There are times, when out camping, that a beverage is trapped in a capped bottle and I don't have an opener. How do I open the bottle, preferably with some item I might have in my pockets?
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1@JustSomeGuy Have you tried anything that didn't work? Did you try opening it with you hand and that didn't work?– liebs19Dec 16, 2014 at 14:06
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I usually wrap my lid in a thick napkin and twist.– L.B.Dec 19, 2014 at 1:02
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4 Answers
There are many, many options for bottle cap removal.
As mentioned but not really explained there's the lighter trick:
The key to this method is having a tight grip on the neck of the bottle so that your hand/fulcrum doesn't move when you apply force with the lighter/lever. You can apply this method with most anything you have lying around: keys, spoons, or even other beer bottles, not just lighters. A friend of mine used to do a party trick where he would open two bottles in one motion, its was a risky trick though he would usually spill at least one of the beers.
Another option is the counter top method:
This method will tend to chip and scratch most counter tops so I don't recommend it. You just sit the lip of the cap on the edge of a counter or table and smack the top of the bottle. If you can find a surface that isn't likely to be damaged this method is pretty reliable though.
You can also pry the cap lose with a knife or key:
Again I don't really recommend this method, its tedious and slow, but it works. You work the edge of a key under the individual folds in the cap and pry them out. after going half way around the bottle the cap should come off easily.
See this wikiHow article for a few more options, most are more or less variations on the same basic principles described above using different tools, but it does give some pretty good step by step directions.
Anything hard with an edge can be used to lever the cap off with a tight enough grip on the bottle.
Possible things you might have around while camping:
- A spoon
- A lighter
- A knife
- A rock
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1Could you be more specific as to how you get a grip on the cap. Simply prying will probably result in tool slip and possibly injury to your prying hand as it hits the lip of the cap.– user100Dec 11, 2014 at 16:30
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@KevinJohnsrude If you want to avoid potential injury, it's probably best to use a tool designed for the job.– fredleyDec 11, 2014 at 16:35
With another bottle!
The idea is that you use the bottle cap of another bottle as a lever and to prise the bottle cap off. If you don't want to risk doing that with a unopened bottle a loose cap will do.
A ring on your finger will work too. It's a little tricky, but I got it to work on my first try.
Basically using the ring to grab the metal edges of the cap, and prying them away from the bottle. Get 3-5 prongs to loosen up and then go back to the center prong and put more pressure than before. This time it should (more or less) open right up.
Hold the bottle high on the neck, almost as close as you can to the bottle cap.
The ring is going to feel like it's cutting into your finger, but it won't actually break any skin.
If you have a cheaper quality ring, you'll (eventually) notice a bit of deformation in the ring.
I wouldn't do this with a nice ring, it'll likely scratch the ring.
Youtube link showing exactly what I'm talking about: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-HSgXflNec
LifeHacker Article: http://lifehacker.com/5082121/open-a-beer-bottle-with-a-ring
Make a $2 purchase and get a bad-ass Ring Thing Bottle Opener: http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=ring+beer+opener&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=29940260847&hvpos=1s1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=18431845672630519405&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_5kqp0i9zkt_b
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Take care if you're using this option, as you are effectively using your finger bones as leverage to open the bottle. In other words, there is a risk of injuring your finger!– holroyMar 30, 2015 at 9:13