A Corkscrew is a tool or an accessory used to open a bottle of wine. Sounds so basic, and almost unattractive, right? But if you are craving for a glass of wine, and don’t have a corkscrew around to open the bottle, nothing could be more frustrating! You’re almost tempted to fling the bottle away (or you would if you didn’t love it so much!).
This almost unassuming and overlooked, but super nifty little tool is a must-have if you are someone who at least drinks a glass of wine occasionally. No other tool can be used to remove the cork off a bottle of wine as effectively or as quickly. It is durable, easy to use and functional.
Just place it atop the cork of the bottle, and give a little tug. Snap! There’s the satisfying feeling of watching the cork come off, and you get a whiff and sight off the liquid gold! On to finding a wine glass and pouring yourself heaven in a glass!
So, why so much ado about such a little thing as opening a bottle of wine? Because with wine becoming such a popular drink worldwide, a plethora of cheap and inferior quality corkscrews are making their way into the market. If you look to save some on this, you run the risk of causing damage to the cork in your attempt to pull it off. Moreover, it is laborious. It is time-consuming. And it is downright frustrating! Just save yourself the disappointment and get a good quality product that makes the process of wine drinking smooth and seamless. After all, is there any other reason to drink it in the first place?
If you have no idea about the different types of corkscrews or you are unable to determine which one is best suited for your purpose, don’t panic. We have put this precious little guide that will make the process of getting to your precious drink much easier. Read on and find out which suits your purpose, where you can buy them and why these options are thumping good.
So, don’t conk out, get the cork out!
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Types of Corkscrews
A piece of equipment this small, but there are several different types of corkscrews available.
Waiter’s Corkscrew
Also called wine keys, a majority of the Corkscrews on our radar today are Waiter’s Corkscrews. Waiter’s Corkscrews have been around for the longest time, as early as 1882, and find its place in top restaurants around the world, but you would find it just as prominently in households too. Compact in size, multi-functional and most importantly, affordable, they include bottle cap openers as well as foil cutter blades.
To use a Waiter’s Corkscrew, firstly take the foil off the bottleneck. Then put the worm in the center of the cork and twist the corkscrew. This will insert the worm into the cork. Keep the first level notch on the bottle’s lip and holding on the lid of the bottle, pull up the handle so that the cork is about halfway out of the bottle. You must then move the second lever notch to the bottle’s tip and pull the cork completely out of the bottle. Once done, turn the corkscrew in the opposite direction while holding onto the cork. This will remove the cork from the worm.
Wine Cork Extractor
Wine Cork Extractor comes with a pair of prongs. These prongs slide smoothly and effortlessly between the wine bottle and cork to make it easier to remove the cork off the bottle. Wine Cork Extractor is ideal if you are a wine connoisseur who loves drinking vintage wines that feature natural corks. The best part about using Wine Cork Extractors is that they will not cause any damage to your vintage corks, and they will not come apart either and drop fragments into your precious wine.
To use extractors, you need to first take the foil off from under the lip of the wine bottle. Then hold the neck of the bottle firmly in place, and slide the prongs smoothly down between the cork and the inside of the bottleneck. Wobble the prongs down in a clockwise motion. You will know when the extractor is fully inserted. All you have to do now is twist the extractor and pull up to remove the cork from the bottle with unexpected ease. To get the cork out of the extractor, directly slide the cork out from between the prongs.
Continuous Pull Corkscrews
With this type of Corkscrew, you use twisting motion to steer the work into the cork. Compact and super simple to ease, the sides of these corkscrews sit on the neck of the bottle of wine. Some of these models also feature hinges that make it a lot simpler for you to squeeze them around the neck of your wine bottle. This gives you a better grip and makes it easy to unscrew the cork.
As with the other corkscrews we have seen so far and some others that we are going to address further, you start by clipping the foil under the lip of your wine bottle. With the seal removed, place the base of this corkscrew over the tip of the bottle and turn the handle from left to right to insert the worm into the cork. With the worm screwed in place, slide the sides of the corkscrew over the neck of the bottle for a firm grip. Keep turning the handle clockwise until the cork is completely out. The final step involves removing the cork from the corkscrew, and this can be achieved by turning the handle from right to left.
Wall Mount Corkscrews
If you are on the lookout for Corkscrews that are as efficient as they are safe, then the Wall Mount variety is a solid option. With Wall Mount Corkscrews, you have the option for varying degrees and depths of penetration.
