Difference between revisions of "Floor Corker"

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A '''Floor Corker''' is a device for corking bottles.  It can be used for corking both Belgian bottle corks, and wine bottle corks.  Other types of corkers exist, such as [https://www.google.com/search?q=handheld+corker&safe=off&biw=1571&bih=954&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=owcWVZ3HN-THsQTwt4LgBA&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAg handheld corkers], but when corking a lot of bottles, a '''Floor Corker''' is recommended.  See also [[Corking]] for more information on the corking process.  See [[Packaging]] for general packaging information.
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A '''Floor Corker''' is a device for corking bottles.  It can be used for corking both Belgian bottle corks, and wine bottle corks.  Other types of corkers exist, such as [https://www.google.com/search?q=handheld+corker&safe=off&biw=1571&bih=954&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=owcWVZ3HN-THsQTwt4LgBA&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAg handheld corkers], but when corking a lot of bottles, a '''Floor Corker''' is recommended.  See also [[Corking]] for more information on the corking process.  See [[Packaging]] for general packaging information. See [[Corking]] for instructions on corking and commercial corker options.
  
 
==Recommended Floor Corkers==
 
==Recommended Floor Corkers==
===Homebrewers===
 
 
Experienced Milk The Funk members recommend three '''Floor Corker''' brands <ref>[https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilkTheFunk/permalink/1044725398889007/ Conversation on Milk The Funk.  Input from Mark Fry, Jeff Porn, and Allen Stone.  3/27/2015.]</ref>.
 
Experienced Milk The Funk members recommend three '''Floor Corker''' brands <ref>[https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilkTheFunk/permalink/1044725398889007/ Conversation on Milk The Funk.  Input from Mark Fry, Jeff Porn, and Allen Stone.  3/27/2015.]</ref>.
  
* Portuguese/Ferrari Floor Corker (low end route) - Corking made easy. Single lever action with a plastic Iris that squeezes the cork and the adjustable depth plunger pops it right in to your desired depth. Works great even on the fat Belgian beer corks and is perfect for any standard wine corks or bottles. A small amount of assembly is required (it’s like one screw, no big deal) <ref>[http://www.rebelbrewer.com/shop/winemaking-equipment/floor-corker-portuguese Rebel Brewer.  Retrieved 3/27/2015.]</ref>.   
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* Portuguese Floor Corker (low end route) - Corking made easy. Single lever action with a plastic Iris that squeezes the cork and the adjustable depth plunger pops it right in to your desired depth. A small amount of assembly is required (it’s like one screw, no big deal). Distributed by Ferrari. This corker is meant for wine corks and not for Belgium/Champagne style bottles and corksSee this [https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilkTheFunk/permalink/1765959683432238/ MTF thread] on using this floor corker.
 
 
:[https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilkTheFunk/permalink/1765959683432238/ MTF tips on using this floor corker.]
 
  
 
[[File:Floorcorker Portugueze.jpg|frameless|Portuguese Floor Corker]]
 
