Opening a bottle of wine is often a challenge, especially if you donโt have a reliable tool at hand and the cork is crumbled or sitting too tight. Xiaomiโs modern ecosystem offers an elegant solution to this problem in the form of an automatic electric corkscrew that can cope with the task in seconds. Smart gadget owners often underestimate this accessory, considering it a superfluous one, but once you try it in action, you probably donโt want to go back to mechanical models.
In this detailed guide, we will cover all aspects of the device operation, from first charging to solving common problems. You will learn not only basic principles of operation, but also subtleties that will help to extend the life of your automatic corkscrew.
The device is a compact cylinder of stainless steel and durable plastic, hiding a powerful motor and battery inside. The principle of operation is based on the rotation of a spiral drill that smoothly enters the cork without destroying its structure. A key feature of the Xiaomi model is a dual grip system that allows you to extract the cork in one smooth movement without jerking, which is critical to maintaining the integrity of wine products and preventing crumbs from entering the glass.
Construction and preparation for the first launch
Before you start tasting, you need to get the device ready for work. The device is designed in a minimalist style, typical of the products of the Mijia ecosystem, and there are no unnecessary buttons. On the top there is a main mechanism, and on the bottom there is a compartment for installing a corkscrew and charging. It is important to understand that there may already be a partial charge inside, but for stable operation it is better to fully charge the gadget.
The preparation process takes no more than a few minutes and requires no special technical skills; you will only need a standard micro-USB or Type-C cable (depending on the revision of the model), which comes with a status indicator located on the case, will tell you when the device is ready for active use.
โ๏ธ Checking before first use
Notice the bottom of the body, which is a removable transparent or metal lock skirt. The cork extraction mechanism works because of this element, which tightly wraps around the neck of the bottle. Make sure the skirt moves freely up and down without getting stuck in the extreme positions. If you notice resistance, there may have been a failure during transportation, and the mechanism needs to be developed in several cycles of operation without a cork.
โ ๏ธ Warning: Before first use, be sure to remove the silicone transport cap from the spiral drill. Attempting to turn on the device with the cap on can lead to overheating of the motor or damage to the inner gear.
Step-by-step: how to open the bottle
The process of opening a bottle of wine with Xiaomiโs electric assistant is automated and requires minimal user involvement. First, remove the foil from the bottle neck using a built-in knife if you have one, or any other sharp object. A clean cut of foil is important to ensure that the corkscrew is flat and unskewed.
Then you have to put the device on the bottle. Take a corkscrew with both hands: one hold the body, and the other press the activation button. At the same time, lower the device on the neck so that the lock skirt sits tightly on the shoulders of the bottle, the motor will start automatically, and you will hear a characteristic smooth hum.
- ๐ท Make sure the drill has entered strictly in the center of the cork to avoid it being cut.
- ๐ท Do not press hard on the body, the device will do all the work itself due to weight and torque.
- ๐ท Keep the bottle steady on a level surface during the process.
When the drill is fully plugged in, the mechanism will automatically reverse the spin, and you'll feel the device start to go up, dragging the plug along, and the whole process takes 6 to 10 seconds, and after the corkscrew is removed, release the button, and the mechanism will return to its original position, dropping the cork into the inner cavity or leaving it on the drill for extraction.
๐ก
If the plug is very long or made of dense synthetic material, pause for 2-3 seconds after the drill enters before starting the back turn so that the spiral better catches on the material.
Charging and status indicators
Autonomy is one of the main parameters to consider when choosing an electric corkscrew. Xiaomiโs model features a built-in lithium-ion battery that can hold about 30-40 bottles on a single charge, more than enough for a home party or a few dinners at a restaurant.
The standard port is located at the bottom of the device to recharge. The kit usually comes with a cable, but the power supply may be missing, so you can use any adapter from a smartphone with a current of 1A or 2A. The charging process is accompanied by a flashing indicator, which changes color or mode of operation as the battery is filled.
| Status of the indicator | Meaning | User action |
|---|---|---|
| Blinks red. | Charging is in progress. | Leave it connected. |
| Burning green. | Charging complete (100%) | You can turn it off. |
| Blinks blue. | Low battery charge | I need you to charge. |
| It's not burning. | Device turned off or discharged to zero | Connect to the network |
It is important not to leave the device on charge for weeks, although the BMS protection system should prevent overcharging. The optimal scenario is to put a corkscrew on the base after use or before a planned event. If you plan to not use the gadget for a long time, leave it charged by about 60-70%.
Video review of mechanics and hidden functions
Visualizing the process helps us understand better how the extraction mechanism works. In video, you can often see that the internal spiral rotates at different speeds at different stages. First, it passes quickly through the cork body, then, when faced with resistance, the torque increases and the speed drops. This is a clever adjustment that prevents the mechanism from breaking.