My Homestead-Scale Cidermaking System

HCK · #1 11/08/08, 07:52 PM

Hello,

I just posted about my new cider press design in the food preservation category. But maybe I should have put it here where it would get a broader viewing. In any event, if you have apples and like cider, you will appreciate this:

I have been working for the past few cider seasons to develop a practical, inexpensive, homestead cider making system. This year, I have perfected the cider press (last year I perfected the apple grinder). You can see and read all about my system at this link:

http://thedeliberateagrarian.blogspo...ang-cider.html

Best wishes,

Herrick Kimball

seedspreader · #2 11/08/08, 08:32 PM

Thanks Herrick, as always, good to see you stop by.

mdharris68 · #3 11/08/08, 09:04 PM

Nice job on the press. Do you have a link to your grinder?

MELOC · #4 11/08/08, 09:22 PM

looks good! if i could offer a suggestion, it would be to try to make a crossmember that you could adjust down from the top so you don't have to block up the jack so much.

HCK · #5 11/09/08, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdharris68

Nice job on the press. Do you have a link to your grinder?

Yes. There is a link to an essay all about the apple grinder in the cider press essay. Look again and you'll see it. Thank you.

HCK · #6 11/09/08, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MELOC

looks good! if i could offer a suggestion, it would be to try to make a crossmember that you could adjust down from the top so you don't have to block up the jack so much.

Hmmm... I like having the top crossmembers solidly bolted in place. Not only are they solid, they help to hold the top of the unit together. But I like your suggestion a lot and will give it some serious thought. Thanks!

agmantoo · #7 11/09/08, 08:13 AM

A high lift tractor jack would make a nice ram and has tremendous stroke and leverage.
http://shop.ebay.com/items/_W0QQ_nkw...romZR40QQ_mdoZ

**Terri** · #8 11/09/08, 08:30 AM

Thank you for posting that. I made cider for the first time this year, and that method will not work for long as the young trees will bear more and more each year!

Valiantone · #9 11/10/08, 08:04 AM

what a perfect press for the homesteader. I totally wanna make one. And I don't even have access to any apples!

HCK · #10 11/14/08, 06:04 PM

Since starting this thread about my homemade cidermaking equipment, I have blogged again about it all. This time, I brought the apple grinder and press right into my kitchen to make cider. You can read about it and see more pictures at this link:

http://thedeliberateagrarian.blogspo...n-kitchen.html

Herrick Kimball

HCK · #11 11/18/08, 05:19 AM

In my quest to develop economical and efficient homemade cider-pressing equipment, last weekend I experimented with a cider-pressing variation that I have been thinking about. Is it possible to efficiently press cider in a cheap plastic bucket, as opposed to a more expensive, homemade, wood-stave pressing tub? The results of my experiment can be found at this link:

http://thedeliberateagrarian.blogspo...xperiment.html

Best wishes,

Herrick Kimball

Phantomfyre · #12 11/18/08, 07:52 AM

Well, that does it. I was all excited about making my own press, but was a little perplexed on how I'd make the slatted pressing tub. Well, the bucket takes care of that! Homemade cider press, here I come!

Love your blog, Mr. Kimball. DH is very excited about the prospect of making our own garlic powder, and I have a quart jar of garden flakes (from broccoli leaves!) done so far, with several other things (kale, chard, etc.) yet to go.