Extracting Difficult Corks

[danthebugman]

Had an issue tonight while opening a homebrew my FIL sent me. Couldn't get the damn cork out to save my life. Even broke a wine opener, albeit a cheapo that was having issues anyhow. Didn't end well for the cork...

Any tips you fellas wanna share for extracting difficult corks??

Dan

 

[Monsterdg]

Rather than trying to extract a broken cork, I usually push it in the bottle.

 

[SurpriseMVP]

No advise, but thanks for posting. I laughed out loud

 

[jimmypa]

Rather than trying to extract a broken cork, I usually push it in the bottle.

Agreed, but you need to watch out for splash back when the cork gos in, never tried it with beer though only wine so you may get overflow from the carb

 

[Eric]

[YOUTUBE]NKB3psKMnbg[/YOUTUBE]

 

[smokinghole]

A pair of pliers works for me normally. I don't know how you broke the bottle (it looks broken at least). What was the hammer for? Was the cork still pliable or was it very dry and sort of glued in? I personally don't bottle beer with corks like that unless it has healthy carbonation which will assist in opening.

 

[danthebugman]

Thanks for posting that Eric. I normally don't have any problems with Boulevard corks, but that made it look super easy. Problem with this cork was that there was about half of what there normally is sticking up above the top of the bottle. Couldn't get a grip on it. Resorted to the wine opener, broke. Drove to Walgreens and bought a new wine opener. Wasn't able to get it to grip on the bottle. Sawed the cork off even with the bottle top thinking the wine opener could get a better grip...no dice. Finally had had enough. Stormed down the hall, rummaged through the tool box, found the hammer. Wife asks "What are you...oh." and walks back into the living room. Whack, ahhh beer :grin:. Upon inspection that cork wasn't coming out...period. It was swollen or something after it went in. I'll have to tell the FIL he may wanna lay off using those corks again and see if he's had problems getting into the bottles he has.

Dan

 

[theribdoctor]

better question, how was the beer?

 

[Cigar Cowboy]

Next time try a wood screw.

If that does not work, push it in the bottle and strain the beer or wine.

 

[orangedog]

wasn't there a video on BOTL not too long ago with a female in a bar that solved this problem?

Anyways... you can try an ah-so:
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Monopol-Ah-So-Two-Prong-Cork-Puller/dp/B0002WZR4K/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top"]Amazon.com: Monopol Ah-So Two-Prong Cork Puller: Kitchen & Dining@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31P59S7AC6L.@@AMEPARAM@@31P59S7AC6L[/ame]

 

[Alwayslit]

Next time try a wood screw.

If that does not work, push it in the bottle and strain the beer or wine.

^^^this^^^

 

[danthebugman]

better question, how was the beer?

Excellent :bottle:.

Dan

 

[smokinghole]

They're supposed to swell after they go in the bottle. Otherwise the CO2 would leak and possibly beer. The trick would be to use a pair of needle nose pliers if you ask me. Just be careful how hard you squeeze and pull because you can just rip the cork off that way also. A wood screw or two would also help if you wanted to use pliers.

 

[Dr. Xikar]

I've only had this happen a few times. Always with wine bottles and synthetic corks... The corkscrew just guts them rather than gripping.

I saber the bottle. Here's a good enough video - Just skip forwards a bit if you don't want to listen to the guy

http://video.about.com/wine/Saber-a-Champagne-Bottle.htm

Unfortunately, I've only gotten to do this three times, but when it works, it's really, really cool.

 

[L8A]

Glad it worked out in the end Dan but if that happens to me I just push em in.

 

[TreeFrog Frank]

Dan, if this happens again... The best solution is to stop, before you mess up the beer, and drop it off at my house for a while. I'll call when I have the cork out for you.

 

[hdroadglide]

^^^you DON"T want to know how he gets them out!^^^

 

[Musterion]

I think you might want to try "soaking" the corks first.

Here's an informational video. One of my favorites.

http://www.iviewtube.com/v/156814/cork-soakers-snl-skit-(saturday-night-live-janet-jackson)

 

[javajunkie]

use a waiter's key, preferably with a levered 2-stage arm. thing is a lifesaver, easier on the cork and the hand. plus, can opener, bottle opener, and small knife.

 

[Eric]

I think I was jinxed by Dan. okemyeye

Went with a corkscrew & screwdriver.