[[File:Floorcorker Portugueze.jpg|frameless|Portuguese Floor Corker]]
* Italian (Ferrari) Floor Corker (high end route) - The Italian Floor Corker is the Cadillac of corkers. This corker is very similar to the Portuguese corker, but with some upgrades. It is equipped with a brass iris compression fitting instead of plastic. A long handle gives you plenty of leverage and the corks go in effortlessly <ref>[http://www.midwestsupplies.com/italian-floor-corker.html?utm_medium=feeds&utm_source=google&gclid=Cj0KEQjw_9OoBRChj9vMo5CHrdUBEiQAJ6YRPTU2NZV34edlT4EqGtcHFBAZxc0LNW-GFGBsq9yFYWwaAgf08P8HAQ Midwest Supplies.  Retrieved 3/27/2015.]</ref>.  These floor corkers are not meant for commercial use, and many professional brewers have reported issues with the lower angled bar wearing out after 500-1200 bottles (see ref) <ref>[https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilkTheFunk/permalink/1485507731477436/ Discussion on MTF regarding Italian Floor Corkers wearing out.  11/28/2016.]</ref>.  Using a food safe lubricant has been reported to extend the life of this corker for commercial users <ref>Private correspondence with Ehren Schmidt of Toolbox Brewing Co. by Dan Pixley.  1/5/2016.</ref>.
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* Italian (Ferrari) Floor Corker (high end route; used by small breweries as well) - The Italian Floor Corker is the Cadillac of corkers. This corker is very similar to the Portuguese corker, but with some upgrades. It is equipped with a brass iris compression fitting instead of plastic. A long handle gives you plenty of leverage and the corks go in effortlessly <ref>[http://www.midwestsupplies.com/italian-floor-corker.html?utm_medium=feeds&utm_source=google&gclid=Cj0KEQjw_9OoBRChj9vMo5CHrdUBEiQAJ6YRPTU2NZV34edlT4EqGtcHFBAZxc0LNW-GFGBsq9yFYWwaAgf08P8HAQ Midwest Supplies.  Retrieved 3/27/2015.]</ref>.  These floor corkers are not meant for commercial use, but many smaller commercial brewers use them and some have reported issues with the lower angled bar wearing out after 500-1200 bottles (see ref) <ref>[https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilkTheFunk/permalink/1485507731477436/ Discussion on MTF regarding Italian Floor Corkers wearing out.  11/28/2016.]</ref>.  Using a food safe lubricant has been reported to extend the life of this corker for commercial users <ref>Private correspondence with Ehren Schmidt of Toolbox Brewing Co. by Dan Pixley.  1/5/2016.</ref>.  Note that this is not the same as the [https://storefront.ldcarlson.com/storefrontCommerce/search.do?searchType=keyword&keyword=Corker&emailAddress=# Champagne Floor Corker], which is known to shred beer corks <ref>[https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilkTheFunk/permalink/1941573742537497/?comment_id=1941774805850724&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R%22%7D Bob Sylvester.  Milk The Funk thread about shredding corks.  01/04/2017.]</ref>.
  
 
[[File:Italian-floor-corker.jpg.png|frameless|Italian (Ferrari) Floor Corker]]
 
[[File:Italian-floor-corker.jpg.png|frameless|Italian (Ferrari) Floor Corker]]
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[[File:Corker jaws.png|frameless|Grifo Corker Jaws - TG]]
 
[[File:Corker jaws.png|frameless|Grifo Corker Jaws - TG]]
 
* Colonna Corker Capper (issues with this corker explained on [https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilkTheFunk/permalink/1689261147768759/?comment_id=1689461044415436&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R%22%7D this MTF thread]).
 
* Colonna Corker Capper (issues with this corker explained on [https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilkTheFunk/permalink/1689261147768759/?comment_id=1689461044415436&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R%22%7D this MTF thread]).
 
===Commercial===
 
* [http://www.gwkent.com/rapid-12-corker-2.html GW Kent rapid 12 Floor Corker (wine corks only, no champagne or Belgian corks).] (~$995.00)
 
* [http://www.thevintnervault.com/product/4117/Champagne-Corker-Rapid-49.html Champagne Corker Rapid 49 for small commercial producers].  The bottle seats would have to be changed out though ([https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilkTheFunk/permalink/1324183294276548/?comment_id=1324294004265477&reply_comment_id=1413971871964356&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R%22%7D see Jeff Porn's comments here on MTF].  Reportedly doesn't last any longer than the cheaper italian floor corker <ref>[https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilkTheFunk/permalink/1657711040923770/?comment_id=1658593247502216&reply_comment_id=1658820667479474&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R%22%7D Bob Sylvester.  Milk The Funk Facebook group.  04/20/2017.]</ref>. (~$4,000)
 
* [http://www.gwkent.com/champagne-corker-cager-machine-1.html GW Kent Automated Champagne Corker/Cager] (~$13,000) <ref>[https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilkTheFunk/permalink/1657711040923770/?comment_id=1658593247502216&reply_comment_id=1658781814150026&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R%22%7D Levi Funk.  Milk The Funk Facebook group.  04/20/2017.]</ref>.
 
  
 
==Usage and Tips==
 
==Usage and Tips==
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* Raf Soef of Bokkereyder suggests using 26.5 mm cage hoods; champagne cages are too large for beer corks <ref>[https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilkTheFunk/permalink/1628433647184843/?comment_id=1628539977174210&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R%22%7D Soef, Raf.  Milk The Funk Facebook group.  03/27/2017.]</ref>.
 
* Raf Soef of Bokkereyder suggests using 26.5 mm cage hoods; champagne cages are too large for beer corks <ref>[https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilkTheFunk/permalink/1628433647184843/?comment_id=1628539977174210&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R%22%7D Soef, Raf.  Milk The Funk Facebook group.  03/27/2017.]</ref>.
  
