The Best Wine Twist Corkscrew on the Market

In the Equipment Corner, equipment expert Adam Ried reviews his top pick for twist corkscrews.
Buy our winning twist corkscrew: amzn.to/2tMZjTB
ABOUT US: Located in Boston’s Seaport District in the historic Innovation and Design Building, America's Test Kitchen features 15,000 square feet of kitchen space including multiple photography and video studios. It is the home of Cook’s Illustrated magazine and Cook’s Country magazine and is the workday destination for more than 60 test cooks, editors, and cookware specialists. Our mission is to test recipes over and over again until we understand how and why they work and until we arrive at the best version.
If you like us, follow us:
cooksillustrate...
/ americastestkitchen
/ testkitchen
/ testkitchen
/ testkitchen

[@bnwinsf]

Never lost a cork using a waiter’s corkscrew. I’ve had winged screws pulverize corks. Waiter’s corkscrews are also cheap. And they’re actually very easy to use. And screw caps are the easiest. 🍷 🥴

[@KenS1267]

Been using a waiter's corkscrew for decades, I got it when I worked as a waiter. I think I've messed up pulling a cork twice.

[@davejones5747]

They are not so easy to use if you aren't accustomed to using one. It's fairly easy to get it wrong.

[@bentleyr00d]

What have you got against the winner though? They recommend a waiter's corkscrew as well, but this is a different test. I don't get why, when they test something other than the product some people use, people invariably insist the other type is better, implying that there's no reason to even test anything else. This corkscrew is easier to use than the waiters corkscrew, especially for novices.

[@jeremyd6775]

The true tap waiter corkscrews are pretty much perfect

[@carowells1607]

@@jeremyd6775 They recommended Pulltap's Classic Evolution by Pulltex for the waiter type corkscrews.

[@kencharm2909]

Even when I first started drinking wine, I never had an issue with the waiter style corkscrew...as long as it was the double hinged version. The single hinged waiter style corkscrew does take some practice, but if you spend an extra $1, so it's like $7 instead of $6, the double hinged waiter corkscrew stores smaller, and is faster and easier to use than almost anything else. The Rabbit and electric corkscrews are also pretty darn easy, but they're far more money.

[@lizcademy4809]

Considering I originally learned with a 2-bladed wine thief, the waiter's corkscrew is easy! The twist corkscrews are fine for people who don't want to bother to learn how to use something else.

[@pwindle]

Must have been a fun day at the office! 🍷😋

[@timgorman2437]

I bought the winning Le Creuset a few months ago based on seeing the results of this testing, and I am really happy with it.

[@Shelby502420]

I would hope so. It is a substantial investment for cookware.

[@1957bots8]

Two very good inventions, first is the electric cork screw, works great 👍, second is the twist cork, no cork screw is needed. The bottle also has twist ridges inside the area where the cork sits, that’s right a twist off cork & twist back on if needed.

[@RoderickGMacLeod]

If you need more practice with a waiter's corkscrew, just drink more wine.

[@wesleybelcher9225]

Agreed... I prefer the waiters

[@catylynch7909]

Thank you for the presentation. The continual twist is, by far, my favorite wine opener. However, I do have a waiter's corkscrew, and I have had some success with it. As a short woman, I found that the bottle needs to be put on a table, or some other surface lower than most counter tops, for "the waiter," to work. It needs leverage, which isn't achievable with your arms high in front of you.

[@bentleyr00d]

Agreed. This type is just easier to use for beginners. For me, the waiters corkscrew can be hit or miss sometimes.

[@catylynch7909]

@@bentleyr00d (I'm no "beginner." LOL). There is also the question of the person opening the bottle being right/left handed. I'm a lefty, but I use my dominant hand to anchor the bottle and twist with my right. There are left-handed corkscrews that rotate counter-clockwise, to better results.

[@daveh7720]

That's a very good point. It's probably why my fiancee lets me open the wine. I find it very helpful to rest the base of the bottle on a folded tea towel or a pot holder when using a T-handle or waiter's corkscrew. The bottle is easier to hold still while inserting the screw and pulling the cork.

