And no, the answer isn’t “make sure you get a bottle with a screwcap.” Level up with these MacGyver-esque hacks.

We all hope it will never happen to us, but most of us have, at some point, been in the infuriating scenario of needing to open a cork-sealed wine bottle without a corkscrew. I know, first-world problems, right? Fortunately, there are many ways to open a wine bottle without a corkscrew that will have you feeling both nifty and resourceful.

From the slightly dangerous method of twisting the cork out with a serrated knife to the frankly ingenious method of using a bicycle pump to help release it, here are eight unique ways of opening a wine bottle when the corkscrew has gone AWOL.

1. The heat approach

It should go without saying that this technique requires you to take proper caution, but we’re going to say it anyway: please be careful around flames. Using a lighter (or blowtorch, if you know how to safely handle one) and apply heat to the neck of the wine bottle, right below the cork. The heat should force the cork to move upward and ease out of the bottle. Don’t try this with a chilled bottle, though, or the rapid temperature change could force it to explode!

Another option using heat is to decide to make mulled wine. Boil some water in a large saucepan, take it off the heat, and plop your wine bottle in. Ta-da – the cork will slowly creep out on its own. Once the bottle is open, throw out the water and pour in your wine, adding some mulling spices like cinnamon sticks, star anise, cardamom pods, and black peppercorns. Simmer a little and serve.

2. The screwdriver trick

A much safer option, this is the age-old trick most people are familiar with. Grab a screw – the longer the better – and a screwdriver, as well as a hammer. Spiral that screw into the cork with the screwdriver until there is only about an inch of it showing. Using the claw of the hammer, lift the screw out in one swift, brave, MacGyver-esque motion.

Chardonnay bottle with a screw in the cork

3. The coat-hanger method

You’ll need to use an el cheapo wire coat-hanger here, or desecrate one of your grandmother’s beloved quilted ones. Bend the very tip of the hanger back about 30 degrees so it looks like a small fish hook. Slide the wire down into the sealed wine bottle alongside the cork. Turn it slightly so the small hook is underneath the cork. Pull the wire up and the cork should come up, too. And if it doesn’t, hey, you’re one step closer to breaking into your car the next time you lock your keys inside.

4. The big spoon

Grab a big wooden spoon with a long thin handle. Use the handle to push the cork firmly down into the bottle of wine. Yes, your wine will be in contact with the cork, but hopefully it will be whole. Just use a strainer if there are any floating pieces of cork and enjoy your hard-earned happy hour. Do you want to do this with an old, expensive bottle? Probably not. But for a weeknight wine, it’s probably worth it.

5. The bicycle pump

Cyclists, rejoice! If you have a bike pump with an inflation needle, you have a novel way of opening a wine bottle. Plunge the needle all the way down through the cork and pump air into the bottle. As you pump, the cork should slowly move out of the bottle. Slow and steady wins the race here – you want just enough pressure to release the cork.

6. The Etsy special

Warning: this method is super fiddly and best suited to craft lovers. Get a long screwdriver and carefully drive a hole through the cork. Next, take a piece of string and tie a large loose knot in one end of it. Push the string through the hole in the cork (knot-side down) using your trusty screwdriver. Once it reaches the other side, the knot will tighten and you *should* be able to pull it out.

7. The sharp object technique

Just want your wine bottle open already? Fair enough! Get a pair of scissors, your car keys or a serrated knife and jimmy that bad boy out. Your chances of success are highest if you rotate your blade of choice while pulling up, as the cork will start to screw upward and gradually twist free of the neck. Ideally, plunge it in at a 45-degree angle and always twist the cork slowly to avoid disaster and/or stabbing yourself. Be careful out there, folks.

8. The shoe-slapper

You might have seen recommendations to whack the bottle against a wall. While it might work for some, the risk-level is just too high for us, so try this instead – all you need is a towel and a sturdy shoe. Wrap the towel around the base of the bottle. Sit down and hold the bottle upside-down (towel-side-up) between your legs, then slap it with the sole of the shoe. It takes time, but it works. Just remember to keep checking the cork! You absolutely do not want the cork to come all the way out – unless you’re trying to decorate your carpet (and yourself) with red wine stains.