Opening a bottle of wine is no longer a ritual with unpredictable outcomes when a smart gadget from Xiaomi appears in your kitchen. The electric tailspin from the Mijia or Deerma ecosystem (often released under the Xiaomi brand) is not just a beautiful metal pipe, but a mechanism that can cope with any, even the tightest traffic jam in seconds. Users often underestimate the simplicity of the device, trying to apply force where only the right sequence of actions is needed.
Unlike classic mechanical models, you don't have to have the power of an athlete or hone your sommelier skills for years. The automatic corkscrew takes the load, leaving you as an observer. But in order for the device to last for years and not fail at the most critical moment, you need to know a few key features of its operation that are rarely written on the box, and we'll look at each step from the first charge to the last crumb of the cork.
The first thing that catches your eye when unpacking is the minimalist design and the absence of unnecessary buttons. Usually the control is reduced to one or two keys, and all the magic happens inside the case, where there is a powerful motor and a tempered steel spiral. The key feature of Xiaomi models is the presence of a built-in foil knife at the bottom of the body, which eliminates the need to buy a separate sommelier knife. This makes the process of opening the bottle completely autonomous and fast.
First activation and preparation of the device
Before you test the gadget on an expensive bottle of collectible wine, make sure it is ready to work. Most devices come with a partial battery charge, but for stable operation of the engine it is better to bring the battery to 100%. The charging process is elemental: on the bottom of the case or on a removable base (depending on the specific modification of the Xiaomi Electric Corkscrew) there is a Micro-USB or Type-C port.
Use a kit cable or any quality equivalent with a current of no more than 1A to avoid overheating the batteries. The charging indicator located on the button or on the case usually flashes red during the process and lights up green or blue at full charge. It is important not to leave the device on charge for longer than necessary time after the cycle is completed.
Also, before first use, it is recommended to wipe the screw (spiral) with a soft dry cloth. In the factory, a technical lubricant can be applied to the metal to protect against corrosion during storage. Although it is safe, getting excess into the wine can be unpleasant. After wiping, do a couple of idle cycles (in the air) to make sure that the mechanisms run smoothly.
Construction and basic controls
Xiaomi's ergonomics are designed to keep the device confidently in your hand. ABS-There are two main control buttons on the front panel, the top button is responsible for lifting the corkscrew (removing the cork), and the bottom button is responsible for lowering (driving into the cork).
Some models have an LED light that signals battery status or locks. If the light flashes red quickly, it could mean that the plug is too tight or the charge has gone down. At the bottom of the device, there's a foil cutting blade hidden in a special slot, and it's pushed out by turning or pressing, depending on the version of the corkscrew.
- 🍷 Down button: triggers the motor to screw the spiral into the traffic jam, hold it until the corkscrew stops automatically.
- 🍾 Up button: activates the reverse rotation to extract the plug, and the mechanism itself will determine the moment of full exit of the plug.
- 🔋 Charge indicator: shows the energy level. Green is full charge, red - requires a connection to the network.
It's worth noting that the inner spiral is made of high-strength steel with Teflon or similar coatings, which reduces friction and prevents cork breakage. However, despite its strength, the mechanism requires careful handling. Don't try to screw the corkscrew into materials other than wine corks, such as wood or plastic, which can cause the gearbox to break.