[@realkimchi88]

oxo's corkscrew using a lever is actually amazing lol makes it so much faster than a traditional one

[@yukjellybeans]

Darren Liu I find myself loving so many oxo tools!

[@heathwasson7811]

I've always found these wine openers an answer in search of a problem. Any decent quality waiter's style, like a Pulltex, is dead simple to use, cheaper, and smaller. Yes, you do have to know HOW to use one, but you literally only need to watch 1 bottle opened correctly and you're fully trained.

[@daveh7720]

I've never had a problem with a waiter's corkscrew. I did have a wing corkscrew come apart in my hand once while opening a bottle, but it was a cheap unit and I wasn't too surprised. But that Le Creuset looks like it's really easy to use.

[@24framedavinci39]

I rarely open wine. Probably a dozen times in my life. Never has the "waiter's" corkscrew been any less easy than the others I've used.

[@fordhouse8b]

So you have opened about 12 bottles, using at least 3 types of corkscrew . That means you have opened on average 4 bottles of wine with each type. That is not a significant sample size to base any kind of rational judgement on.

[@heathwasson7811]

@@fordhouse8b I think their entire point was that even for someone with very little experience, the classic one is easy to use.

[@fordhouse8b]

@@heathwasson7811 My point is that he doesn’t know that it “is” easy to use. It "was" easy to use the very limited number of times he used one, but he may just have gotten lucky. Or he may not have used other types enough to get the hang of them. Some tools are extremely pleasant and easy to use, but only after a learning curve. Some are fairly easy to use right from the start, but never get any better with experience. So yes, if you only plan to open wine on rare occasions, a decent basic opener, that takes up very little space, is ideal. But if you foresee yourself using the tool often, it may be worth doing a little research intent after you have mastered said tool. As in which works best after extensive experience with several types. That being said, I also open wine very rarely, so the only type I own is a simple waiter’s model. Not because I know it is the best, but because it was cheap, uncomplicated, and stores away compactly.

[@ytube777]

The key is that a waiter's corkscrew without two fulcrums is not worth using. Once you have a well made solid one though, it's head and shoulders above the other types. It is additionally compact, has foil cutter and bottle opener, and has the satisfying pop of the cork. Although minor, I don't like how the twist corkscrew breaks through the bottom of the cork... I could definitely see cork dust and bits fall through in some cases.

[@hollym5873]

love these equipment reviews, Thanks

[@lauracooks4926]

Thanks for confirming I’ve had too much practice

[@Stlmgnolia]

bought that style a year ago when u had this on 1st,but bought a knockoff on amazon for quite a bit less $$ works great

[@mefirst1211]

For me , my preferred one is the Waiters Corkscrew

[@kevinmurphy5506]

Good to see Adam back.

[@Diamond_Skies]

I was about to buy the Le Creuset opener until I read the Amazon reviews. It seems like a bit of a crap shoot due to manufacturing issues. Some of the negative reviews show that the tool falls apart after a few uses. I also wish that these had built in foil cutters. I had a Zyliss twist cork screw that had a built-in button that you pushed and it would slice open the foil. Great convenience. Too bad it's not made anymore!

[@whazzat8015]

Any concern over cork fragments? Penetrating screws can break up wine end of a cork, but this may be over rated as an issue.

[@wesleybelcher9225]

Good call

[@JustSimplyBrandon]

My go to corkscrew will always be the one on my Victorinox (and I don’t even drink wine often)

[@stemirreviews]

Thanks!

[@alexkost1]

I guess that Le Creuset bought Screwpull. Screwpull also used to make a very good single lever model that "The Rabbit" was based on.

[@howardlevinger4571]

I have an older version of this winner: it is called ‘Screwpull’ by a company called Hallen. It Is identical to the ATK winner with one fun addition: the handle comes off the screw then becomes a cover for the screw. It’s just brilliant. We’ve had ours since before Le Creuset bought the line; it is now called ‘The pocket version’. Ours must be 45 years old and we laugh at its brilliant design every time we open a bottle which is practically every night. It also folds down into its own case taking very little drawer space. Can’t get it on Amazon, we’ve tried. We just ordered it from ‘Touch of Modern’ and well see if it comes. Otherwise I concur with ATK that this is the best corkscrew and I’ve tried most of them.

