Emerson Phillips
If you’ve ever been in a situation where you needed a corkscrew but didn’t have one, you’ve probably tried at least one of these.
Videos by Rare
Unprepared? Occassionally. But unresourceful? Never.
Rare.Us – America’s News Feed – gives you 8 ways to open a wine bottle without a corkscrew:
1. Screwdriver, Screw, and Hammer
Your best bet. Take a long screw and screw it into the cork with the screwdriver. Leave about an inch or so above the cork. Then turn the hammer backwards and use the claw to gently pry the cork free. And enjoy.
2. Push the Cork Into the Bottle
Probably the most common solution to the no-corkscrew conundrum, if not the best. But certainly serviceable. All you need here is spoon with a handle that will fit into the mouth of the bottle and enough well-directed force to push the cork through. If the cork crumbles, use a coffee filter to strain and pour the wine into a secondary container.
3. Use a Wire Hanger
Two ways the hanger can be used:
1- Bend the tip of the hanger so it looks like a fishhook. Then slide the wire down into the bottle, between the wall of the bottle and the cork. Rotate the wire, so the hook is underneath the cork, and pull the wire up using your own brute strength or pliers if need be.
2 – Create a makeshift corkscrew with the wire. Wind the hanger around a cylindrical shape to make it like the metal part of a regular corkscrew. Insert and screw into the cork as you usually would and pull the cork out of the bottle. Since the hanger doesn’t have a comfortable handle, wrap a towel around it for better grip.
4. Twist It Out With a Set of Keys or a Serrated Knife
Take your knife or key and insert it into the cork at a 45-degree angle. Once well-inserted, rotate in a circle to twist the cork from the neck of the bottle. The cork should eventually come out after a few rotations. Comes with a high risk of cork crumble – make sure the knife or key is well inserted before rotating.
5. Use a Shoe
Wrap the bottom of your wine bottle in a towel, and then sit down, placing the bottle upside down between your legs. From here, repeatedly slap the bottom of the bottle with your shoe until the cork is almost out. It is extremely important to stop before the cork is entirely out. Once the cork is showing enough out of the bottle, simply pull it out. You can also achieve this method by wrapping the bottle in a towel and hitting it against a wall, tree, or other flat surfaces.
6. Apply Heat
Using heat can cause the cork to move upward out of the bottle. USE CAUTION. Take a blowtorch or lighter and apply the heat right below the cork. Turn the bottle as you do this, and the cork should eventually slip right out.
7. Pump It Out With a Bike Pump
Grab your bike pump and push the inflator needle into the cork. The needle must go all the way through the cork and into the bottle for this to work. Gently pump until the cork begins edging its way out. It shouldn’t take too long for the cork to remove itself due to the air pressure.
8. Use TweezersThere isn’t really a step-by-step method for this one; you’ll simply just pick at the cork until it all comes out or falls into the bottle. This method isn’t recommended, but if it’s all you’ve got on hand, then it’s worth a shot.
