Problem with wine cork

[silver_plane]

Is there any specific technique in using the "lever" type cork puller? I recently bought a "lever" type cork puller and I've already broke two bottles of wine. :-<
Please help.

[hotwine]

Welcome to the board, Silver.
By "lever" type, do you mean the "winged" variety, with two handles?

[silver_plane]

It's one of those that has a extension to hook onto the rim of the bottle and lift the handle on the other side to pull the cork out. It works fine with "rubber" cork. For the older wine which has a "harder" cork, it tends to broke the bottle.

[Innkeeper]

That is what is known as the "Waiters Friend." Have never had the kind of problems with one like you are writing about. Older bottles are usually easier to uncork than newer ones. That is because when properly stored in the prone position the corks eventually become winelogged.

The proper way to use this device is to insert the screw into the middle of the cork all the way in. You may have to back it out a little until the part that rests on the rim just fits. Firmly pull up on the handle, and the cork should come out. Can't see how the bottle rim would break unless sudden jerky movements were involved.

[This message has been edited by Innkeeper (edited 03-05-2001).]

[chittychattykathy]

Are you opening bottles with a extended rim on them, and breaking off that part? I would do as IK mentioned but only go half way down with the worm (the metal part that goes into the cork) and them lift the cork out just a bit, then rotate it in all the way, and give one more bigger lift.

[silver_plane]

Thanks for all your advises. I did screw the wire all the way in. Maybe that's the problem. I'll try again this weekend.

[winoweenie]

Silver, welcome to the board. Your problem is another testament to and the superiorty of the Screw-Pull. WW

[Drew]

Did somebody say "Screw-pull?" Boy do I have a deal for you....

Drew

[Thomas]

Operative word on the Screw-Pull is "Screw-ed"