The Crusher (review)

Last week, I purchased a Basic Industries International aluminum can crusher, and installed it in my kitchen. Here in Hawaii, aluminum beverage cans have a 5-cent deposit, and crushing them means I can take more of them to the recycling drop-off in a single trip. "The Crusher" comes in three different models - a single-can open-framework one, an open-framework one with a multi-can chute on top, and a solid-sided one.

After checking them all out at Ace Hardware around the corner, I chose the solid-sided one (model 77701), since it was clearly the only design that could handle cans larger than 12 ounces, and Coca-Cola brands come in 16-ounce cans here. I think it may still not be able to handle the huge Arizona Iced Tea cans, though.

Installation was easy enough, requiring only three rather sturdy screws and a stable place to mount it. I took a few photos and made a single image to show what it is and what it does.

So far I like it, overall. Occasionally a half-crushed can does slip out during the crushing process, but not often. Other than that, and the possible inability to handle giant cans from iced tea that I don't drink anyway, I have no problems with it.