Wine, beer, and soft drinks all have a cork or cap which seal them, but some, especially most beer bottles, require an opener for easy access. Choosing a suitable bottle opener requires putting a few things into consideration. Bottle openers often come in different sizes, shapes, and functions. Some may even be automatic. This guide will walk you through all you need to consider to get yourself your ideal bottle opener.
Uses of Bottle Openers
Bottle openers serve two purposes: commercial and home uses. If you intend to use the bottle opener for commercial purposes, your considerations will be very different compared to someone who wants to get one for home use.
Priorities change if you're purchasing the bottle opener for commercial use. First, you should factor in its usability - you want to make sure it's easy to use with little to no strain. Also, you want something that will last a long time.
Furthermore, speed is a factor not to be ignored as you need a bottle opener that gets the job done quickly. On the other hand, for someone who wants a bottle opener to use at home, aesthetics and quality are the core factors to be considered.
Types of Bottle Openers
There are two types of bottle openers out there; knowing the difference will save you time.
Electric Bottle Openers
Electric bottle cap openers do exist, but these are almost always novelty devices that don't serve much of a practical purpose. Because of their limited usefulness, we won't spend much time discussing electric openers here. If you're looking for an electric wine bottle opener, we've covered those elsewhere.
Manual Bottle Openers
Regardless of how far technology has come, classic bottle openers will always have a place in our hearts. One fantastic thing about manual bottle openers is that they are often multi-purpose as they can serve as both a beer bottle and can opener. Whether you work behind the bar or are just looking for a kitchen utensil, you'll find bottle openers extremely helpful. Keep on reading for more considerations you should keep in mind.
What should I consider before I buy a new bottle opener?
Before you choose one, you should know what you are searching for. Here are some factors you should consider before you buy a bottle opener.
Convenience
Bottle openers are an essential accessory, and some are even designed to be carried around. For example, they can be hung from your pants just like a keychain. You should also consider if they can fit into your pocket; knowing the answers to these questions is vital because not all bottle openers are the same.
Cost
With the differences in style and design, there is a price variation. The simple openers are often more affordable than other models. If you are looking to get something more versatile, you may have to spend more on advanced openers. However, if what you want is to just get the job done, you have plenty of choices.
Build material
Most bottle openers are made of stainless steel or metal. Some of them incorporate wood or plastic in the grip area. Materials play a vital role in the weight of the opener. Metal openers are preferred for heavy-duty functions, which is why the vast majority of bottle openers you'll encounter are made of some kind of metal. Also, don't ignore the material used in the handle because this is where you'll apply force.
Opener design
The classic pry-bar style bottle opener has since morphed into something more, with some of them being unconventional, fun, and good-looking. Beyond the looks, you also have to consider the ergonomics regarding ease of use.
Bottle opener size
Convenience is a function of size, and small bottle openers are usually easier carry around compared to the bigger ones. But there are bottle openers that are small but heavy due to the material they are made of. Ultimately, the size of the bottle opener you choose depends on your personal preferences.
Type
Bottle openers can either be electric or manual. The manual bottle opener is broader in shape, size, and design. Manual bottle openers include bar blades, churchkeys, pocket bottle openers, and keychains. Generally speaking, electric bottle openers are novelty items that are designed for entertainment rather than functionality.
Uses
Some bottle openers are made to be multi-purpose, which means they can be used for metal caps, corks, and plastic twist caps. If you love to have your tools be like a Swiss Army Knife, you should consider a multi-functional bottle opener like a waiter's corkscrew.
FAQs
Q. What type of machine is a bottle opener?
A. Bottle openers are categorized as a second-class lever. The head of the opener's exterior edge serves as the fulcrum, which helps hold down the cap, while the hole that hooks the lid to be lifted is the load.
Q. Which type of bottle openers do bartenders use?
A. They often use a bar blade because it is flat and easy to handle. While less common, some bartenders may use bartender pocket knives that have bottle opener features. Crafty bartenders who don't have immediate access to a bottle opener can also use silverware to pop caps open in a pinch, but that's just uncouth if you do it in front of dinner guests.
Q. What is the best bottle opener for my kitchen?
A. The ideal opener in the kitchen would be the multi-functional option which can open bottles and cans.
Final Thoughts
Getting the perfect bottle opener shouldn’t be difficult if you carefully follow the instructions in this guide. But note that your choice ultimately depends on preference and intended use!