Cider presses, what should I look for?

Weesparky · Jul 6, 2012

I started looking at presses to reduce the waste generated by a single pear tree in my yard. The windfall tends to attract raccoon and possum, and I can't keep up with the harvest with dehydrating and freezing. I thought pressing cider would solve this issue... until I started pricing them online.

Do I need to buy a wooden cask style "wine" press?
What materials will work if wood isn't neccessary?
What materials must be avoided?
Would a lard press (see picture) work as is, or would I need to fabricate wooden parts?

I do plan on using the cider for brewing, probably sterilizing on the stovetop.

meich75 · Aug 29, 2012

I just made one for pressing pears. Cost about $20. Made from scrap wood (free), some threaded rods with lock nuts (~$10), a modified car scissor jack ($5 from junk yard), stock pot ($5 from thrift shop) and a cast iron pan. I'll post a pic when I get home if you want. It worked pretty good, got 3 gallons of juice from 3 buckets of pears.

dr_al · Aug 29, 2012

yes please post a picture i'm on a mission to build a press and have looked at may kinds

meich75 · Aug 30, 2012

It's not pretty but I got 3 gallons of juice from 3 5 gallon buckets of pears that were as hard as baseballs.

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Forgot to get the cast iron frying pan I use as the press head in the picture. Just get one a little smaller than the pot and cut the handle off.

dr_al · Sep 3, 2012

nice and simple i like it

sashurlow · Sep 3, 2012

There are lots of good designs out there. I posted one a few years ago and recently upgraded it (when the camera returns home I will post pics). https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f32/my-cider-press-220909/ I like the use of the pasta strainer in this one (and included it in my upgrade) https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f32/cider-press-311251/
Do a search for cider press and you will get lots of DIY options. There is a post somewhere with an Australian who uses a tree as part of his press. It depends on how much you want to work on it.
How exactly does that lard press work? I don't see how it presses.
Meich75... I wish I would have thought of that. I'm using a trailer jack instead.
Scott

gregbathurst · Sep 3, 2012

A press for cider should only have wood, plastic and stainless steel in contact with the juice, same for the mill/scratter. The easiest and cheapest to build are the "rack and cloth" types, and they give more juice. If iron dissolves in the cider it will turn the cider black when exposed to air. If yo have mild steel components they should be painted. That lard press would be no good at all.

meich75 · Sep 5, 2012

Greg has a good point about what comes into contact with the cider. I filter mine several times after pressing, boil to sanitize, then filter a few more times.