Question: my airlock cork slid down the carboy neck...

atomeyes · Post by **atomeyes** » Sat Feb 18, 2012 6:49 pm

So I was putting the airlock into the carboy and, for some reason, the airlock cork slid 3/4 down the carboy neck.
there's a proper seal (i checked by pouring vodka onto the top of the airlock), so I decided to leave it be until racking time.
so, what would you suggest I do to get it out?
if i push it down, i'll lose it in the carboy forever.
i can probably get it out, i assume, by putting something into the cork's hole to pull out.
any suggestions?

phirleh · Post by **phirleh** » Sat Feb 18, 2012 8:19 pm

Maybe a corkscrew, if it's wide enough to get through the hole and firm enough grip to pull it out?

matt7215 · Post by **matt7215** » Sun Feb 19, 2012 8:25 am

when this happened to me i used an allen key

iguenard · Post by **iguenard** » Sun Feb 19, 2012 9:37 am

I've once used a pair of pliers. Just squeezed the heck out of it.

You could always buy a 20 cent fish hook. Just don't use an old one

beeton · Post by **beeton** » Sun Feb 19, 2012 11:04 am

How to get a cork out of an empty bottle without breaking it

Dave ♪

iguenard · Post by **iguenard** » Sun Feb 19, 2012 11:13 am

beeton wrote:How to get a cork out of an empty bottle without breaking it

Dave ♪

Brilliant!

KwaiLo · Post by **KwaiLo** » Sun Feb 19, 2012 11:47 am

I used needle nosed pliers. Put them in the hole with the teeth together, then pulled the teeth apart to grab tight.

atomeyes · Post by **atomeyes** » Sun Feb 19, 2012 11:02 pm

KwaiLo wrote:I used needle nosed pliers. Put them in the hole with the teeth together, then pulled the teeth apart to grab tight.

i was thinking of that.

a mini version of a toggle anchor would be perfect as well.

but my wife is a dental hygiene student. i might look for a tool with a small, hooked edge and see if that will do it.

atomeyes · Post by **atomeyes** » Sun Feb 19, 2012 11:03 pm

beeton wrote:How to get a cork out of an empty bottle without breaking it

Dave ♪

except that corks for carboys are fatter at the top end. not sure if it will work.

Derek · Post by **Derek** » Sun Feb 19, 2012 11:55 pm

I've done that a couple of times... a strong crochet hook works well.

JeffPorter · Post by **JeffPorter** » Mon Feb 20, 2012 8:05 am

beeton wrote:How to get a cork out of an empty bottle without breaking it

Dave ♪

My dad used to do this trick with a napkin - same idea, but you twist up the napkin until the cork gets caught in the folds, and pull.

If you do end up pushing your cork in, and if you have another person around to help it might work, but both the cork and the neck of the carboy are different shapes, so I'm not sure...