The best crab crackers are designed to crack open seafood like Alaskan snow crabs or stone crab claws like a pro. With an efficient pair of crab opening tools, you can spend more time enjoying your seafood rather than opening it.
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Crab Crackers Comparison Table
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Our Reviews: 7 Top Crab Crackers
Crab cracker
Finding the best seafood tools can make a big difference in your homemade meals. Opening crabs and other hard-shelled seafood should be quick and easy. You need crab crackers that are designed for efficiency and made for anyone’s use. Since there are many options on the market, we narrowed our selections down by evaluating price, value, durability and ease of use.
Many of these seafood crackers combine durable metals with an effective hinge design and different knurling patterns for the best results. With the right crab cracker, opening crabs and seafood at home will be a breeze.
1. Hiware 20pcs Seafood Tools Set with Storage Bag
The Toadfish Coastal Kitchen Collection is one of the best options available on the market. It is a set of three tools that you commonly need for seafood meals. There is a crab cracker, oyster knife, and shrimp cleaner delivered in an artful box complete with instructions. All the tools feature an attractive blue padded handle design, and they’re made of polished stainless steel.
The designs are effective and attractive, making them more enjoyable to use. These tools will elevate the experience at a dinner party and make it feel more like a special occasion. The utensils used for opening hard-shelled seafood have evolved as well. Previous designs were more rudimentary, which made them more dangerous and harder to use. But Toadfish’s cutting-edge, patented designs make preparing seafood simple, safer and effortless.
Key Details
The crab claw cracker included in the set can break the shell without damaging the meat. It does this by spreading pressure around the shell evenly causing it to crack without forcing it into the meat. Therefore, you can enjoy seafood without having to pick shells out of it first.
The shrimp tool allows you to peel, de-vein and butterfly shrimp in one single motion. You’ll get ready to eat shrimp every time which is perfect for large family dinners or parties. The oyster knife has a bent tip design and handles made from recycled plastic bottles. You’ll be able to open oysters quickly and easily.
Overall, this set is convenient to have on hand for everyday seafood meals, holidays or special occasions. It’s also backed by a limited one year manufacturer warranty against defects.
Pros
- Versatile set for your seafood needs.
- Durable construction with innovative, patented designs.
- 1 year limited manufacturer’s warranty.
Cons
- Small crevices may be harder to clean.
- Not dishwasher safe.
- Pricey.
2. Best Budget Pick-Ajmyonsp 12 Pcs Seafood Tools Kit
This 12 piece set from Ajmyonsp is a great option for families who eat a lot of seafood. It comes with two crab legs crackers, four red lobster knives and six stainless steel crab leg forks. Crab crackers have stayed consistent in their design for a long time. The original designs worked well and many people became used to them.
However, the traditional design uses an outside hinge rather than the inside hinge of the modern design. The crab crackers in this set are designed with a durable hinge and jagged teeth. You can easily crack the shell without affecting the crab meat. You don’t need to be concerned with any shells getting inside the crab meat when using this cracker. These crab eating tools have a two-size design.
Therefore, you can crack larger and smaller crab shells with the same tool. The end of the larger clamp is rounded so that you can’t close the cracker on your fingers.
Key Details
The thicker frame is made out of a durable zinc alloy. So these crackers are resistant to breaking, scratching, and rust. You also get lobster knives and combination crab forks and spoons with this set. The forks come in handy when you’re trying to reach small crevices to access meat so nothing gets missed and wasted.
The knives are great for cracking and peeling tough crab legs and claws to get the meat out. This set is large enough for a family of four to six people. It is also the perfect set to give as a gift for a housewarming, holiday or birthday party. You can clean these utensils in warm, soapy water by hand for best results.
Lastly, this product comes with a 100% money back guarantee.
Pros
- Durable construction.
- Set is perfect for a family of 4-6.
- 100% money back guarantee.
Cons
- Harder to use for small hands.
- Lobster knives are plastic.
- Tougher to use on smaller crabs.
3. Hiware Lobster Crackers and Picks Set
This 10 piece set from Hiware includes two shell crackers and eight forks. The crackers are made of die-cast zinc alloy so they’re strong and durable. Zinc is also resistant to rusting so you don’t have to worry about them wearing out over time.
