DPTOOL Strong Magnetic Oil Drain Plug Remover Tool Wrench Anti Scald Magnetic Sump Plug Removal Pick Up Tool 13 inches

A simple way to keep your hands out of hot oil

Oil changes are simple until the last turn on a hot drain plug. That’s the moment I usually earn a fingerful of 200°F oil and a mess around the pan. The DPTOOL magnetic drain plug remover aims squarely at that awkward step, and after multiple oil changes on cars and bikes, I can say it does exactly what it sets out to do—make plug removal cleaner, safer, and more controlled.

Design and build

This is a straightforward tool: a 13-inch flexible shaft with a magnetized head sized to cup a typical hex drain plug. The flex section is stiff enough to hold a position but compliant enough to snake past crossmembers, skid plates, and splash shields. The tip has a shallow pocket that nests the bolt head and a strong magnet to keep it planted. The finish is basic painted steel; it looks and feels like a utilitarian shop tool rather than a showpiece.

The length is well-judged. Thirteen inches gives enough reach to stand clear of the oil stream and work around hot exhaust pieces without being so long that it whips or twists unpredictably. It stores easily in a drawer and, unlike some telescoping pickup tools, doesn’t rattle itself loose.

One note on construction: the magnet is mounted with a small screw. Out of the box mine was snug, but I checked it periodically and added a dab of medium threadlocker after the second service, just as I do with other magnetic pickups. It’s a simple bit of preventative care and worth doing.

How I use it

• Crack the drain plug loose with a wrench or socket. This tool is not for breaking torque; it’s for the controlled part that follows.
• Wipe the area around the plug so the magnet makes clean contact.
• Seat the magnetic head squarely on the plug. You’ll feel it center itself.
• Spin the tool to back out the plug. The flexible shaft transmits the motion well enough for that last few threads.
• Let the oil flow while your hand stays clear. When the plug is free, keep it captured on the magnet and set it aside on a clean rag.
• Reinstallation is the reverse: the magnet holds the plug while you thread it back in by hand before snugging with a torque wrench.

That’s it. No juggling gloved fingers under a hot stream, no fishing a plug out of the drain pan, and no guessing which way the last thread will let go.

Performance and control

The magnet strength matters here, and on steel plugs it’s strong enough to hold the fastener securely even when the oil surges at the first release. The cupped face helps keep the head centered so you’re not relying on magnetic force alone to keep alignment. I was able to rotate the tool with two fingers and feel the threads as they disengaged, which is exactly the tactile feedback you want to avoid cross-threading on reinstallation.

The flexible shaft adds real value. On one compact car with a tray in the way, I could bend the shaft around a brace and still get a straight shot to the plug. On a motorcycle, the length kept my knuckles away from a warm header. It’s not a drive cable—it will twist if you try to apply major torque—but that’s not its job. Used after you crack the plug loose, it’s precise and predictable.

Cleanliness and safety

Does it eliminate mess? Not entirely—you’ll still have the usual splash if you miss the pan or misjudge the initial surge. But it keeps my hands out of the oil stream and away from hot metal, which is the primary safety win. I finished changes without the usual oil stripe on my glove, and I didn’t have to fish for a plug in the pan. Over multiple services, that’s less skin contact with used oil and fewer burned knuckles.

One practical tip: the magnet picks up fine metal debris over time. Wipe the tip thoroughly before each use, and keep a small brush or rag handy. A dirty magnet reduces holding power and can transfer grit to the drain plug threads.

Durability

For a budget-friendly accessory, it has held up well. The painted finish shrugs off the usual smears and occasional brake cleaner wipe-downs. The flexible shaft hasn’t kinked, and the magnetic head hasn’t loosened since I threadlocked the screw. Magnets are inherently brittle, so don’t treat the tip like a punch or drop it onto concrete. I store the tool in a drawer with a plastic cap over the head to prevent chips and to keep it from magnetizing debris.

If you do manage to chip the magnet or it starts to wobble, it’s a simple assembly to inspect and tighten. Knowing this is a wear-and-tear piece, I wouldn’t expect it to be heirloom quality, but it doesn’t need to be. It just needs to do a specific job a few times a year without fuss, and so far, it does.

Limitations and caveats

• Plug material matters. This tool only works on ferrous (magnetic) drain plugs. Some vehicles use aluminum or plastic plugs; in those cases, the magnet won’t hold. Check your plug before you buy or keep a backup plan (gloves and steady fingers).
• Heat is still heat. The tool helps you keep distance, but you’re still working around hot oil and exhaust. Don’t route the shaft across a red-hot catalyst or header.
• It won’t replace a wrench. Use it after you’ve broken the plug loose and before final torquing. If you try to muscle the plug with the flex shaft, it’ll twist and feel vague.
• Keep an eye on the magnet screw. Make tightening it part of your quick pre-use check, and consider threadlocker to prevent it backing out.

Who benefits most

• DIYers who want cleaner, safer oil changes at home without investing in elaborate drain systems.
• Techs or enthusiasts doing multiple services a day; the few seconds saved and the reduction in mess add up quickly.
• Motorcyclists and small-engine owners with plugs tucked near hot components where finger safety is a concern.

If your vehicle uses a non-magnetic drain plug or a quick-release plastic plug, you can skip this; it won’t add value.

Alternatives and complements

You can absolutely do without this tool using gloves and a steady hand. Some people use a telescoping magnet or a flexible claw pickup, but neither centers on the bolt head as reliably, and claws don’t like oil. There are drain valve replacements that let you open flow with a lever, but they add cost and complexity and change the sealing system. For me, this magnetic remover hits a sweet spot: it keeps the stock plug and crush washer while giving me more control at the critical moment.

Verdict

The DPTOOL magnetic drain plug remover is one of those simple helpers that earns a place in the drawer after the first use. It doesn’t try to be more than it is, and that’s the strength: a strong magnet, a flexible shaft, and a bit of reach to keep your hands clean and clear. Build quality is honest and functional, and with basic care—tighten the magnet screw, don’t drop it, wipe the tip—it should last through many services.

Recommendation: I recommend this tool to anyone performing regular oil changes on vehicles with steel drain plugs. It meaningfully reduces the chance of burns and mess, speeds up the fiddly last-turn step, and costs less than a jug of oil. If your plug isn’t magnetic or you prefer a permanent drain valve, it’s not for you. For everyone else, it’s a small investment that makes a routine job smoother and safer.