Wall Mount Corkscrews work by mounting to a wall for increased stability and protection when you remove corks off wine bottles. Moreover, the chances that they will be lost is nil.
For removing the cork, begin by first snipping the foil under the lip of your wine bottle. Fit in the neck of your bottle into the cradle of the corkscrew. Once done, level off the handle to insert the corkscrew. Return the handle to the position it was in to remove the cork instantly. Taking the bottle from the cradle to pour a glass will make the cork fall to the floor for you to collect.
Lever Corkscrews
A two-step process is all it takes to remove the cork from your wine bottle using Lever Corkscrews. They are highly popular as they are so easy to operate and do not involve much effort on your part.
The obvious choice for home kitchens, only two motions and your cork will be off. The first is to insert the worm into the cork with a forward motion. The next motion is the opposite motion in which the cork is gently pulled from the bottle.
As the obvious first step, cut and remove the foil. Once this is done, place the corkscrew atop your wine bottle and push the lever down wholly. This will insert the worm into the cork. When the lever is entirely down, pull the handle back up. This motion will remove the cork from the wine bottle. To extract the cork from the worm, take the corkscrew from the bottle and flick the handle up and down. Do this a few times and the cork should slide off.
Electric Corkscrew
Easy and simple to use, this model uses electricity. You will get around to your wine bottle cork with merely a press of a button. This requires virtually no strength or dexterity, making it possible for just about anyone to open a bottle of wine. If ease of use is your main criteria for purchasing a corkscrew, this wins hands down. This corkscrew is ideal for those of you with arthritis or has issues with hand dexterity and strength.
With the foil removed from the lip of the bottle, insert the electric corkscrew over the neck of the wine bottle. Turning the corkscrew on will automatically insert the worm and also remove the cork in a jiffy. Removal of cork from the worm can be done by backpedaling the corkscrew motion.
Pocket Corkscrews
Each corkscrew has that ultimate feature that makes it desirable depending on your requirement. If yours is portable, and you are looking for a corkscrew that you can carry around in your pant pockets, these are the ideal option for you. A popular choice among bartenders and wait staff in pubs and bars, just about anyone who needs to open a wine bottle on the go can use this.
Compact and affordable, there is a snag. It requires much brute strength than say an electric or counter mount corkscrews.
Pocket Corkscrews feature a T crossbar that gives leverage to pop the worm into the cork and remove it.
As you should be familiar by now, begin by trimming away the foil seal from under the bottle’s lip. Unfasten the sheath of the corkscrew and turn until the worm is thoroughly tucked into the cork. Pulling outward on the handle will remove the cork. Hold onto the cork and reverse the corkscrew motion to extract the worm from the cork.
Counter Mount Corkscrews
As is apparent from the name, Counter Mount Corkscrews can be secured to a kitchen table or counter. This provides sturdiness, support and extra torque. Consequently, you can uncork bottles a lot faster, but with less effort.
If you may not require this for your home use, but imagine a popular bar or a high-end restaurant frequented by thousands of patrons every day. They need to uncork many bottles every day, so this option is perfect for their use.
To use, slash the foil from under the lip of the wine bottle. Fit the wine bottle in the corkscrew. Next, as you pull down the handle, the worm will be inserted into the cork. Crack the wine bottle open by releasing the handle. Once you return the handle to the up position it was in, the cork will immediately fall off the worm.
Wing Corkscrews
If your wine is corked by Synthetic corks, a Wing Corkscrew is what you should be using to uncork your bottle. The best part about wing corkscrews is that they are highly robust and work perfectly well for corks of all sizes. However, they should not be used for uncorking vintage wine bottles as they tend to leave debris behind. Small, compact and ease of use are the main attractions.
Remove the foil from the neck of the bottle, place the worm into the center of the cork, and twist the corkscrew lever to pop the worm into the cork. Ensure to twist till the wings climb all the way up. Once they have risen, push down on them all together to pull the cork out of the wine bottle. To detach the cork from the corkscrew, all you have to do is turn the handle anticlockwise.
Now that we have covered the basics of what corkscrews are all about and the different types out there, we hope that you are confident in your selection of a corkscrew that fits your needs. Still, need more information to make an informed choice? We have you covered!
Here’s our review of the best corkscrews that will make the job of getting to your wine cork much easier!
