Xiaomi’s electric corkscrew: full instruction from unpacking to opening the 1000th bottle

Xiaomi’s electric corkscrew is not just a wine-opening gadget, but a full-fledged kitchen assistant that combines stylish design, technology and convenience. The brand has launched several models, from the compact Mijia Electric Corkscrew to the advanced Viomi devices with backlit and automatic detection of the type of cork. But even such a simple device requires the right handling, otherwise you risk spoiling both the bottle and the device itself.

In this article, we will look at all the steps of working with the Xiaomi corkscrew, from the first unpacking to solving typical problems. You will learn how to insert the cork correctly, what settings are available in the Mi Home app, and why the device can suddenly stop pulling the corks. And also unique life hacks for using the corkscrew for non-standard tasks (for example, opening bottles with a wide neck).

1. What Xiaomi corkscrew models exist and how they differ

There are three main lines of Xiaomi electric corkscrews on the market, each focused on different user needs, with major differences in power, functionality and compatibility with the Mi Home ecosystem.

The most budget-friendly model, the Mijia Electric Corkscrew (MDZ-21-DC), is suitable for home use and opens up to 80 bottles on a single charge. The more advanced Viomi Smart Electric Corkscrew features a plug-recognition sensor and automatically adjusts the force. Finally, the Xiaomi Youpin Wine Opener is a premium version with a metal body and support for fast charging.

• 🔋 Mijia MDZ-21-DC: 800 mAh battery capacity, 2 hours charging time, 210 g weight Suitable for standard wine plugs (up to 28 mm diameter).
• 💡 Viomi Smart: 1200 mAh capacity, built-in lighting, automatic cork type detection (natural/synthetic) compatible with Mi Home for statistics tracking.
• ⚡ Youpin Premium: 1500 mAh, fast charging (1 hour), aluminum alloy case. Works with plugs up to 30 mm in diameter.

Important: Viomi and Youpin support firmware updates through the app, allowing you to fix bugs and add new features. For example, the latest update for Viomi Smart introduced the option of “quiet mode” to open bottles at night.

2. First inclusion and preparation for work

Before you first use the corkscrew Xiaomi need to follow a few mandatory steps, starting with unpacking: in the kit you will find the device itself, a charging cable (usually USB-Type-C), a spare screw for mounting the spiral and instructions in Chinese (it can be safely ignored – we will give a more detailed guide).

Step-by-step training:

Charge the corkscrew to 100% (the indicator burns green)

Set the spiral (spin clockwise before clicking)

Check the fastening of the plug holder (should move freely)

Download the Mi Home app (if the model supports connectivity)

-->

Pay special attention to the installation of the spiral, which should sit tightly, but not be skewed — otherwise, when opening the bottle, the spiral may bend. If the kit comes with a spare screw, save it: when used actively, the mounting of the spiral loosens after about 500 openings.

⚠️ Warning: Don't use Xiaomi's corkscrew for plastic cork bottles (for example, for cheap wines or liquors). The spiral can slip through and damage the mechanism.

3. How to open the bottle correctly: step-by-step instructions

Now, the most important thing is opening the bottle. The process seems simple, but there are nuances that affect the life of the device. Consider the algorithm using the Viomi Smart model (for other models, the steps are similar, but there may be no automatic cork detection).

Step 1: Preparing the bottle

Remove the foil from the neck (you can use a knife or a special cutter that comes with some models). Wipe the neck with a napkin - moisture or residue of foil can interfere with the tight fit of the cork holder.

Step 2. Installation of the corkscrew

Place the cork holder on the neck of the bottle so that the spiral is strictly in the center of the cork, and on the models with backlit (Viomi) the blue indicator will light up, signaling the correct position.

Step 3: Removing the plug

Press and hold the on button (on most models it is located on the top). The corkscrew will start to spin the spiral down, and then automatically remove the cork. Don't release the button until the characteristic click, which means that the cork has completely left the neck.

⚠️ Warning: If a cork is stuck halfway, don't try to pull it out manually, it could break the spiral. Instead, press the button backwards (there's a separate button REV on the Viomi and Youpin models), then try again.