[@timlocke8588]

My many, many year old Screwpull finally broke. In search of another I could not find one and bought a le Creuset which I hope will outlive me!

[@bobweiss8394]

I 've used the winning corkscrew for quite awhile. What is not mentioned is that the worm extends in length with use and becomes ineffective. However, at the price you can replace the corkscrew easily.

[@Passionforfoodrecipes]

I was writing a fun wine pun, but it got all screwed around! 😋

[@NotContinuum]

Dude. Put a cork in it.

[@hughappleton6480]

Well if you would've waited,,,,all of your answer's are at the bottom of the bottle...

[@whazzat8015]

This does not auger well for you. May leave you tapped out. Still it's tough to cap, your pretty pour excuse for a pun

[@marybretired]

Buyer Beware. I went to Amazon and purchased the “Le Cruset original” for $17 something and it is not the one recommended here. It comes with a flimsy plastic cap to fit over the bottle, the screw is short, it’s very hard to get started and very hard to remove the cork once you’ve FINALLY gotten it out of the bottle.

[@melissadana7829]

I am curious why the Le Creuset performed better than Screwpull. Screwpull was the original continuous turning corkscrew. I've had multiples of them for several decades and they rock! Anyone who ever uses it wants one. They make great gifts ;)

[@heathwasson7811]

Because LeCreuset buys more in advertising

[@larrytemp3063]

0:22 THERE HE GOES WITH THAT LAUGH

[@stuarthazard3162]

So, can we just be done with corks and put screw tops on everything????

[@knowyourhistory]

They should stop using glass bottles. Makes it super heavy and shipping costs are crazy because of it.

[@tosht2515]

I have several waiter's and winged cork screws. They're all easy to use. But my favorite is the original *_Rabbit level wine opener_* I got 20 years ago. 🍷👍

[@glbernini0]

I wish everything from Le creuset was affordable!

[@injunsun]

(Why are there dislikes on this video?) I have a favourite corkscrew, which is essentially like the winning one, only without the side window to see the cork come up. It's a wooden sideways handle, atop a wooden screw that goes down into a wooden bell, wherein the metal scew is up in the wooden one. I hid both of mine when my husband opened a bottle of very expensive wine belonging to my late husband, and drank most of it, to get drunk. Now, I can't find them! At least now I know what to look for. Thanks!

[@bentleyr00d]

Because some folks have the attitude that they know more than ATK does and it pisses them off when ATK dares to recommend something that they don't use themselves.

[@cjinasia9266]

$20 for a corkscrew? No way! Absolutely correct on the auger type screw, they are bad about tearing up corks.

[@mspayitforward5295]

Will you test electric wine openers???

[@jstones9872]

doesnt the continuous models push cork pieces into the bottle?

[@user-by7hj4dj9s]

would think so yeah, not ideal.

[@pavanc2641]

3:54....That's what she said

[@sarahmuntz2989]

Lots of comments in defense of the waiters corkscrew. That’s all well and good unless you’re short or have difficulty with your grip or have some other difference in physical ability. If you want to use a waiters corkscrew, use it! No need to disparage other options.

[@tom_something]

Has ATC been re-uploading a few of their videos this past week? I've been getting a lot of deja vu. Probably the quarantine.

[@seikibrian8641]

Air Traffic Control is uploading videos? I wonder if the people at ATK are watching any ATC videos. ;-)

[@Hittsy]

ATK typically uploads whole episodes, and then half a year later, cuts up the episodes into seperate clips, and re-uploads em.

[@tom_something]

@@Hittsy Oh, I see. Somehow I had it in my head that the full episodes and the segments were all uploaded at the same time. Thank you.

[@joralemonvirgincreche]

Which corkscrew is easiest when you have to pull the cork off the worm?

[@Diamond_Skies]

Usually with twist corkscrews, you just keep twisting and the cork will slide right off!

[@rickcormier9160]

Did you test how easy it was to get the cork off the screw in these models?

[@danielcarroll3358]

They did mention that the testers preferred the screws with a non-stick coating.

[@whazzat8015]

@@danielcarroll3358 Still can be a nuisance on many designs

[@HomegrownTyrone]

Can you do manual can openers? My kitchen aid one doesn’t work well, the handles bump up against each other and doesn’t fully close

[@nauthizzz]

www.americastestkitchen.com/equipment_reviews/2020-can-openers/

[@Hal-ug2jr]

I don't like that it is two pieces, one will get lost for sure; the waiter corkscrew just takes a bit of practice and works great.

[@howardlevinger4571]

No. It won’t. As per my comment above, we’ve had a version of this for decades; because it’s elegant design you want to put the cover right back on the corkscrew. Time-tested!!

[@eduardoasturias5831]

I dont need a corkscrew but I just love ATK.

[@oldarpanet]

Does the winning corkscrew have a little blade for cutting open the capsule? My waiter's corkscrew does. Given one or the other, and nothing else, the waiter's will get into those bottles much faster!

[@jpolar394]

When I don't have a corkscrew, I just use my Zippo lighter and warm the bottle where the cork is and in a matter of a few seconds it pops out by itself. 🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾

[@AL-pu7ux]

except you still need the waiter’s friend for the foil.

[@artfulcookingwithdawn9000]

hmmm, others say they don't trust anyone whom their dog doesn't like, I say I trust no one who does not use a waiter's friend

[@kspen1336]

Why wouldn’t a lever style corkscrew be better than all of these?

[@fordhouse8b]

The first one she demonstrated had two levers.

[@Tangeloor]

No mention of lever corkscrews? I saw her slip at least twice on the "Winner" - That one would NOT be good for anyone with hand or joint issues. This review was didn't even MENTION lever corkscrews! Whats up with that? Lever corkscrews should be their next entire segment.

[@bentleyr00d]

They tested those too, but didn't like them too much. Here is their criteria. www.cooksillustrated.com/equipment_reviews/1849-wine-openers-twist-corkscrews

[@Tangeloor]

@@bentleyr00d Thanks for the link, but pay-walled. The could have addressed their thoughts on lever's in the video, but failed to do so. I have to say, there are several that I have had that I like much better - even the Fanmara Enoteca is better that most - and I would say is better than their "Winner".

[@fordhouse8b]

@@Tangeloor They don’t want to address all their thoughts in the video. That would give you less incentive to pay a membership fee for their website. ATK is a business, and needs to generate revenue.

[@harryk1769]

Poor comparison of wine opener types, expected more from ATK

[@joseorjuela6897]

I f^cking love you people. I can't believe I've watched your show for almost two decades. Oh yeah, very little is as well designed as Le Creuset. They should design submarines.

[@whysoanger]

Hello

[@williamjones7163]

Over 200 bottles of wine? IT'S A PARRRRRRRRRTY!

[@davidparker5345]

I love the test kitchen Watched this and I don't even drink wine except on rare occasions and the box does not need a cork screw LOL Just kidding folks LOL

[@rickmiles2381]

Well done but, not the opener I have that is wanted to see tested made by Lecreuset

[@veraxis9961]

Yes, but have you ever opened a wine bottle with a Swiss Army Knife? I managed to double my yearly SAK usage last year by opening a wine bottle with it rather than going over to the drawer with the Rabbit opener in it. :-P

[@whazzat8015]

Short screw and rough grip. not a huge deal on the trail , but I have had corks break up with mine, which were a pita to extract

[@labrat7357]

A more real world test would be have a glass of bubbly, a couple of cocktails , a scotch or three while the meat rests then open the wine.

[@harryhagman6063]

0:22 S'MADA LAUGH

[@DrakeLovett]

The only thing I'm worried about with the continuous ones is the fact that the worm goes all the way through and continues past the cork, potentially putting a bit of cork in the wine, of course you could decant it out without issues though

[@carowells1607]

"A single motion-twisting the handle clockwise-not only pushes the worm into the cork but also lifts the cork as soon as the worm is fully submerged in it. Continuous-turn models usually performed better, too. Although the winged corkscrews’ levers required less effort to operate and made the process a hair faster (an average of 13.2 seconds compared with the continuous-turn models’ 14.7 seconds per bottle), these models tended to be rougher on the corks. If a new or well-preserved cork gets a little torn or gouged when the worm enters it, it shouldn’t be a problem-in most cases, you should still be able to get the cork out intact.

[@seikibrian8641]

@@carowells1607 Getting the cork out of the bottle isn't the issue. The issue is getting little bits of cork in the wine.

[@whazzat8015]

Which sure adds an inelegant 15 minutes to the mal

[@ratlips4363]

Nice evaluation. I just ordered 2...thanks

[@docclabo6350]

The greatest corkscrew ever is the Le Creuset Pocket Model, formerly known as the Screwpull pocket model, (www.lecreuset.com/pocket-model-black). It works even better than your winner. I love the ability to spin the cork out with a fingertip.

[@machinist7230]

I wonder how they compare to rabbit style openers.

[@carowells1607]

They didn't like them as much.

[@whazzat8015]

@@carowells1607 really no advantage. $$, heavy, bulky, often hard to remove cork from screw. more promise than action. better table mounts are good if you are opening industrial quantities and electrics if you have arthritis

[@BillyRamirez]

I find synthetic corks to be much easier to remove.

[@sgsmozart]

The waiter's corkscrew is the best...just educate yourself on the technique of using it....from someone who has been in the business for many decades..

[@chriholt]

Adam is awesome - like a big teddy bear!

[@MrDjuhasz]

That green screen looks real badddd

[@adamthomas7232]

Isn't the LeCruest just a modern version of the 3 decade old ScrewPull (which I think was an actual brand)?

[@howardlevinger4571]

Adam Thomas Yes! See my comment close to the top of the comment section. The original Screwpull was made by Hallen. Might be FOUR decades by now 😎

[@buttonsbebe]

Bridgette was struggling.

[@stevenreichertart]

For your next trick, get the cork off the corkscrew!

[@anonimushbosh]

Nothing beats an old fashioned T-shaped one you jam between your legs and goes POP!!!

[@TheBrokenLife]

Nobody is going to talk me out of my Rabbit bottle opener. The thing is a total beast. Bottle open and cork removed from the tool in about 5 seconds, total.

[@veraxis9961]

Agreed. rabbit corkscrews are great.

[@whazzat8015]

@@veraxis9961 but a lot of the copies aren"t

[@hughappleton6480]

@ -4:46 ,,do you think that they should've had the corkscrews in a upright position so we could've seen them,,,terribly edited..

[@fordhouse8b]

No, well edited. The point of these videos is not to give us as much information as possible, but to give us just enough so that we will go to their website and pay a membership fee. If you want to see them, you have to pay. Nothing really wrong with that.

[@etherdog]

You didn't taste the wine. :-(

[@gregjohnson720]

It is LE (pronounced LUH) Creuset and not LES (Lay) Creuset. Le is singular and LEs is plural. Bonne chance.

[@stephenaustin3026]

You'd think that someone with a culinary career would at least make a token effort to pronounce foreign words correctly.

[@davejones5747]

@@stephenaustin3026 Right? Why can't they be more pompous!?!

[@stephenaustin3026]

@@davejones5747 Why can't they be less ignorant and disrespectful of other people's culture and languages?

[@bentleyr00d]

That's exactly how Adam says it. Bridget is less...umm...proficient with French words🤫

[@ScottWilliamson]

Box wine. Problem solved. I have a waiters corkscrew for emergencies

[@brentstraddle1462]

Have you seen the comments on Amazon? How many uses were used with 1 corkscrew? Overpriced and very cheaply built and does not last.

[@stevetimko1461]

Le Crueset makes great corkscrews but that one is't the best. The waiters friend isn't hard to use. The Rabbit with a long handle is easier and better. The best corkscrew is The Durand but it's $180.

[@fordhouse8b]

So you paid $180 for a corkscrew?

[@_fidelio]

Just use a waiter's corkscrew. Anything else is training wheels.

[@danf321]

Sorry, but a hefty Waiters Corkscrew, for me, is the best. To me, less clunky and troublesome than the winged twist style. This host has trouble with a Waiters Corkscrew ?? Hmmm.