These crackers have a thicker and heavier design to give you more leverage. The weight has been increased by 1.5 times the previous design making them much stronger. This extra weight lends itself to breaking through shells.
Therefore, you don’t have to squeeze as hard to get the same results.
Key Details
These crackers can handle tough, large crab legs and lobster claws with ease. So you won’t struggle with seafood shells with a set like this.
The forks are made of stainless steel and can easily reach small crevices for hard to get meat. They’re also ideal for serving the seafood right in the shell. Cleaning this set is easy since it’s dishwasher safe. It also comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Pros
- Heavier design cracks shells better.
- Crackers are resistant to rust and scratches.
- 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Cons
- Heavier weight.
- Thicker design may be hard to hold for some.
- Hinge durability could be improved.
4. Aozita Seafood Tools Set
If you have a family of four or more, then you should consider this set from Aozita. It includes four shell crackers and four stainless steel forks. The crackers are made of die-cast zinc alloy. Die-casting is more effective at retaining the full strength of materials. There are two zinc pieces held together by a single hinge. This makes them strong enough to break shells with ease. Plus, the high durability of the zinc components makes them long-lasting.
Key Details
The forks are made of high quality food grade stainless steel. They’re perfect for reaching those small crevices to access the meat inside. The biggest benefit is that there are four of each tool in this set.
Therefore, everyone has their own cracker and fork. So no one has to worry about sharing. Cleaning this set is simple. You can wash the utensils in warm, soapy water for best results. Lastly, this set comes with a two year warranty.
Pros
- Heavy duty and durable.
- Enough utensils included for a family of four.
- Two-year warranty.
Cons
- Hinge is weaker than the rest of the cracker.
- Unpadded handle may be uncomfortable.
- Traditional design may be hard to use for some.
5. Bili-Silly 9pcs Seafood Tools Set
This seafood set made by Solula comes with three seafood crackers alongside three forks. The crackers are made of durable zinc alloy while the forks are stainless steel. The cracker’s teeth are very sharp and the handles are easy to grip.
Breaking through tough legs and claws is easy and uncomplicated. Solula’s crab forks have a unique design. The head of the fork is two-pronged and small. Therefore, it can reach into these small areas and pull out the hard-to-get-to meat.
Key Details
The two prongs gently grab and pull out the meat so that you can get larger pieces. The other end of the crab fork is shaped like a regular spoon. In most cases, this shape would be adjusted to look more like a spade or a rounded plank. While useful, these designs make it more difficult to hold pieces.
The Solula spoon’s shape looks and feels more like a regular spoon. You can use it to dip the seafood into any condiments before you taste them which is convenient. You can clean this set by handwashing all the seafood utensils in warm water with soap. Lastly, there is no warranty information readily available. You should contact the manufacturer directly for details.
Pros
- Crab spoon design is easy to use.
- Crackers break through shells with ease.
- Good value for reasonable price.
Cons
- Small size makes larger crabs difficult to crack.
- Forks are very thin.
- Warranty, if any, is difficult to determine.
6. Artcome 21 Pcs Seafood Tools Set with Crab Mallet
A set like the Crabaholik makes eating shellfish much easier. It comes with all the necessary utensils including: two zinc alloy crab legs crackers, four knives, four stainless steel crab leg forks and two ceramic butter melter dishes with stand. The cracker’s heavy duty construction makes breaking through claws and legs a breeze.
You can also use the crab crackers as nut crackers too. The forks are designed to reach into crevices to pull out the crab or lobster meat with ease. The butter warmers that come with this set can keep your butter warm while you open your crabs or lobster. They are candle heated so that they work anywhere.
Key Details
The ceramic bowls heat easily and retain heat for a long time. They are also durable and can be used for a variety of other sauces. The amount of supplies in this set is just right for a family of four.
Everyone gets a lobster knife and a crab fork/spoon. The butter warmers and the crab crackers can be shared. All the utensils in this set are dishwasher safe so clean up is easy. Lastly, this set comes with a 100% money back guarantee.
Pros
- Ceramic warmers keep butter and sauces hot.
- Crackers can be used for seafood or hard nuts like walnuts.
- 100% money back guarantee.
Cons
- Only two warmers included.
- Warmer candles must be replaced.
- Only comes with two crackers.
