The right answer here depends heavily on whether the accessory has any mechanical or electrical complexity to it.
Simple, non-mechanical tools are lower risk second-hand
A jigger, a manual decanter, or a basic glass — items with no moving parts, batteries, or seals — carry little functional risk when bought second-hand, provided they’re thoroughly cleaned before use.
Mechanical or electrical items carry more unknown risk
Something like an electric corkscrew or a vacuum pump has moving parts, seals, or a battery whose condition and remaining life aren’t visible from the outside — buying these second-hand means inheriting unknown wear without a reliable way to assess it beforehand.
Consumables and single-use items should always be new
Items like CO2 capsules or anything with a hygiene component involving direct contact (a used stopper, for instance) are worth buying new specifically for freshness and hygiene reasons that go beyond simple functional risk.
What to do in practice
Buy simple, non-mechanical tools second-hand with reasonable confidence after cleaning; prefer new for anything electrical, mechanical, or genuinely single-use.
What we would not do
Recommend buying an electric or mechanical accessory second-hand without a way to verify its actual working condition — the savings often aren’t worth the uncertainty for these specific categories.
Last reviewed 25 August 2026