The secret of the durability of the mechanism
Inside the Xiaomi corkscrew, there's a planetary gearbox. It transmits high torque to the screw, keeping the body compact. The main cause of failure is to try to remove the corkscrew if the corkscrew is skewed relative to the neck. Always hold the device strictly vertical.> Step-by-step instruction: The process of opening the bottle with the electric corkscrew Xiaomi takes less than a minute if you act according to the algorithm. First, you need to remove the protective foil from the bottle neck. To do this, turn the lower part of the case (or activate the knife's push mechanism if it is separate action), then you get the blade back in, and then you get the upper one back to the blade. Make sure the spiral is completely removed from the inside of the body before the procedure. Algorithm: 1. Remove the foil with a knife at the base of the corkscrew. 2. Press the corkscrew to the corkscrew strictly vertically. 3. Press and hold the bottom button (Down) until the motor stops. 4. Without letting go, press the top button (Up) until the top button is fully removed. The next step is to install the corkscrew on the neck. It is important to press the device from above with moderate effort so that it does not slip at the beginning of the rotation of the motor. One integrated into the motor function, and the upper motor will not be completely removed from the motor. However, many users are afraid to use it or do it wrong, risking injury or blunting the blade.The knife is designed solely to cut lead or aluminum foil from the bottle neck. To activate the knife, you usually have to turn the lower part of the body counterclockwise or press the lock, depending on the model. The blade leaves its shelter. When you work, hold the bottle with one hand and the corkscrew with the other. Press the blade to the edge of the neck and slowly rotate the device around the axis. Don't push too hard - sharp steel will do its job. ⚠️ Warning: Never use a knife to cut other materials (cardboard, paper, plastic) This will instantly dull the edge, and the next time you use the knife will crumple the foil instead of cutting it, which can lead to pieces of metal getting into the wine. Residues of wine or moisture can cause corrosion despite the protective coating. If the knife has become worse cut, it can be gently stained with a special ceramic sharpener for knives, but this should be done with great care, observing the factory angle of sharpening. Table of specifications and compatibility Xiaomi electric corkscrews are universal, but have their limitations. They are designed for standard wine stoppers. Below is a table to help understand what types of closures the device will cope with and where to use other methods. Type of cork/closure Compatibility Recommendation Natural cork (oak) Complete Perfect for long corks (50 mm+) Technical cork (agglomerate) Complete To act carefully so as not to break Synthetic cork Full It may take longer to extract screw cover Not compatible Use only manually Glass stopper Not compatible Only manually extracted The device is designed for a certain number of opening cycles On average, one battery charge is enough for 30-50 bottles, which is an excellent indicator for household use The screw cover is not compatible Use Only Handheld Glass stopper is not compatible with several years of use. Most people are faced with a situation where the cork is not removed to the end or crumbles. If the corkscrew is buzzing, but the cork is still in place, perhaps the spiral has entered not deep enough or, conversely, went through. If the cork breaks, don't try to pull the residues out by force. Carefully remove the corkscrew, clear the screw of the cork pieces, and try again by shifting the entry point. If the problem is in the dead battery, the indicator will signal this. Connect the device to charge on the battery. 15-20 minutes to resume work. 🔇 The corkscrew is humming, but it's not spinning: probably the overload protection has gone off. 5-10 minute. 🪫 The indicator flashes red: urgent charging is needed. working on a low charge harms the battery. 🍂 The cork is entering the curve: you don't hold the corkscrew strictly vertical. ⚠️ Warning: If the cork does fall inside the bottle, do not try to push it further with a corkscrew. Use a special tool to remove the fallen corks or gently push it inside with a clean object, then filter the wine when poured. To keep your Xiaomi long-lasting, it is important to store it properly. After each use, be sure to wipe the spiral and body with a soft cloth. Residues of wine, even in microscopic amounts, can become sticky over time and make it difficult for the mechanism to work or change the taste of the next wine. Store the device is best in a vertical position on a special stand (if it comes with a kit) or in a dry place protected from direct sunlight. It is not recommended to keep the corkscrew completely discharged for a long time (more than 3-4 months), as this can lead to a deep discharge of the lithium-ion battery and loss of its capacity. Every few months it is useful to carry out prevention: drop one drop of edible oil on the spiral and make several idle cycles to lubricate the mechanism from the inside. This is especially true if you notice that the motor has become louder or slower. Regular care ensures that every opening of the bottle will be silent and elegant. Can you wash the electric corkscrew Xiaomi under water and do not do the battery, then we can not keep the damp inside the battery. If the device is running for less than 5 minutes after full charging, the battery may have failed. In this case, you should contact the service center. Self-replacement of the battery is possible, but requires skills and can violate the tightness of the case. Will this corkscrew fit for bottles of a non-standard neck? Xiaomi corkscrew is designed for a standard neck "Bordeaux" or "Burgundy". For bottles with a very wide or narrow neck (for example, some liquor bottles or decanters), the device may not fit due to the diameter of the skirt of the corkpin? How does the corkworm fit?