Customer Reviews

Metrokane V1 World's First Vacuum Decanter

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

The problem with the Metrokane is not that it doesn't work. It does work very well. The issue lies in the uninformative user instructions that come with it. I consider myself to be an intuitive person when it comes to problem solving. I have to say that this product took me a few minutes to figure out but when I did, I found that it works very well indeed.
Here how it works:
1) Place the stopper in the decanter
2) Pull the button on top of the stopper all the way up.
3) Use the vacuum pump (about 15-20 pumps) until the guage indicates that it is in the "red zone".
4) This is the very important part. THEN PUSH THE BUTTON BACK DOWN AGAIN! Not doing this allows the vacuum to escape.
5) When you are ready to drink your wine, simply pull the button and the vacuum will release at which point the stopper can easily be removed.

If you want a beautiful crystal decanter then buy a Reidel. If you're looking for a way to decant your wine and safely store it for several days while you enjoy it, then this product works very well.

If you can't figure it out, e-mail me and I'll explain it to you.

Cheers

So, after reading the reviews of others, I rolled the dice and purchased this. I'm a dopey engineer and just couldn't believe this doesn't work, especially after seeing it advertised in my last Wine Spectator mag.

Yes, the manufacturer should re-author the instructions...

Okay, what is forgotten is this simple item:

After you place the stopper in the flask, (I'm going to paint mine and see if Barbara Eden pops out)and prior to putting the vacuum plunger on the top, you will see a small black pin (for lack of a better term)that you'll eventually pull up to release the vacuum.

Pull it up prior to drawing the vacuum. You will feel a little click.

If you don't, you'll get a great bicep workout.

If you do, you'll get a great vacuum in less than 20 pulls. (not so great a workout)

To release said vacuum, pull that pin again and you will hear the sound of atmospheric pressure returning to your vintage vino. Press the stopper up from one side, then the other and you're home free!

Simple~Enjoy!

The Metrokane V1 successfully creates a vacuum to preserve an unfinished bottle of wine. However, it is moderately difficult to open the decanter after releasing the pressure, and it must be watched from day to day to be sure that an adequate vacuum is maintained.

I bought this decanter mainly because it was lead-free crystal. I am uncomfortable storing wine in lead crystal because the lead can leach into the wine. The vacuum was a bonus, though after a few hours the vacuum is lost. It drips a little on the pour, resulting in a wine ring gathering on any surface it sits on. I'm guessing there are better lead-free crystal decanters out there.

My wife can't drink red wine. I hate to open a good bottle of red since I'm the only one drinking it. I have tried several products including an expensive wine saver that used nitrogen cartridges (also expensive.) This is a good example of KISS. It is easy to use. I had no problem at all in using the pump like another reviewer. The pump and stopper has a FIVE-year guarantee - I saved my Amazon receipt. You do have to muscle the plug out of a vacuum flask, but if you can deal with corks, I don't think it's a big problem. Use your thumbs and rock the large cap back and forth. The real test was the wine. It was very good. I have tried everything and usually drink the whole bottle because that's been about the only way to have it taste fresh. But my last bottle I kept three days and just re-pumped it after opening. I'm writing this because I read the negative reviews and I think this a very good product. I'm happy and don't feel compelled to guzzle the wine.

I bought this decanter as a present for my father and he has definitely been getting a lot of use out of it. It is easy to use and works well at keeping the wine preserved. I definitely recommend it. I just wish it were a little cheaper since the design is not so special.

This is a SUPER product...my only criticism would be a lack of instruction on how to use it...after you insert and push the 'cork' down, you must PULL UP on the little 'knob'...then you have to pump it 30-35 times to bring the needle into the red zone...the wine will keep at least 5 days (i haven't tried it longer)...then PUSH DOWN on the 'knob' to release the pressure when you want to use the wine...using a thumb on each side of the 'cork' push it up up remove it...NO RE-PUMPING IS NECESSARY...the price is reasonable...if you save a couple of bottles of wine, it pays for itself..i am going to get more for gifts...GREAT PRODUCT....LOVE IT

I found it very awkward trying to stabilize the pump with one hand, and pull the pump up and down to get the air out.
Also I can not get the top out of the decanter. It seems stuck there.
As a result, I can not say if it does what you claim.

I found that the decanter will hold a seal. You do have to seat the stopper well into the decanter to get a good seal and it takes some effort to "walk" it out. I can live with all of this. The problem is with the pump handle that you extract the air with. With light use the seal in the handle failed. I believe that the pump handle materials are inferior to stand up to the effort required to extract the air. Metrokane asks for $10.00 to cover shipping and handling for a replacement. With the current quality of construction you would probably need several pump handles or more to get value out of your investment.

My wife purchased this for me and it works great. You put the wine in, place the top on and use the pump to remove the air. It takes 5 seconds and it lasts for days without losing the pressure. If air oxidizes wine and makes it bad then this will prevent that. I like mine. However now they came out with one that can simply be used with the bottle of wine that you have. No decanter necessary. If you feel you cannot operate this then you need to stop drinking wine.