Bottle Stoppers

Several things should be considered when purchasing decorative bottle stoppers for wine or spirits.

• Finish.   Any finish containing shellac (friction polishes) can be damaged by alcohol, even in minute amounts.   Cleaning with soap and water can also damage shellac based finishes.   Shellac based finishes also tend to yellow over time.
• Health.  Some turning materials such as antler or horn can contain residual harmful bacteria and should not be used around food.
• Stopper Material.   Cork can transfer tastes when reused. A metal based stopper will not do this and can be washed after use. Depending on the style of stopper, metal stoppers seal tightly using silicone rings and will not leak.

The stoppers I create are crafted one at a time and each is unique.   They are large and should not be confused with smaller bottle stoppers used for wedding reception favors. They are either finished using a buffing process with completely digestable compounds, or with lacquer based finishes which are environmentally friendly and completely non-toxic.

Wooden bottle stoppers can be washed by hand using a mild dishwashing detergent, but should not be machine washed. As with any piece of fine wood art, care consists of keeping out of direct sunlight to avoid UV ray discolorations and a periodic waxing using a non-toxic paste wax such as carnuba wax. This should keep wood from excessive drying over time and preserve the finish for years of use.

Images and content © Robert Altig Turnings 2007