Ever use a Port tongs?

Post by **Andy Velebil** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 12:05 pm

David,

Thank you for the quick reply..I just ordered a pair.

vinologia · Post by **vinologia** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 10:30 am

Thank you for your orders. They have all been sent except Andy's. This last one will be sent shortly. I hope they get there safely.

As a curiosity, check out the site http://www.wineaccessory.com/newitem.htm to see the price of these tongs in the US.

I am at your disposal should you need any more of these tongs.

Cheers

Jean Philippe

Post by **Roy Hersh** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 12:31 pm

Please do not compare those crappy tongs that won't work on most Port bottle necks to the excellent pair that you have sold the folks here Jean Phillipe. BTW, the price of $95 is robbery and should be a first degree felony here in the USA. I have never seen such an outrageous offer before. Please tell your son Gustavo and also Cristophe that I send my regards and will see you three in May!

Muito obrigado e melhores cumprimentos.

Roy

PS... please do go back to the user profile and add your first and last name as well as the city/country of residence. Thanks!

Gustavo Devesas · Post by **Gustavo Devesas** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 6:35 pm

Hello,everyone!

Finally!!!
My first post here at this place of Port Culture suggested by my friend Roy !
How are you?I've been quite busy with my degree in University but today was my last exam and now I'm ready for sharing and receive many Port Wine discussions here!
Just for a quick introducing,my name's Gustavo and I'm part of Vinologia's team as Sales Manager in Oporto, Portugal! :arrow: OFF TOPIC
About the Port Tongs I must say that it is an usefull gadget specially for lovers of Vintage and old Colheita Ports,and as well for everybody that wants some fun openning a bottle of wine!
Will manage to take a look to all the active messages!
Thank you and see you later!

Post by **Andy Velebil** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 8:39 pm

Gustavo,

Welcome to site, I look forward to reading your posts.

Post by **Roy Hersh** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 12:09 am

Bom dia Gustavo,

It is great to have you here and joining us finally. I have some great pics of your shop, as well as you and Cristophe. My next newsletter will include some fine recommendations from your fabulous operation. I have told about 2 dozen people to stop in there and I am sure you'll be hearing people tell you who sent them.

It took me too long to source the tongs so I am very pleased that the business went to you and your father.

Have a look around and please do chime in anytime. I think you will a nice measure of balance to the site and can share insights into some of the small and unknown producers that don't make it to the UK or USA.

Um abraço,

Roy

David Baghdassarian · Post by **David Baghdassarian** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 8:42 pm

My tongs arrived today.

Thanks Jean Philippe.

Can't wait to try them out. I may cheat and use them on a not-so-old bottle my first time out. Don't want to screw up on something really valuable.

One question: since we don't have fireplaces here in S FL (well, most don't), can I use a torch to heat the tongs? I have a gas grill and electric stovetop, so no really hot fire is easily accessible besides a propane torch (the kind used for soldering seen here: http://www.bernzomatic.com/bernzomatic/ ... 0KC_lg.jpg )

Also, how hot should the tongs be? I know that's probably hard to answer in words, but should they be hot, really hot, or super-duper hot? :)

Post by **Andy Velebil** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 9:44 pm

HofstraJet wrote:My tongs arrived today. Thanks Jean Philippe.

Can't wait to try them out. I may cheat and use them on a not-so-old bottle my first time out. Don't want to screw something really valuable.

Got mine today also, I think in the next couple of days I am going to try them on an old empty bottle (with cork reinserted and water added) just to practice. David, I plan on using a propane BBQ and a propane torch (if needed) to get them glowing red hot.

Thanks Jean Philippe :!:

David G. · Post by **David G.** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 10:00 pm

Hi Jean Philippe,

It looks like the eBay sales have closed. When might you expect to repost more of them on eBay or are they available elsewhere?

Thanks,
David

Paul David · Post by **Paul David** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 10:05 pm

Roy, keep at it. I am sure we can get a few port heads from Colorado to go in on a group purchase if it ever materializes Cheers

Post by **Roy Hersh** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 1:00 am

I can't wait to read Andy's report on losing his virginity with tongs.

Please do share your experience Andy. Make sure you have someone take a digital photo series of this "event."

Marco D. · Post by **Marco D.** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 7:30 am

Regarding how hot to get the tongs... I have successfully used a gas stove top, an electric stove top (resting the tong on top of the coils) and a propane camping stove. As long as the tongs glow red and I quickly apply an ice-cold cloth to the neck, it never failed...

Post by **Andy Velebil** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 7:41 am

Roy Hersh wrote:I can't wait to read Andy's report on losing his virginity with tongs.

Please do share your experience Andy. Make sure you have someone take a digital photo series of this "event."

Ohh, you bet I'll take pics when I lose the big "V" with tongs....OK, that sounds sick :twisted: :twisted:

Jennifer Hart · Post by **Jennifer Hart** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 11:30 am

I really like the Wood version of the Decanter. I have been looking at decanters and like the old look to this one. Thanks for your postings!

David G. · Post by **David G.** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 7:32 pm

I just ordered a set of tongs from there. I look forward to it, Jean Philippe. That decanting cradle looks very nice too.

Post by **Andy Velebil** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 7:13 pm

Well everyone, I did it!! I tried port tongs for the first time tonight. I used an empty Rozes 1994 LBV bottle that I refilled with water and put the cork back into it. I didn't want to try the first time on an old expensive bottle of port. I put the tongs on the stove to heat up, and I also used a hand-held propane torch to help get the tongs red hot faster. Put the tongs on the bottle for about 30 seconds, took a dish towel that had been soaking in ice water and grabbed the neck. The top of the bottle broke off clean...actually it popped off like when you open a bottle of bubbly and forget to hold onto the cork. No problems at all. It was much easier than I thought. Here is a link to the photos taken. Bad thing is my camera operator got a bit distracted when the top of the bottle popped off and moved the camera right before it broke so I didn't get a pic of the actual second that it happened.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/cofidis2/my_photos

Now, I need to find an occassion soon to try these bad boys on a real old bottle of port.

Frederick Blais · Post by **Frederick Blais** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 8:17 pm

How much time did it took for the tongs to become red hot? I tried it on my hoven coil and after 5 minutes it was not hot enough. Also the bottle was empty with no cork. Does that make a difference?

Jennifer Hart · Post by **Jennifer Hart** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 8:39 pm

Thanks for sharing Andy! The pictures were great! Sounds like you will be the limelight of the show if you have a dinner party for your birthday, you will wow everyone with your newfound skill!

Post by **Andy Velebil** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 9:07 pm

Fred_Quebec wrote:How much time did it took for the tongs to become red hot? I tried it on my hoven coil and after 5 minutes it was not hot enough. Also the bottle was empty with no cork. Does that make a difference?

Fred,

it took about 10 minutes on the stove top. What helped a lot was the hand held propane torch. The torch got them to where I could actually see the tongs red hot. Not sure on the bottle being empty being a problem. I think you just need to get the tongs red hot. Try using a propane torch next time, that should get them hot enough. Be sure to take some pictures to share with the rest of us.

Jenn,

Thanks it was a blast to try. I was like a kid in a candy store tonight, I could not wait to try them for the first time. Now, I can't wait to try them again

Post by **Roy Hersh** » Fri Feb 10, 2006 12:14 am

That's the problem with inexperienced photographers easily distracted and missing "the money shot."

Andy, is there any truth to the rumor that the photos stopped due to the photographer noticing that deep gash in your hand and having to take you to the emergency room?

I hope you are feeling and healing better now!

Thanks for those photos.

For The Love Of Port

Ever use a Port tongs?

Tongs

Still available?

just ordered