No corkscrew? No problem! Discover clever ways to open a wine bottle using everyday household items like a shoe, key, scissors, or even a bike pump.
No Corkscrew? No Problem! Creative Ways to Open a Wine Bottle
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Use a Shoe
One way to open a wine bottle without a wine opener involves a little force. Unleash your frustration of forgetting or misplacing a corkscrew by banging the cork out with a shoe or some other object to help absorb the impact of banging the bottle against a hard surface. But this trick only works with regular corks, not the plastic version, and you can’t use a shoe with too much cushioning. The wine will eventually force the cork out because liquids act like solids when in a container.
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Open Wine Bottle With a Key
Insert a key, preferably one you have extra copies of, at a 45-degree angle into the cork until most of it is inserted. Then begin twisting the cork up as you push up with the key until you get the cork out. Be careful because a weak key may bend or break.
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Hang on with a Hanger
Take a hanger and shape it into a hook with a pair of pliers. Place the new hook on the edge of the cork with the “u” shape facing up. Wiggle the hook back and forth until it’s about 2 inches down. Rotate the hook to grab the bottom of the cork and then begin pulling once it catches the hook.
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Cut the Cork
Make a small cut on either side of the cork and find a pair of clean, curved nail scissors or a pair of pliers. Put the nail scissors or pliers into the place the cork was cut and lift.
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Slide in Some Scissors
Find a pair of scissors and jam one of the blades into the cork. Twist the cork out while holding on to one of the handles of the scissors. Be sure to work slowly to prevent any potential injury.
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Pump it Up
We might like this one the best because, if done correctly, you get the pop sound. Start with a bike pump and place the pump needle between the cork and the rim of the wine bottle. Pump it three or four times, but be careful because if you pump too much, the bottle could explode. After a couple of pumps, the cork will jump out, or you can pull it out.
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Use a Screw Hook
Insert a screw hook into the cork, and once sufficiently screwed in, pull. Next time, you won’t have to spend so much time searching for a wine opener.
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Find a Knife
Insert a serrated knife between the cork and bottle and twist, gently applying upward pressure as you twist. Be sure to do this carefully since you’re using a knife. Once you’ve opened the wine, plan on building a bar to store essential items like a corkscrew.
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String it Together
Tie a figure eight knot and slip it past the cork by wedging it down with a screwdriver or scissors. Once the knot is below the cork, tilt the bottle and then pull the string.
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If all Else Fails, Just Push the Cork in
You can push the cork in with your finger until you need to find another object to finish the job. You can use a marker or a pen to get the cork to move. Sure, you’ll have a cork sloshing around in your bottle of wine, but a quick glass of refreshing cabernet will help you forget that.
