memory affect, and if not discharged fully will no longer hold a full charge or even operate plugged in over time. To change out the battery, open the egg shaped unit with the two screws, remove the battery pack, get an AA cell holder from radio shack (make sure the batteries are wired in series- ask the guy at RS if you have any questions or take the battery pack with you) wire it in to the existing battery leads. Now remove a small inner part of the plastic casing on the non battery side which goes up against the battery (since the battery pack is now larger, the casing needs this slight mod. A Dremel works good for this. Add a couple of rechargeables, and enjoy for another five years. Next time you'll just have to replace the batteries. This is a about a 10 minute job.

I've only got use of one hand, that makes standard can opening impossible. This product is very easy to use I love it!

This is the absolute worst can opener I've ever owned. Three of us spent the better part of 20 minutes trying to open a can with it. We could not even get the can started. Every time you try to use it, the thing falls apart on you. It comes in a cool container & has a great name, but it's a piece of junk! This has to be the worse Christmas present I ever got. It's going in the garage sale this spring. Shame on you, Black & Decker for making such junk!

This Gizmo has been a disaster, just like the Gemlin character of the same name. Initially, I was very happy to get this can opener. It looked like quality. That was the last positive feeling I had about it.

I ordered Gizmo from Amazon.com. I received Gizmo from OrangeOnions.com. Since I use Amazon for other things, I am familiar with ordering from them but know they are the middleman. No problem - for now.

The initial charge takes 24 hours - not a bad exchange for a month's worth of can opening. The following day, I was ready to open cans. As I started to attach the Gizmo to the first can, the removable blade (for easy clean-up) fell off. Three times. After retrieving it three times, I finally got Gizmo attached to the can. By the way, this is not a light-weight unit, which was proved when I attempted the "hands-off" approach to can opening. The can tipped over from the weight of the opener, spilling liquid all over my counter.

I grabbed and righted the can before it could hit the floor, removed Gizmo, picked up the blade attachment which fell off, reattached the Gizmo to the can, and watched as it walked around the can. Since I now had a firm grip on the can to prevent a repeat of (see above), I had to rotate my hand around the can as it was chased (at low speed) by Gizmo.

Ah! The can was open. Gizmo automatically shut off. I lifted Gizmo, with can lid attached by the nifty magnetic lid disposer, away from the can. The blade attachment stayed on the opener - TG. I was making progress. Over to the trash can, Gizmo with attached can lid in hand, opened the trash can, pushed the button to release the lid. Oops. Pulled the button to release the lid. Better, but still attached. Grabbed the lid and pulled. It came loose, but now I've got bean juice all over my fingers and am holding a sticky lid, and I have defeated the purpose of the "easy-to-release lid disposer." So, I stuck the lid back onto Gizmo, back over the trash can, and gave a quick yank on the lid release button. The lid flew off, but, overcoming the laws of physics, came nowhere close to the trash can. After chasing the lid which had rolled under a counter, and cleaning up the subsequent trail of bean juice, I was done with opening cans for the day.

The next day, I decided that it was my novice experience with Gizmo that was the problem, not the can opener itself. I decided to use Gizmo to open another can. After two attempts at fastening Gizmo to the can, and two reattachments of the blade assembly, I had Gizmo ready to go. One push down on the on-button and... no power. The battery was dead. Nothing. Zip. Nada! Note to Black & Decker: I did NOT get a month's worth of open cans in one day.

Back into the charger (which is still laying on the floor under the wall socket) for another 24 hours. The next day, I removed Gizmo from the charger, but, having no cans which required opening, I left it laying on the counter. Another day gone by, and another can to open. Same attaching routine, same dead battery. Much darker mood. I am not having fun.

The note that came with the product said not to return it to place of purchase, but contact Black and Decker. I did this via B&D's website, customer service. First, I had to register Gizmo. Then, I had to write about my Gizmo woes. A very friendly consumer website, but not really B&D's. They have another company, Aplica, handling their customer service. Aplica is Johnny-on-the-spot, though, and in two days I had received a response from them. They needed all the information that I had just given them while registering Gizmo. I responded with the requested information.

One more day and Aplica gave me another response. This one I really did NOT like, and is the specific reason, all other ills aside, I rated this product, and Amazon, and OrangeOnions, so low. In sending Aplica the product information, I immediately noticed that the model number I ordered (GC200) and the model number I had received (EM100) wasn't the same. But, I thought, just an inventory glitch, and the product looked exactly like the picture on the website. Now, however, Aplica informs me that the product model I have is no longer available. In fact, it's not even made any longer. But, they will send me a new battery and a new charger. Replace the original stuff, Aplica told me, and see if my (outmoded) Gizmo works. If it doesn't work, Aplica will provide me with a new, updated, current model.

So, the bottom line is this: I've been had. Although the model number shown and ordered is one thing, what I got was something else. Amazon's fault? I don't know. Maybe they just go by what OrangeOnions tells them. But, somewhere, some body has to take responsibility for duping this particular consumer with an out-of-production model of a supposedly superior walk-around can opener. And, one that's been in inventory so long that its rechargeable battery won't even charge.

This may have, at one time, been a good can opener. Even a superior can opener. A fun can opener, but.... Bad business, Amazon. And, one I cannot recommend to my family, friends, and neighbors, or anyone reading this review. Thumbs down, Roger!

I bought this because I made the mistake of assuming it was just a redesign of B&D previous cordless can opener. I had one of those for several years and really liked it. Well this one is just a bad design from the word go. It falls apart in your hand, cannot be charged while in it's holder and is hard to mount.

As soon as I find another under the counter cordless can opener - this is gone.

I only have two complaints. One, it is a bit difficult to get seated properly so as to begin the opening process and two, the conveniently removable cutting blade removes a bit too easy. It frequently comes off as it is easier to remove the entire cutting blade than it is to remove the lid from the magnet holding the lid after being cut. Otherwise, it lives up to its claims. It is easily portable and goes hands free around the can. It works well both mounted under a cabinet and as a cordless, portable unit.

This is our second Gizmo. The first one got fried because of a faulty home wiring job. We couldn't find a replacement at any retail store. They all had the One touch opener. Since the One Touch is not rechargeable, we preferred the Gizmo. We found it on the internet. We think it is the best of its kind. We're very pleased.

Some early problems with opening cans, but after several tries learned how to properly puncture can lid while maintaining bite on the rim - great portability and holds charge for many openings. Bought one for mom and she likes it.

I have had this can opener less than a year and the battery will not hold a charge. Even if I leave it plugged in, this junky can opener will not open even 1 can. STAY AWAY from this one. I am very disappointed in Black and Decker with this product.

I was given my Gizmo as a Christmas present from my mother who already had one about 7 years or so ago. Before this I was using the old school hand crank models and I would be exhausted after making a pot of chili! I had to overcome the learning curve I hear others upset about, getting it to attach. However once you have the technique, it is like riding a bike. I have used mine for the entirety of the 7 years and love it! It is now getting to where the battery isn't charging well anymore. It will get through 3-4 cans, but I haven't pushed it farther than that. I appreciate the post by the user who changed the battery...I will try that today! I have a Radio Shack right next door. I hope they can help. I have been looking to replace it, but the priced have obviously gone WAY overboard! I mean, I am sure that my Mom, bless her stingy heart, did NOT pay $100 once, let alone twice for a can opener! It has lasted and works great, sure. But it doesn't spin gold or anything!