3 Practical Uses for Bottle Stoppers in the Kitchen
Bottle stoppers may seem like a small and insignificant tool in the kitchen, but they can actually be quite useful. Here are three practical ways to use bottle stoppers in your cooking and food storage:
Keep Wine Fresh
One of the most common uses for bottle stoppers is to keep wine fresh. If you’ve opened a bottle of wine but don’t plan on finishing it in one sitting, a bottle stopper can help preserve the flavor and quality of the wine. Simply insert the stopper into the open bottle and seal it tightly. This will help prevent air from getting in and oxidizing the wine, which can cause it to taste sour or vinegary.
There are many types of wine bottle stoppers to choose from, including cork, silicone, and vacuum-sealed stoppers. Some even come with a built-in pump that removes excess air from the bottle to preserve the wine even longer.
Store Leftover Ingredients
If you’ve only used part of an ingredient and don’t want to waste the rest, a bottle stopper can help keep it fresh. For example, if you’ve opened a can of coconut milk but only need a few tablespoons for a recipe, you can use a bottle stopper to seal the can and store the rest in the fridge. This works well for ingredients like canned tomatoes, broths, and liquids.
Bottle stoppers can also be used to seal bags of dry ingredients like flour, sugar, and spices. Simply pour the ingredient into a plastic bag, insert the stopper, and store in a cool, dry place.
Keep Carbonated Drinks Fresh
It can be frustrating to open a can or bottle of soda, only to find it’s gone flat by the time you finish drinking it. Bottle stoppers can help keep carbonated drinks fresh for longer. Simply insert the stopper into the can or bottle and seal it tightly. This will help prevent air from getting in and causing the carbonation to dissipate.
There are specially designed bottle stoppers for carbonated drinks that have a built-in pressure release button. This allows you to release any excess carbonation before sealing the bottle to prevent it from exploding. These stoppers work well for soda bottles, sparkling water, and even beer.
The Bottom Line
Bottle stoppers may seem like a small and insignificant tool, but they can actually be quite useful in the kitchen. From keeping wine fresh to storing leftover ingredients and keeping carbonated drinks fizzy, bottle stoppers can help you reduce food waste and enjoy your favorite treats for longer.
