Any one built thier own cider press?

[Cazamodo]

Last October I made a crude cider press from a bulk frame and a trolley jack, worked reasonably well, but ended up breaking.

This year I've set myself a harder task of making a cider press to last. Ive found some planes on a 'twist style' cider press, I have no idea what the name really is, although they were written up in '76.

Just wondering if anyone has had any luck with building a press at all?

 

[Bridochristie]

I have I made mine from a calor gas bottle, a larg nut and a length off screwed rod

 

[Cazamodo]

An more details? Sounds similar to the one I have a guide for.

Ill have a quick look and post the link.

LINK!

 

[JohnnyB]

If I were to build a press, I might do something like this guy does.

 

[Cazamodo]

Yea, that's a hightech version of the one I made last year.
I think I'd prefer the basket press type though.

 

[gregbathurst]

You won't get as much juice from a basket type press, though that might not be an issue. Most people build a frame style "rack and cloth" Press.
I used a handy tree for the uprights for my press. I posted it here.

 

[sashurlow]

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f32/my-cider-press-220909/

 

[Cazamodo]

Both your presses looks great. Love the one in the tree!
I love the last one posted, ill definitely look into making one! However I'm first trying to construct a basket press. Even if i do get less juice, Id like to have it to use anyway

 

[gregbathurst]

If you have a couple of big apple trees you can get so many apples that the efficiency of the press isn't so important. speed and ease of use are just as important. But if you are buying in your apples you want to get as much juice as possible.
I think a press like sashurlow has done is the best way to go.

 

[SaccharoVices]

I was at an auction, an old style hardware/general store in the dying part of downtown and there was a new Jaffrey apple cider press, complete with crusher. I had my heart set on it and bid, but another guy wanted it more than I did evidently (well, I REALLY wanted it, but his pockets were deeper than mine at the time) - the bidding went to 500 and i of course stopped. A bit heartbroken, I decided to scroll through craigslist the following week. Unbelievably, an identical press (not new of course, a few decades old but perfectly sound) was posted for only 135- about a 40 minute drive away- hopped in the truck and scooped it up- funny thing is that I still haven't used it and that was a year ago. I do have some questions for the experienced pressers out there regarding the type of sealant used for the wood, mine is old and needs a treatment- there is a recommended type of food grade stuff out there- any thoughts?

 

[JohnnyB]

I do have some questions for the experienced pressers out there regarding the type of sealant used for the wood, mine is old and needs a treatment- there is a recommended type of food grade stuff out there- any thoughts?

try Google.

You'll find tons of great information on food safe sealants

 

[SaccharoVices]

Thx JohhyB- yeah there is some stuff out there, was wondering if anybody had used it and is it really necessary? even with 'food grade' I would like to keep any off flavor or contaminants out-

 

[gregbathurst]

I just use polyurethane, the same as for kitchen benches. I figure if its ok for a benchtop, its ok for a press.

 

[SaccharoVices]

gregbathurst- I respect your opinion/choice, but i would be wary of using any petrochemical based product for direct food contact ( a benchtop presumably would only have plates/cups set on it)- maybe a long (1 month at least) exposure to the sun after application would ensure that the carrier solvents had volitalized enough to be totally gone (you'd be surprised how long they linger, even after what is perceived to be dry to the touch) I wonder if anybody has tried an application of liquified (through heating) beeswax? seems like it could work really well and be somewhat durable with no worries about contamination. Just a guess, could have problems of its own. - Best Regards

 

[gregbathurst]

gregbathurst- I respect your opinion/choice, but i would be wary of using any petrochemical based product for direct food contact ( a benchtop presumably would only have plates/cups set on it)- maybe a long (1 month at least) exposure to the sun after application would ensure that the carrier solvents had volitalized enough to be totally gone (you'd be surprised how long they linger, even after what is perceived to be dry to the touch) I wonder if anybody has tried an application of liquified (through heating) beeswax? seems like it could work really well and be somewhat durable with no worries about contamination. Just a guess, could have problems of its own. - Best Regards

Yes, everyone has to make their own decisions about these things. Personally I like to see these things in context - there are a lot of environmental pollutants you can get worried about, paint solvent residues are just one of a long list. I prefer not to worry and just try to live a healthy life. I reckon my cider is healthier than any commercial cider I could buy.
But I do respect other peoples views and hope you find something that suits you.

 

[SaccharoVices]

You're right about context, i suppose you could over-worry about a thing like this. homebrewing conditions are probably far better than commercial/industrial food processing areas (even with regulations). we are really inundated by so many other things, as you mentioned- remember, Charlie Papazian's famous line is "relax, don't worry, have a homebrew" - words to live by

 

[sashurlow]

cazamodo... I wanted to do a basket press too, but to get the screw apparatus was way more complicated than using a car jack or hydraulic jack. The only thing I don't like about mine is its capacity. I could modify mine to increase capacity but my trees don't produce that many apples yet (heck, they wont produce ANY apples this year).
Thanks for the compliments BTW...

 

[sashurlow]

Basket press question...
How tall do they need to be? Could you make a 12 inch tall basket and still get good volume and ease of pressing, but still be able to use a car jack or hydraulic jack? Instead of filling multiple bags in layers, just fill one pillow case and press it. OR... does anybody know where to purchase/make similar the screw press that basket presses use?

 

[SaccharoVices]

I wonder if a tongue jack for a trailer could be used- it is self contained (screw threads are internal) the threads are fine(allows for easier turning ) , there is a crank handle on top, the post that goes down has a square steel foot, entire thing is heavy steel and they don't cost much- i got a marine grade one for my boat trailer and it only cost $30

 

[hroth521]

Regarding sealants:
I used butcher block sealant for all surfaces that touch the cider. It's food safe.

Here is my grinder and press:



After this test pressing I used it to press 30 gallons of juice last season. I'm making modifications now that I'll film when complete.

 

[wildman]

After thinking about sealants for a long time I've decided that I'm just not going to use any on my new press. The finish on my old press didn't last 2 seasons and they don't seal the inside of wine barrels so I figure what's the point? High acid + long contact time = not good. Just my opinion.

 

[gregbathurst]

I agree that wood doesn't necessarily need sealed. Any fine grained hardwood like oak or maple (or eucalyptus) should be fine. Sealing makes things a bit easier to clean, and cleaning is a big part of pressing. I used plywood, which has glues and stuff, so I thought it would be better to seal it. People who do natural ferment actually want yeast populations to build up on the press, in which case it's better to leave it unsealed.

 

[Cazamodo]

Thanks for all the input guys. Ive been doing alot of research on better yields between stacking 'cheeses' or using a basket press. The best ive found was a mix of both, cheeses stacked inside a basket!

Either way I still think I will pursue the basket method.
I am going to make a frame that can use a threaded rod. Luckily I have some that i hope will hold up the pressure.

I will try to make the frame however, so if the screw does not work out, I can replace the threaded rod with a trolley jack to push down on the squeeze board.


Im just trying to cheaply source materials atm, I have an extremely old, weathered oak beam, thats around 12"x10", and a good 3 meters long. Just trying to find someone with a band saw and plane who will help me cut it into more usable pieces!


As for the sealants. Again after dong alot of reading, some people seem to swear by them, others say if using a good wood, such as oak, its not too much of a problem?

 

[gregbathurst]

Thats a good idea about cheeses inside a basket, maybe you wouldn't need the cloth to wrap the pulp in. That would save a lot of bother.

I use my chainsaw for milling timber. You lose a bit of thickness and it does a pretty rough job but its good enough for a press frame - it doesn't have to look perfect.

You could make a pretty solid frame out of 10x12 - would take a lot of pressure.