What Is A Bar Key? Types Of Bottle Openers And Their Uses
For a bartender or any person working behind the kitchen, a bottle opener is the best tool to have. Out of all bottle openers out there, one of the most used is the bar key. Also known as “speed opener,” “popper,” and “mamba,” this bar tool is so convenient that it can fit inside the pockets.
Aside from the bar key, there are other types of bottle openers that you can equip your bar or kitchen with. Read on to learn more about them.
What is a Bar Key Used for?
Bar keys are bottle openers that are flat and compact. It is a no-frill, no-nonsense bar tool that can fit in the bartender’s back pocket, stick it into a keychain or fit it in retractable reels or armbands.
What is the Circle Part of the Bar Key Used for?
For the untrained, the circular end is mainly for attaching the bar key to the keychain or the retractable reel. But to the professional bartenders, it can be used as an opener too. It may take practice to use this part, but the circular hole is a lot cooler to use than the traditional end as it does not damage the popped bottle cap.
What is the Other End of the Bar Key Used for?
One end of the bar key has a circular hole, while the other is designed to look like the conventional bottle opener we know of today. It has a lip to catch the edge of the bottle cap.
Pull out your favorite bottle of beer from the cooler without drenching your hand in icy water by using the circular end of the bar key. This is the primary function of that end that many do not know.
The circular end of the bar key is also perfect for adding flair to opening bottles. Why settle for bland when you can have a flourish? It can also be used as a strainer. Prepare your cocktail with just the basics - shaker, knife, and serving glass.
Other Types of Bottle Openers
1. Crown Cork Opener
This is the traditional bottle opener, designed to remove the crown cork. The crown cork is what we now know as the bottle cap for beers and bottled soft drinks. However, to distinguish it from the more modern bottle caps, we will use the correct term - cork crown.
The crown cork opener is also known as the church-key because it resembles the literal key’s shape in a Church. After so many years, it has been improved to make it more efficient, but the primary purpose of opening bottles remained the same.
It has a rectangular or rounded opening on one end and a handle on the other end. The handle may be of the same material as the head, or it may come with a wooden or rubber-coated handle. Both hands should work to open the bottle. One hand to hold the bottle and the other to hold the bottle opener.
2. Wall-Mounted Opener
These are wall-mounted bottle openers that can work with a single hand as the wall provides stability to the lever for easier opening. Newer versions have collector caps underneath or a magnet to prevent littering bottle caps on the floor.
3. Multi-Opener
Multi-openers are for multitasking people who want one tool to do more than one task. These can come with a corkscrew for opening wine bottles, a piercer to pierce milk or beer cans, or an opener for plastic bottles.
Bartenders do not only open beer bottles. They also open wine bottles that come with cork stoppers. Not getting the cork stopper correctly may result in shredded cork that may come in contact with your precious wine. Clients will not appreciate wine with floating bits of cork.
4. Waiter’s Friend
Also known as a wine key, the Waiter’s Friend is similar to a Swiss army knife as it comes with a corkscrew, bottle opener, and a knife or foil cutter to remove the foil top that protects the cork and serves as an additional seal for the wine.
This is no longer used in bars since it usually results in floating cork bits in the wine.
5. Mounted Corkscrew
The mounted corkscrew is more efficient in removing the cork from wine bottles as it is more mechanical. The bottle is attached to the cork remover, and the handle is pulled down. The cork is removed clean out of the bottle.
The more recent adaption to the mounted corkscrew is the uncorking machine with a table stand. Some versions can even put the cork back into the bottle for storing the leftover wine for later’s consumption.
6. Twin Prong Cork Puller
Also called Butler’s friend, this opener resembles the church-key. But instead of the end for opening the bottle, it comes with two strips of metal. The metal ends are inserted into between the cork and the bottle and are later pulled out to bring the cork out.
Compared to the traditional corkscrew, this takes out the wine stopper cleaner with small chances of getting into the wine.
More Bottle Opener Options
You might love the bullet bottle openers for a more badass option. This all-in-one tool will also help you open bottles more efficiently with its corkscrew, bottle opener, and foil cutter. Dazzle your guests and clients with the lovely wine bottle openers that work efficiently and are a good conversation piece in home bars.
Conclusion
The bar opener you choose should provide you ease and efficiency for better bar service. So, go on, flip off those beer caps, slide with a smile, and go on to the next customer.
Efficiency and speed will earn you a good reputation and more importantly, more tips. Add a few flairs and tricks, and voila! You may be the next top bartender to look out for.
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