The 5 best Corkscrews
1. Oster Cordless Electric Wine Bottle Opener
This is the best and top-rated electric corkscrew from the kitchen behemoth, Oster. Affordable price, sleek design and compact charging base make this the best choice if you are looking to uncork your wine bottle effortlessly and quickly.
Speed and simplicity of use are the main attractions of this model. Charge for 6 to 8 hours, you can uncork up to 30 wine bottles before you have to charge it again. All you have to do is insert this corkscrew on the neck of the bottle and press the lower switch to bring the worm down into the cork. The bottle opener will take care of the rest. It is superbly designed, with a comfortable soft-grip handle and foil cutters that help remove seals with minimal effort.
✨ Standout Features:
- It is an eclectic model.
- It measures 5.5*14.96*5.3 inches.
- It weighs 1 pound.
- Made of plastic with foil cutter
✔️ Pros:
- Removes the cork in a matter of seconds
- Can open up to 30 bottles of wine on a single charge of 6 to 8 hours.
- Simple push-button operation
- Features foil cutters which remove seals easily.
- Easy to hold and use.
- Fits all traditional wine bottles.
❌ Cons:
- Few users reported problems with working of the down button, which pushes the cork from the bottle, as not working after some time.
This nifty and highly useful tool is perfect for large parties and gatherings, when you may have to unscrew quite a few bottles. It is the go-to for everyday wine drinkers. Just charge your device overnight and enjoy your glass of wine the next day! If you need a bottle opener to remove seals in no time, and with minimal effort from your end, go for the electric bottle opener from Oster!
2. HiCoup Waiters Corkscrew
This multi-functional Waiters corkscrew does the job of a wine corkscrew, bottle opener and foil cutter. It is effortless usage, and 5 turns are all it takes to remove a cork, whether natural or synthetic. The precision-cut notch along the screw leaves no debris behind as the bottle is uncorked.
✨ Standout Features:
- It is a Waiter’s corkscrew model.
- Weighs 0.3 pounds.
- Measures 5*1.75*0.71 inches.
- Made of Stainless Steel
✔️ Pros:
- Removes cork with just 5 turns
- Easy to handle.
- Long, round and serrated foil cutters remove all types of foils.
- Double-Hinged Fulcrum for smooth removal of cork of any size.
- Features 8 unique resin finishes and 10 premium wood finishes.
- Opens any kind of cork.
❌ Cons:
- A handful of users had issues with pulling out the cork cleanly.
Given its versatility and functionality, not to mention the super affordable cost, makes this a great addition to your wine accessories collection. It has the ideal weight, and the craftsmanship is impeccable. With the ability to remove bottles quickly, and its lifetime warranty make it a super tool to own.
3. Secura Electric Wine Bottle Opener
If arm strength is an issue for you, and you don’t want to put up with the hassle of angling your cork, then electric wine bottle openers are a great choice. And when it comes to electric wine bottle openers, it doesn’t get better than Secura.
This model features an elegant stainless steel design and a rechargeable battery that can open up to 30 bottles after charging for 6 to 7 hours. It also comes with a foil cutter that gives a perfect cut. The transparent shell surrounding the corkscrew lets you know exactly when the cork has been fully removed from the bottle.
Accented with internal LED lights, it is as aesthetically appealing as it is functional.
✨ Standout Features:
- It is an electric corkscrew model.
- It weighs 1.2 pounds.
- Measures 12*2.7*7.5 inches.
- Wine opener and foil cutter.
✔️ Pros:
- Can open up to 30 bottles with a single charge.
- The transparent shell around the corkscrew will let you know exactly when the cork is removed.
- Runs very quietly at just 40 decibels.
- Easy to handle.
- Removes corks in seconds.
- Compatible with most wine bottles.
- Compact and easy to store. Looks very elegant too.
❌ Cons:
- Some users have raised complaints that it is underpowered.
Secura Wine opener takes the hassle out of uncorking your wine bottle and does the job easily. It is particularly useful if you have arthritis or other hand issues. Compact and elegant, it looks stunning. Easy to handle, you can open up to 30 bottles after a one time charge. This is perfectly suited for your home use and even a small commercial establishment. It stands out from other electric corkscrews in that it operates very quietly. Despite all these functionalities, it is extremely affordable, which makes it a popular choice.