7. Artcome 20 Pcs Seafood Tools Set
The Artcome 20 piece set is a good solution for large families or for people who do a lot of entertaining. This set comes with six crackers and shellers along with eight crab forks. There’s also a handy flannel bag that’s included to store the whole set for added convenience.
The crab crackers are made of sturdy zinc alloy while the forks are made of stainless steel. The crackers are great for breaking through tough crab and lobster shells along with other shell fish and even oysters. The forks make it easy to release the meat in the claws and legs.
Key Details
Large families and groups make sharing only a few utensils difficult. Therefore, you need more utensils so that no one has to wait their turn at the dinner table. While sharing utensils is a way of reducing costs, it also makes the shelling process take longer.
This set solves that problem. These tools are dishwasher safe making them easy to clean as well. This set comes with a one year limited warranty.
Pros
- Dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.
- Large set is ideal for big families or entertaining.
- Bag included for easy utensil storage.
- One-year limited warranty.
Cons
- Crab spoon is flat so it may not hold things well.
- Hinges on crackers can feel loose.
- May have hard time cracking king crab legs.
Crab Crackers Buying Guide
Crab crackers are relatively rudimentary tools. Simply put, they are designed to break shells without damaging the meat inside. They seem simple enough.
However, the features and the quality of the craftsmanship make a big difference in your experience. Minor changes can have a big impact on how crab crackers work. Take a look at this video on how crab crackers are used:
Finding the differences in these small changes is the key to finding the right set of crab crackers for you and your family. These differences can change how you maintain the crackers as well as how they are used. They also affect things like their durability.
So you will want to look closely at the different crab crackers that you find. There are many options to choose from. This guide can help you understand the features that make crab crackers different. Here is a look at how to find the best crab crackers for seafood.
How to Select the Right Crab Cracker
To choose the right crab cracker for seafood, you want to look at several key features. These features can be used to measure the cracker’s performance, durability, and maintenance prospects. Many crab crackers come in sets, so you want to look at the other items that come with it.
In some cases, it may be worth spending a little more. Lastly, compare the qualities of the crackers and the other tools that come in those sets to see which is best for your needs.
Key Features
Crab crackers follow a relatively simple and repetitive design in most cases. That is because the design works. However, small details can make a big difference in how they work. The key is to look at these small details. Manufacturers make small changes in them to save money or to improve quality. Here are the features that you should look for:
Size
Crab crackers tend to follow a similar clamp-style design. However, they are not all the same size. Some crackers can be bigger than others, which can be a benefit and a drawback. Larger crab crackers are harder for people to hold. This is especially true for people with smaller hands.
Larger crack crackers give you more leverage when squeezing since they are longer and often made from heavier materials. This extra leverage makes it easier to put pressure on shells until they crack. Smaller crackers offer less leverage than their larger counterparts.
However, they may be easier to hold. Larger crab crackers often fit larger species of shellfish. Crab and lobster claws can grow pretty large, and a small cracker may not be able to close around it fully. This can make it harder to crack the claws. In addition, it may require two hands to close the cracker enough to break the shell.
Material
The material that crab crackers are made out of plays a big difference in their durability. Most crab crackers are made out of a zinc alloy. Zinc is widely used as a plating material to prevent rusting. However, this zinc alloy can be used to create the entire crab cracker. This makes it resistant to rust and its lightweight.
Although it is not as strong as other materials like steel. Crab crackers can also be made out of cast aluminum. Aluminum is lightweight and highly durable. It is also rust-proof and heat-resistant. In addition, most aluminum products are dishwasher safe.
These seafood crackers are easier to hold since they are lighter. But lightweight also means that you have to apply more pressure yourself to crack shells. Stainless steel is also another option. It offers the highest level of weight and strength. That extra weight and robustness make it easy to crack shells. However, they are heavy, which can be hard for some people to use. In addition, stainless steel also offers a lot of protection against rust if cared for properly.
Plier (Modern) vs. Clamp (Traditional) Design
Crab crackers come in two general designs. The traditional design is more common and is shaped like a clamp. The crab goes inside the clamp and you squeeze it shut on top of the shell. This applies pressure to break the shell. It also requires a wider grip to reach both handles.
