Martini shaker issue: please advise

[UGAalum94]

I keep getting parts of the martini shaker permanently stuck on the shaker. Does anyone have advice about how to separate them?

Sometimes it's the strainer part that's stuck on the base; other times it's the smaller lid that becomes stuck on.

Anyone?

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

I keep getting parts of the martini shaker permanently stuck on the shaker. Does anyone have advice about how to separate them?

Sometimes it's the strainer part that's stuck on the base; other times it's the smaller lid that becomes stuck on.

Anyone?

Are they stuck after use? In a prolonged period between uses? Or when you're actually using it?

I'm assuming they're cleaned, haha . . . if between uses, the issue is probably that residue is building up after you clean it and put it away (put together), so either put it away apart or wipe it down after pulling from the dishwasher.

If it's during use, the issue is probably the temperature change - you can try chilling the shaker prior to use, which should help, or adding some lime juice/salt water/dish water to the connecting areas (we used to do this when I bartended - it was insanely gross after a while, but worked).

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by KSig RC

Are they stuck after use? In a prolonged period between uses? Or when you're actually using it?

I'm assuming they're cleaned, haha . . . if between uses, the issue is probably that residue is building up after you clean it and put it away (put together), so either put it away apart or wipe it down after pulling from the dishwasher.

If it's during use, the issue is probably the temperature change - you can try chilling the shaker prior to use, which should help, or adding some lime juice/salt water/dish water to the connecting areas (we used to do this when I bartended - it was insanely gross after a while, but worked).

This advice is great for future reference, and I'm seriously grateful for it.

My problem right now is that they are stuck together after use, cleaning, and storage and I can't get them apart.

(I asked for a boston shaker for Christmas to avoid the whole issue, and facilitate serious drink making, but alas, I got another traditional shaker.)

I've got a couple of fully working shakers that I'll use your advice about temperature changes with, so it's not a crisis yet. It's just frustrating to also have several shakers that are cool looking but useless.

[PiKA2001]

It's not really cool looking, but go with plastic. Metal martini shakers just get stuck after a certain amount of time. Also, when you clean/rinse the metal ones, make sure you let it completely dry before you put the cap back on. It's when you put everything together while it's still wet that makes it get stuck.

Check it out yo

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=210&f=32673