[@fordhouse8b]

They're not recommending corkscrews based on the opinions or abilities of the hosts. They had a panel of testers use all of them on hundreds of bottles, calculated the average time each type took to open a bottle, and the how many corks didn’t come out cleanly. This doesn’t mean the recommended opener worked the best for every tester, or was the favorite of al testers, and it certainly doesn’t mean that you will like it better than a hefty Waiters Corkscrew. Hmmm, it is almost as if you are still free to use any corkscrew you like.

[@fromtheblues]

Was that 2 buck Chuck! I live in Paso Robles, I'll send you guys a real bottle of wine.

[@whazzat8015]

It's OK vin ordinaire. no seeds or stems

[@hughappleton6480]

I think one word describes bridget's on air personality,,,,,, contrived deliberately created rather than arising naturally or spontaneously.

[@fordhouse8b]

Most of the interactions between all of their on-air staff seems stilted and stiff. Sometimes to the point where I almost feel like I am watching a hostage video.

[@patricklarry6645]

I disagree. She's funny and keeps it professional.

[@charleshetrick3152]

Does anyone know the dough recipe for Pietro’s Pizza in Milwaukee Oregon?

[@davejones5747]

Yes

[@charleshetrick3152]

Dave Jones ...are you able to share this knowledge?

[@seikibrian8641]

@@charleshetrick3152 He didn't say *he* knows, he just answered your question "Does *anyone* know." ;-)

[@andrewyarosh1809]

charles hetrick what does this have to do with corkscrews?

[@fordhouse8b]

@@andrewyarosh1809 Charlie clearly believes that if he could crack the secret to Pietro’s delicious pizza, it could make him a millionaire. Do you realize how many corkscrews a millionaire can afford?

[@hxhdfjifzirstc894]

Bridget is fine wine. Even Adam is digging it.

[@rollymeeks7031]

That corkscrew went up in price pretty quick - now over $30 if you follow the Amazon link...just sayin'

[@tamasb4458]

No Campagnolo Big Corkscrew? What a dilettantism....

[@GotTwins29]

Get the Houdini lever corkscrew... Last one you'll ever buy!

[@Kjones238]

i’m looking for good storage containers you guys should do a review on that. Storage containers for flour, oats, beans, rice etc. pantry items. Right now i’m using giant mason jars but they’re so heavy.

[@josephgosselin1808]

Trina Jones used Tupperware’s canister set for years. Love them. In fact after around 30 yrs it’s time to use life time warranty to get new ones as the lids are not sealing as air tight as they were.

[@fordhouse8b]

For smaller amounts, I like round deli containers. They come in 8, 12, 16, 24, and 32 ounce sizes, and all use interchangeable lids. They stack easily, and when empty, really compactly. Great for leftovers too. www.webstaurantstore.com/search/deli-containers.html I buy a few different kinds of rice and grains in bulk (10-20 pound bags), and like these containers for that. www.webstaurantstore.com/search/deli-containers.html

[@whazzat8015]

@@fordhouse8b only trouble is you have to buy a bunch, still then, you are set for life and they stack well

[@jerrygundecker743]

Corkscrews? really?

[@sabazafar9562]

Please give the recipe for red curry paste in Thai cuisine. Thanks

[@465maltbie]

Once you pierce all the way through the cork it will leak. Charles

[@sussanjcardona6729]

I will see you later 😏🤔😧🤯😍

[@kinglouie4115]

Corks are sooo yesterday! Screw tops will eventually rein. They provide every bit of protection, and more, than a cork. Corks are a waste of time!

[@KenS1267]

I agree but until then there are many vineyards that only use corks so you still need a corkscrew

[@fordhouse8b]

Reins are also sooo yesterday, they went out with the horse and buggy. Cars already reign. They provide every bit of the speed, and more, than a horse. Horses are a waste of time!

[@BlueHen123]

But no satisfying pop from the cork coming out...booo

[@fobMCRspPATD]

I don’t like this format

[@whazzat8015]

yep, just promotional not much meaningful comparison

[@avalon449]

I buy wine in a box. No corkscrew needed.

[@todd.goslin6190]

Wow. Completely useless.

[@hughappleton6480]

More lame banter from bridget,,,,I usually watch the first 30 seconds then skip to near the end ...

[@mizzpittsburghsteelers7486]

Who cares as long as it opens the bottle!!! Lol