Do you want to learn how to remove a wine cork without a corkscrew?
There is nothing worse than having a nice bottle of wine but you can’t find your wine opener. Why is it always missing when you need it? 😓
Well, my fellow wine lovers, don’t despair. In this guide, you’ll learn:
- Why using a knife is the easiest hack to get out a cork.
- Tips on using leverage and how a drywall screw can save the day.
- Bang your wine bottle with a shoe for easy cork removal!
- Do you have a lighter? Heat up your bottle to get out the cork.
Let’s get started with these wine cork removal hacks!
Hack #1: Use A Knife And Plunge Into Cork
The absolute winner of uncorking a wine bottle without a corkscrew goes to the knife method.
This strategy is super simple and it uses cutlery which every home has.
Just take a knife and carefully plunge it into the cork. Ideally, a serrated or ‘toothed’ knife will work best.
Use 30-Degree Angle
The best thing to do is plunge the knife into the cork at an angle. If the knife just goes in straight, you won’t get as much leverage when you start twisting.
Start at the very edge of the glass, and slowly insert the knife in at a 30-degree angle. Especially if you have a smooth-edged knife, it likely won’t work if you stick it in straight vertical. The basic idea is to insert the knife deep into the cork, slowly twist, and then pull it out.
It is essential that the knife goes deep enough into the cork in order to get enough leverage. You may want to first slightly push the cork into the bottle just so it can break the seal and loosen up a bit — then slowly pull it out.
Twist in Right Direction
Also, twist in the direction opposite of the sharp edge. If you twist the cork in the direction of the knife blade, the edge may just cut into the cork and you will lose leverage.
If you don’t have a knife, you be able to use a key or some other object that is able to puncture the cork.
Hack #2: Fasten Screw Into Cork
The second easiest way to get a cork out without a corkscrew is to use a screw.
It can be a drywall screw, wood screw, or even a masonry screw.
Slowly twist the screw into the cork with a screwdriver. You can use a powered drill but use the slowest (least torque) setting and be very careful not to hit the glass.
There is a real possibility of the wine bottle shattering if you use a powered drill, so be careful.
After the screw is into the cork most of the way, you can use pliers, the back of a hammer, or even your hand with a towel to pull it out.
You may want to slightly push in the cork first just to break the seal. Slowly twist and pull out the cork.
Hack #3: Apply Heat To Wine Bottle Neck
The third best way to get out a cork without a corkscrew is to apply heat to the wine bottle neck.
The idea is that when you heat up the air in the bottle that is trapped between the wine and the cork — the air will expand and push out the cork.
WARNING: It is essential to avoid attempting this method on a refrigerated or chilled wine bottle (as well as on champagne or sparkling wine). The rapid change in temperature will dramatically increase the likelihood of the wine bottle breaking. If the bottle is cold, you will need to wait until it gets to room temperature or apply heat very slowly.
And even with a wine bottle at room temperature, there is always a chance of the bottle shattering with this method. It really depends on the type of heat you use, the wine bottle, and other factors.
Use A Towel In Case It Breaks
You may want to place a towel over the wine bottle and a second one on the floor just in case it shatters.
Always try to heat the trapped air SLOWLY and with a low heat source.
The best and safest heat source is to use a normal flame (non-torched) lighter. If you use a blow torch, hair straightener, or some other method that applies high heat — the bottle definitely may shatter in your hands.
Don’t Heat The Cork
Take a regular lighter, and slowly heat the air. Try to avoid heating the cork because it may melt if the cork is made out of synthetic materials.
The cork should slowly start popping out of the bottle anywhere from 2-6 minutes. Be patient.
As soon as the cork starts to come out, you may want to use pliers to pull out the remaining cork if you don’t want to wait.
Hack #4: Use a Coat Hanger
If you are out of screws, knives, or lighters, then using a coat hanger may help you remove a cork in a pinch.
First straighten out the wire coat hanger at the end so it is nice and straight, and then bend the end of the coat hanger into the shape of a fish hook. The hook should only be about half an inch in diameter.
The ‘fish hook’ needs to be small enough to fit into the wine bottle.
Slowly insert the ‘fish hook’ end of the coat hanger into the wine bottle at the edge of the cork. Do this slowly and carefully to avoid damaging the glass.
Once the coat hanger is pushed past the cork, simply twist the coat hanger so the ‘fish hook’ is resting underneath the cork. Carefully and slowly twist and pull out the cork.
As with the other methods, it may be easier to first slightly push on the cork so it can release the tight seal.
Hack #5: Use Shoe Or Towel And Hit Wine Bottle
One of our last methods to get out a cork without a corkscrew is to carefully hit the wine bottle against a wall or with a shoe.
This is a bit of a legendary way to remove a cork and you’ll be a hit at any part — if the bottle doesn’t shatter!
When the rear of the wine bottle gets hit, it creates positive pressure inside the wine bottle that will eventually push the cork out. The principle is similar to heating up the air trapped in the neck.
Use A Towel
One strategy is to wrap the end of the wine bottle with a towel or put it inside a shoe. Hit the bottom of the wine bottle against a wall. If you hit it against drywall, just be careful not to put a hole in the wall.
It’s a better idea to go outside and hit it against something hard like a brick wall or tree. Start slow, and repeatedly bang the bottom of the bottle.
Once the cork has popped out enough, you can try using pliers or even your teeth to pull the rest of the cork out.
Bang Wine Bottle With Shoe Or Book
An additional strategy is to sit down and hold the wine bottle in-between your legs.
The bottom of the wine bottle should be facing up. And with the bottom of your shoe or book, repeatedly strike the rear of the wine bottle.
Eventually, you should notice the cork start to come out.
Hack #6: Use A Bike Pump
A bike pump can be used in a pinch to remove a cork. The principle is the really the same as hitting the bottom of a wine bottle or even heating up the neck with a lighter.
When pressure increases inside the wine bottle, the cork will slowly pop out.
To use a bike pump, you will need to use a needle adapter. This is the type of adapter that you would use to inflate a basketball.
Just insert the needle through the cork so that the end is open to the air. Slowly pump the bike pump until the cork pops out.
Hack #7: Push The Cork Into The Wine Bottle
The last method to remove a cork is to simply push it into the wine bottle.
Of course, you only want to use this method if you plan on drinking the entire bottle or if you have a separate container with a lid that is air tight.
All you have to do is take the bottom of a fork, pen, wooden spoon handle, or anything narrow and hard and push it on the cork.
Once the cork is inside the wine bottle, just pour it and enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use A Hair Straightener?
Yes, it is possible to use a hair straightener to heat up the air trapped in the wine bottle neck. However, this tool really isn’t recommended since it may overheat the bottle causing it to shatter. A regular flame lighter is the best choice. If you decide to use a hair straightener, try to avoid touching the glass, and do it in cycles. Heat it up for a few seconds than let it rest and repeat.
The Cork Seems To Be Stuck And Won’t Loosen. What Do I Do?
You may want to try just heating up the cork area under hot water for 30-seconds. It will help loosen the cork and break the seal.
Is It Okay To Drink Wine If The Cork Crumbled Into Bottle?
Yes, it is perfectly fine to drink the wine. You just need to filter the wine through a fine mesh sieve or run it through cheese cloth to get out the bits of cork.