The modern design is shaped like a pair of pliers or scissors. This design reduces the size of the grip to a more comfortable position. This makes them easier to use and care for. The traditional design is more common and is often sold at a more affordable price.
However, the modern design is becoming more popular since it is more comfortable and easier to use. Choosing between them depends on your preferences and budget.
Baked crab dip
Finish
The finish of your crab crackers determines their care needs. Many crackers are finished with a zinc alloy. This alloy looks like stainless steel. It is applied using a metallurgy process to evenly coat the entire surface. The zinc alloy protects against rust.
Other finishes tend to include rust-resistant materials like stainless steel and aluminum. In those cases, the entire cracker is likely made out of the same material. Most crackers have a smooth finish. However, there are some models that have a textured finish so that they look and feel like crab claws. Finishes are available in many colors as well.
Hinge Design
One of the most important parts of the crab cracker is the hinge. The quality of the hinge makes a big difference in how the cracker feels. The hinge is usually made out of a small aluminum rivet or pin.
How tightly it fits affects the stability of the crab crackers. In modern designs, these rivets are being replaced with screwed-in bolts. These bolts can be easily removed with a screwdriver so that the crackers come apart. Therefore, they are easy to clean and reassemble.
Accessories
Most crab crackers come in sets. So you want to look at the accessories. In some cases, the accessories are what helps the crackers stand out from other options. These sets tend to include crab forks/spoons, as well as lobster shellers.
These accessories are made out of durable thermoplastics or stainless steel in most cases. You’ll want to look at the quality and how useful they can be. Additionally, you may be able to get enough of everything in one set for your entire group. This is a major benefit when planning seafood parties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do you need crab crackers to eat shellfish?
A: No, you do not need crab crackers to open and eat shellfish. There are many ways of opening shellfish. However, crab crackers are one of the easiest, most reliable, and safest ways of doing it.
They essentially break the shell around the crab meat with just enough force to protect the meat inside. Some people use hammers. However, they can destroy the crab meat and are more dangerous for you.
Q: How many seafood tools do you need?
A: The best place to start is the number of people in your family/group. If you are by yourself, then one is enough. If you have two people, then you can get by with one crab cracker.
However, having two is always better than sharing. If there are more than two people in your group, try to have at least one for every two people. However, having enough for everyone so each person has their own is the best option.
Q: Are pricier crab picking tools worth the extra expense?
A: This depends entirely on the crackers. In most cases, the more expensive ones are of higher quality. In a market where there are inexpensive and easily available options, manufacturers are looking for ways to stand out.
So, they improve the quality through minor details. This also raises the price. If you want higher quality crab crackers, be prepared to pay a bit more for it. However, you can do just fine with some of the more inexpensive options.
Q: How do you maintain a crab cracker?
A: The best way is to hand wash and then dry it right after using it. The salt and other liquids found in seafood can corrode the protective layer off of crab crackers and promote rusting in some materials.
Plus, there are many small places where food can get stuck. While some crab crackers are dishwasher-safe, you get the best results from hand washing.
Q: Which design should you choose?
A: Choosing between the modern and traditional designs is based on your preference. Many people choose the traditional design because that is what they expect and they are comfortable with it.
However, the modern design can be easier to use and maintain. It is entirely up to you. Both are capable of cracking shells with relative ease.
Q: Should you buy a crab cracker set or individual crab crackers?
A: Buying a crab cracker set usually gets you accessories that can make eating shellfish easier. If you have a lot of seafood dinners or parties, buying a set is worth the expense. You’ll have all the utensils you need for your family or guests. If you’re a single person or don’t entertain a lot, then buying an individual crab cracker is your best bet.
Conclusion
Finding the right crab crackers for seafood can be a bit of a challenge. There are so many options available. However, that works out better for you since there are more options to choose from. You can find the best crab crackers for seafood by looking at the details as well as the accessories that come with them.
That way, you can be fully prepared for your next dinner party. Whether you are looking for an upscale set like the Toadfish Outfitters’ Coastal Kitchen Collection or a more affordable option like the Ajmyonsp 12Pcs Seafood Tools Kit, you can find what you need on our list.
Seafood can be a lot of fun if you have the right tools for the job. We hope that after reading our detailed crab cracker reviews and comprehensive buying guide, you’ll have all the information you need to select the best crab cracker that is perfect for your kitchen.
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