💡

If the cork is too tight, slightly heat the bottle neck with warm water (not boiling water!) - this will help the cork to get out easier.

4. Setup via the Mi Home app (for smart models)

The Viomi Smart and Youpin Premium models support connectivity to the Mi Home app, which opens up additional possibilities, such as tracking the number of open bottles, adjusting the speed of cork extraction, or enabling night mode for silent operation.

How to connect the corkscrew to Mi Home:

1. Open the Mi Home app and click Add Device.
2. Select the category Kitchen → Corkscrew.
3. Hold the power button on the corkscrew for 5 seconds until the indicator blinks.
4. Confirm the connection in the application.

After connecting to the device menu, the following options will be available:

• 📊 Statistics: number of open bottles, average time to retrieve cork.
• ⚙️ Speed settings: Choosing between "fast" and "neat" modes.
• 🌙 Night mode: reduces noise and brightness of backlights.
• 🔄 Firmware update: checking current versions of the software.

5. Care and maintenance: how to prolong the life of a corkscrew

Xiaomi's electric corkscrew isn't a disposable device, but its life is directly dependent on proper care. The main problems users face are blunting the coil, battery drain and cork holder breakdown. Let's look at how to avoid that.

Cleaning the spiral

After each use, wipe the coil with a wet wipe to remove the remnants of cork and wine. Once a month, it is recommended to wash it with warm water and soap, then dry thoroughly. Never use abrasives or metal brushes - they will damage the anti-corrosion coating of the coil.

Charging the battery

Xiaomi's lithium-ion batteries don't like to be fully discharged. Try to recharge the device when the indicator shows less than 20% charge. A full discharge cycle (up to 0%) reduces battery life by 10-15%.

• 🔌 Use the original cable – cheap analogues can damage the charging controller.
• 🔋 Store the corkscrew at 40-60% charge if you do not plan to use it for a long time.
• 🚫 Do not leave on charging for more than 4 hours - this can lead to overheating.

Verification of the mechanism

Every six months, check the helical and cork hold attachment. If you notice a backlash, tighten the screws with a screwdriver (with the Youpin Premium comes a special key). On Mijia models, the screws can weaken after 300-400 openings.

💡

Regular cleaning of the spiral and proper charging increase the life of the corkscrew by 30-40%.

Typical problems and their solutions

Even the most reliable devices sometimes break down. Below we have collected the most common problems with Xiaomi corkscrews and how to fix them. If your situation is not described here, check the warranty card - most models have a 12-month warranty.

Special situation: If the corkscrew is stuck in the bottle, don't try to pull it out by force.

1. Release the power button.
2. Carefully spin the bottle counterclockwise to ease the pressure.
3. Press the reverse button (REV) if it is in your model.

⚠️ Warning: If the spiral bends, don't try to straighten it, it will cause the engine to break. Order a new spiral from official Xiaomi dealers (Article for Mijia MDZ-21-DC: MDZ21-SPIRAL).

7. Life hacks: Unobvious ways to use a corkscrew

Xiaomi’s electric corkscrew can be used for more than just its intended purpose, but here are some creative applications that will come in handy in the kitchen:

• 🍾 Champagne opening: A corkscrew spiral is suitable for extracting corks from sparkling wines, but act carefully - bottle pressure can push the cork too sharply. Keep the bottle at an angle of 45°.
• 🍯 Removal of lids from jars: If there is no opener at hand, a corkscrew spiral can be used to tuck metal lids (for example, on cans of honey or jam).
• 🧀 Cheese slicing: The thin spiral does a great job with soft cheeses (bree, camembert). Just swipe the corkscrew over the piece like a knife.
• 🎨 DIY- Phone stand: The cork holder can be used as a makeshift tripod for a smartphone (e.g., for video recipes).

And Xiaomi's corkscrew can be an original gift, like the Youpin Premium, which is often given for weddings or anniversaries, complete with a bottle of good wine, and some users even engraved initials or the date of the event on the case.

💡

If you often open bottles with non-standard corks (for example, Portuguese wines with long cork stoppers), buy a removable spiral with an elongated screw (suitable for Viomi Smart).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions