We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Culinary

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Cork Remover?

Malcolm Tatum
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 7,628
Share

Even in our age of screw caps on just about everything, good bottles of wine still tend to come with a cork. In order to open the bottle and allow the wine to breathe before serving, a cork remover is required. There are actually several types of cork removers that you can choose to use for opening wine bottles and other containers that are sealed with a cork. Here are descriptions of the three most common forms of the cork remover, including suggestions on where to purchase them.

Perhaps the most basic type of cork remover is a version that is often referred to as a “T” corkscrew. Created especially to work with traditional corks, the T corkscrew is so named because of the shape. A horizontal handle is paired with a vertical pointed spiral. The spiral comes to a sharp point at the end. Removing the cork from a wine bottle is accomplished by twisting the spiral into the wine cork until it is firmly embedded. Holding the bottle firmly in one hand, use the handle to pull upward with the other hand. This will release the cork from the bottle. Often, the T handle corkscrew has a sturdy wooden handle, while stainless steel is used for the spiral.

The second type of cork remover is somewhat similar in function, but looks very different. The spiral with the sharp end is still present, but instead of a handle, this model of cork remover uses two levers. As the spiral is screwed into the cork, the two levers move from a parallel vertical position on either side of the spiral to a horizontal position. Once both levers are fully horizontal, use one or both hands to push them back into the original position. As the levers return to their vertical positions, the spiral removes the cork from the mouth of the bottle.

A third popular option for a cork remover focuses more on gripping the cork. With a horizontal handle that has two metal prongs that are spaced out to about the diameter of the inside of the mouth of the bottle, the idea is to grip the cork while it is still in the bottle. The two metal prongs are thin enough to fit between the inside lip of the bottle and cork. Use the handle to run the prongs all the away around the cork, loosening it from the interior wall of the neck. After a couple of revolutions, the friction will have allowed for the cork to be gripped by the prongs and slide out of the bottle with great ease.

Many people prefer to use a spiral style cork remover, simply because there seems to be less chance of leaving behind some remnants of wine corks in the wine bottles when removing the cork. However, anyone who uses the prong type of cork remover on a regular basis will soon be able to extract the corks without leaving any residue to drop back into the wine.

All three cork remover types can easily be purchased at discount retail stores, kitchen shops and often in supermarkets. The cost can range from inexpensive to costly, depending on the materials used to create the cork remover. From a simple type all the way through to elaborate mechanisms, finding a cork remover that will do the job and also fit your aesthetic desires is relatively easy to accomplish.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Malcolm Tatum
By Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum, a former teleconferencing industry professional, followed his passion for trivia, research, and writing to become a full-time freelance writer. He has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGeek, and his work has also been featured in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and newspapers. When not writing, Malcolm enjoys collecting vinyl records, following minor league baseball, and cycling.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum, a former teleconferencing industry professional, followed his passion for trivia, research, and writing...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-a-cork-remover.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.