* Raf Soef of Bokkereyder advises that for corking magnums with the Italian floor corker, the pin and spring in the pedistal can be removed.  A smaller spring can be inserted or a thin block of wood to adjust the pedistal to the right height.  See [https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilkTheFunk/permalink/1364964486865095/?comment_id=1365127583515452&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R4%22%7D this MTF thread].
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* Raf Soef of Bokkereyder advises that for corking magnums with the Italian floor corker, the pin and spring in the pedestal can be removed.  A smaller spring can be inserted or a thin block of wood to adjust the pedestal to the right height.  See [https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilkTheFunk/permalink/1364964486865095/?comment_id=1365127583515452&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R4%22%7D this MTF thread].
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* [https://www.facebook.com/groups/MilkTheFunk/permalink/4280099982018183/ Troubleshooting corks getting stuck in floor corkers.]
  
 
==See Also==
 
==See Also==
  
 
===Additional Articles on MTF Wiki===
 
===Additional Articles on MTF Wiki===
 +
* [[Corking#Corkers|Automated Corkers]]
 
* [[Corking]]
 
* [[Corking]]
 
* [[Blending]]
 
* [[Blending]]

Latest revision as of 22:36, 1 February 2021

A Floor Corker is a device for corking bottles. It can be used for corking both Belgian bottle corks, and wine bottle corks. Other types of corkers exist, such as handheld corkers, but when corking a lot of bottles, a Floor Corker is recommended. See also Corking for more information on the corking process. See Packaging for general packaging information. See Corking for instructions on corking and commercial corker options.

Recommended Floor Corkers

Experienced Milk The Funk members recommend three Floor Corker brands [1].

  • Portuguese Floor Corker (low end route) - Corking made easy. Single lever action with a plastic Iris that squeezes the cork and the adjustable depth plunger pops it right in to your desired depth. A small amount of assembly is required (it’s like one screw, no big deal). Distributed by Ferrari. This corker is meant for wine corks and not for Belgium/Champagne style bottles and corks. See this MTF thread on using this floor corker.

Portuguese Floor Corker

  • Italian (Ferrari) Floor Corker (high end route; used by small breweries as well) - The Italian Floor Corker is the Cadillac of corkers. This corker is very similar to the Portuguese corker, but with some upgrades. It is equipped with a brass iris compression fitting instead of plastic. A long handle gives you plenty of leverage and the corks go in effortlessly [2]. These floor corkers are not meant for commercial use, but many smaller commercial brewers use them and some have reported issues with the lower angled bar wearing out after 500-1200 bottles (see ref) [3]. Using a food safe lubricant has been reported to extend the life of this corker for commercial users [4]. Note that this is not the same as the Champagne Floor Corker, which is known to shred beer corks [5].

Italian (Ferrari) Floor Corker

Grifo Corker Jaws - TG

  • Colonna Corker Capper (issues with this corker explained on this MTF thread).

Usage and Tips

  • For more of the cork to stick out, a spacer (such as a drilled stopper) can be impaled onto the plunger of the corker to create more space [7].
  • "I like to use a rubber stopper on the plunger to help gauge the depth I want to go. A no. 7 stopper fits perfectly and when you hit the lever to seat the cork, the stopper flexes to give enough resistance, not letting you drive the cork completely into the neck. Leaves about .5-.75" of the cork exposed almost automatically. Every time." - Tip from Jamie Daly on adjusting the depth of the cork [8]
  • "When I started corking, I read somewhere to leave 5/8 inch out. I had terrible time removing the corks. Then someone said, half in - half out. I tried it to find out with that much cork out it had to be compressed by pushing down on the cork with the cage in place while twisting the wire. Although a little more trouble while caging, the payoff in ease of opening is worth it to me" - Tip from Mark Trent on Milk The Funk [9].
  • "Yeah, I agree with Mark. It isn't much extra that needs to stick out to make the difference. And in order to make that work you have to vertically compress the top of the cork. I had been doing that with my hand (with nightmares of something happening similar to what Tarsicio went through) until my friend suggested using a bench capper for the cork compression part. That works quite well and the cork stays compressed enough to put the cage on without much vertical force on the top." - Follow up Tip from Dave Janssen on Milk The Funk [10].
  • Raf Soef of Bokkereyder suggests using 26.5 mm cage hoods; champagne cages are too large for beer corks [11].
  • Raf Soef of Bokkereyder advises that for corking magnums with the Italian floor corker, the pin and spring in the pedestal can be removed. A smaller spring can be inserted or a thin block of wood to adjust the pedestal to the right height. See this MTF thread.

See Also

Additional Articles on MTF Wiki

External Resources

References