4. IPOW Wing Corkscrew
This highly versatile IPOW corkscrew not only lets you uncork wine bottles, but you can also uncork beer bottles, olive oil bottles, vinegar bottles and just about any cork-stoppered bottle. This is the most budget-friendly option on our list. Given how functional it is, it is a great value add!
Designed with high-quality zinc alloy, it is durable and corrosion-resistant. The added bonus is that the lever mechanism saves your strength and makes uncorking wine bottles easier.
This winged corkscrew is an ergonomic class act with its anti-slip wing handle that ensures a comfortable grip and the use of less downward pressure to pull out the cork.
✨ Standout Features:
- It is a wing corkscrew model.
- Made of premium zinc alloy.
- Features an anti-slip wing handle.
- Weighs 8 ounces.
- Measures 8.6*2.3*1.1 inches.
- Conveniently designed rear for beer opening.
✔️ Pros:
- Multi-functional – can open a beer and other bottles stopped by corkscrews.
- Ergonomically curved handle and anti-slip wing handle for a comfortable grasp and use.
- Sturdy and durable.
- Lever mechanism saves your strength and effort to uncork.
- Sharp corkscrew prevents the cork from crumbling.
- Cheap considering the functionalities, look and design.
- Compact and portable.
- Much less effort than with a standard manual screw.
❌ Cons:
- Some users reported issues with this corkscrew chewing up the cork rather than smooth removal.
- Some users experienced design problems with the corkscrew breaking over a period of time.
This is a compact corkscrew that you can take anywhere and enjoy your wine. Perfect for house use, it can also be used to uncork a beer and other cock stoppered bottles. For this price point, it is a great value overall.
5. Vintorio Waiter’s Corkscrew
This Vintorio manual corkscrew is the best corkscrews available. It features an integrated serrated foil cutter that makes it a multi-functional device that you just want to own! It also comes with a double-hinged fulcrum that will remove even the longest and most fragile of corks.
Designed exquisitely, it makes for a great gift to your bartender friend or a wine lover who is into throwing large parties.
As with all manual screws, you need to put in a little effort to uncork bottles. But the price point and other features make it a great choice.
✨ Standout Features:
- Waiter’s Corkscrew model.
- Weighs 3.98 ounces
- Measures 5.9 x 2.1 x 1.2 inches
- Double-hinged fulcrum.
- Serrated foil cutters.
- Specially designed worm.
✔️ Pros:
- No crumbling of corks.
- Easy to handle.
- Build to open a minimum of 1000 bottles.
- Removes any type of foil with ease.
- Available in 9 different colors and finishes.
- Comes with an additional beer opener.
- Great value for money.
- Durable.
❌ Cons:
- A bit stiff, you may face trouble with starting this corkscrew in the cork.
This manual corkscrew enjoys great popularity among bartenders and waiters. And it is not surprising considering its durability and functionality. A tad difficult to start off, but once you get going, you should face no difficulty in uncorking any bottle. The double-hinged fulcrum makes uncorking longer or fragile corks much easier. While it may not come with all the frills, it does its job consistently without many glitches. To crown it all, it is very reasonably priced. What more could you ask for?
Conclusion
Drinking wine is a pleasurable process. But to be able to do that, you must first get to it! The type of corkscrew you buy depends on many factors. The obvious first choice is deciding between a manual or an electric corkscrew. If you decide to go for the latter because of fewer hassles, or you have some hand problems, then we have 2 great choices right here on this list. Remember, manual corkscrews would require some effort and application of strength on your part to get the corks to come off.
Once this is decided, next is the purpose. Are you someone who drinks rarely and is looking for a corkscrew for your home use? Or are you a bartender who has to uncork bottles by the dozen every day? A smaller corkscrew works best if you are a waiter.
While the aesthetics may not be a primary factor, having an elegant design sit on your countertop is very desirable. But don’t let this be a major factor. The electric and wing corkscrews that we have featured on the list are great buys for their ergonomics and aesthetics (and a whole lot more of course.)
If you are someone who drinks very rarely, a bottle opener will suffice. On the other hand, if you are a frequent drinker, or entertain guests regularly, don’t go for budget buys. You need to consider the lifespan and durability of the corkscrew.
We hope that this comprehensive guide will come in handy when you decide to buy a corkscrew and you will be able to zero down on one that best fits your needs!
Pop into our side if you have any trouble with deciding, pop out the cork and enjoy your drink!
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