This story is part of Try This, CNET’s collection of simple tips to rapidly improve your life.
When you’re shopping for a new beer to try at the store, you might not be thinking about the cap — whether it’s a twist-off or a pop-off top, for example. If you catch the latter and realize you don’t have a bottle opener, don’t worry. You’ve probably got something to help you get the cap out. We’ve got tons of creative and slightly unusual ways you can try opening your drinks, and you probably have at least one item you need.
So instead of cracking the top with a rock and hoping for the best, use force and leverage to your advantage and try one of these safer methods for getting that stubborn cap off when you have a dedicated bottle on hand. Don’t be an opener. For more at-home tips, here’s how to clean your oven without harsh chemicals and how to safely grate an avocado yourself.
@cnetdotcom 15 ways to open a beer bottle w/oa bottle opener are linked in our bio. #trythis#tipsandtricks#nobottleopener#beertok#beerbottlepop#lifehack#gunessbeer Ultimate Life Hacks – Kelly – The Life Bath
Smartphone and tablet chargers can open a bottle
Smartphone and tablet chargers have been used to open bottles. Place one of the two prongs from the wall plug end under the cap and face up. This method will take longer than the others, but who doesn’t have a charger?
Since this may damage the charger, we do not recommend using your favorite charger.
MacBook or iPad chargers can open a bottle
MacBook or iPad chargers can be used just like a real bottle opener. The circular crown that holds the two-prong adapter or extension cord in place is shaped such that it can be used to remove the cap. Just be careful, as the plastic is known to crack and it’s cheaper to buy a bottle opener than to replace the charger. It’s probably a better idea to explore other options before resorting to this.
A countertop or table can be a great bottle opener
Use a countertop or table to open the cap, not your gorgeous granite or marble countertop or beautiful wooden table or anything else you don’t want to ruin. Choose one with a sharp edge, rather than a rounded one, so that you can position the lid just right. Place the lip of the cap on a pointed corner of the counter and slam down on the top of the cap while gently pulling the bottle down. It’s quick and easy and gets the job done without using any tools.
If you’re worried about scratching your countertop or table, try placing a thin kitchen towel between it and the bottle cap. Or find a surface you don’t worry about.
any metal can come up
Use whatever metal you have. If you’re outside, slide the cap off along the edge of any metal railing or metal bumper (if you have one). If you’re inside, use the metal handles on your dresser or cabinet. You can pop the top off in the same way as with a countertop – by placing the lip on the edge and snapping down on the lid while pulling the bottle down.
sunglasses can open a bottle
You always have your sunglasses, don’t you? Get a pair that also doubles as a bottle opener. William Painter makes a great pair of bottle-opener sunglasses, or you can pick up an inexpensive version to pop the lid off.
sandals in a pinch
It just needed some forward thinking: There are some cool sandals out there that have a built-in bottle opener. Reef makes sandals that come equipped with a bottle opener on the underside of the shoe. All you have to do is whip out the flip-flops, pop off the bottle cap, and put your shoe back on. Just be sure to clean the bottle opener from time to time, as it can become clogged with sand or dirt.
Reef sandals can open your bottle, so keep them clean.
rock
a house key can remove a hat
A house key would definitely work. It’s usually thin enough to fit under a bottle cap, but it works best if you leave it on your key chain, as other items attached to your keys will give you more grip. Grasp the neck of the bottle and place the protruding part of the key under the cap. Move the key back and forth until you can pry the lid open. You have to work on this for a minute. If something goes wrong, don’t use a key you can’t replace.
Scissors can pry off the cap
Scissors, made of steel with handles, can provide grip and leverage. But they are also sharp, so be careful not to cut or cut your finger when removing the cap from the bottle. There are two ways to do this – by opening the scissors and by closing the scissors. The closed and safe option is to place the scissors under the cap and pry upwards. The open alternative (which is unsafe and we don’t recommend) is to put the scissors around the bottom of the cap and wiggle until it comes up.
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a lighter can
Have a lighter? By holding the spout with your non-dominant hand and placing the bottom of the lighter over the knuckle of your index finger and under the rim of the cap, you can use leverage to remove the bottle cap. With some practice, you can send a hat flying using just a lighter.
a fork can fall out of a hat
A fork works great too. It’s usually easier to wrap the tine inside the groove of the cap, and you can loosen the cap with less force by using a different tine of the fork. Don’t use your best silverware.
a spoon can turn the lid
If you’re at someone’s house and they can’t find a bottle opener, chances are there’s at least one spoon lying around that you can use to your thirst’s advantage. It may take some practice to get the grip right. Try to hold the neck of the bottle as close to the cap as you can get it with your non-dominant hand. Place the spoon under the lip of the cap and using the base of your thumb as a fulcrum, loosen the cap. Again, don’t use your best silverware.
Butter knife can be a stand-in bottle opener
The tip of a butter knife can be used to pry off a small section of a bottle cap. Then place the tip of the knife under the lip, so that it is between the cap and the rim of the glass. Carefully and quickly tap the handle of the knife on the counter to pop off the cap. And again, don’t use your best silverware.
A flathead, or slotted, screwdriver can open a bottle.
A flathead screwdriver works just as well with the same general instructions: Place the head of the screwdriver under the lip of the cap and use leverage to carefully pry it loose as you work your way around the cap. You can also tap the handle of the screwdriver on the countertop to open the lid.
Pry off the bottle cap with a flathead screwdriver.
Derek Poore / CNET
claw hammer is another word for bottle opener
A claw hammer can also be used. Turn the hammer upside down and place the claw end (now pointing up) under the lip. Now carefully peel off the lid from the side of the claw.
a ring can open a bottle
This one’s a bit tricky because a lot can go wrong to harm you or your ring, but if you’re confident, it’s an option that’s said to work. When wearing a wide band ring, tuck the edge under the bottle cap. Get a firm grip on the cap with your hand and tilt the bottle in the opposite direction until the cap pops off. again please Please Be careful and don’t use a ring you care about.
For more tips, here’s how to start a fire with snacks and how to wash a car without water.
