The first thing to do when using a basic corkscrew is to make sure you have a good one. The twisted metal spiral that you insert into the cork is known as a worm, and an ideal worm should be 1 ? to 2 inches long. The worm should also have smooth, rounded edges so that it won't mangle the cork as you try to remove it. Now comes the tricky part: actually extracting the cork.
Instructions
1. Center the tip of the worm on top of the cork. Centering the worm is crucial for ensuring that your cork comes out intact.
2. Insert the tip only into the cork. Keep the corkscrew at an angle while you push the very end into the cork.
3. Hold the corkscrew vertically above the cork once you have inserted the tip.
4. Twist the corkscrew until it is fully inserted into the cork. Do not let the worm extend beyond the bottom of the cork.
5. Pull the corkscrew up, gently twisting as you go. Since extracting a cork is approximately equivalent to lifting 100 pounds, actually getting the cork to come out can be difficult. If you have inserted the worm correctly, though, you should be able to pull, twist and remove without an excessive exertion of effort.
Tags: into cork, extracting cork, have inserted, worm should