How about a press?

[PatrickShiflet]

I've been making wine for a little over a year now and have realized its pretty tough to press fruits like apples by hand. Now it makes sense why grapes are processed by foot.... So I've been looking at the old Enterprise presses that were for fruit, lard, making sausage and so on. Is this the best machine to get for the money or is a basket press more efficient? They just look cool!

 

[AcmeRidgeRose_Nate]

Here is a pic of my wine press...its Hoosier...made in 1902. I found it at an estate sale...I got it for $200. It was brand new...with all the parts...I love it. Anyone else have one like this???

 

[PatrickShiflet]

I love it. We sure need something. Pressing by hand is no fun.

 

[AcmeRidgeRose_Nate]

Look on craigslist...there is usually some on there also.

 

[cwebb]

I have a #30 basket press and it is one of the best investments I have ever made.

 

[chicken]

Here is a pic of my wine press...its Hoosier...made in 1902. I found it at an estate sale...I got it for $200. It was brand new...with all the parts...I love it. Anyone else have one like this???

Hey! That's my press! Did you break into my shed last night or something?

Seriously, though, it looks almost exactly like the one we bought about 25 years ago from an old guy getting out of the hobby. Got it for $100, along with a bunch of bottles and some carboys, and a 15 gallon demijohn. It's held up pretty well over the years.

 

[AcmeRidgeRose_Nate]

Hey! That's my press! Did you break into my shed last night or something?

Seriously, though, it looks almost exactly like the one we bought about 25 years ago from an old guy getting out of the hobby. Got it for $100, along with a bunch of bottles and some carboys, and a 15 gallon demijohn. It's held up pretty well over the years.

I did not take your...bought it at an estate sale about 5 yrs ago...I love it. Its great. I was told it was built in 1902 by Hoosier. It still has the name plate on it and stensils from the hardware store it was sold in. They are really nice.

 

[TexasWine]

I've been making wine for a little over a year now and have realized its pretty tough to press fruits like apples by hand. Now it makes sense why grapes are processed by foot.... So I've been looking at the old Enterprise presses that were for fruit, lard, making sausage and so on. Is this the best machine to get for the money or is a basket press more efficient? They just look cool!

If you don't want to spend much, if any, money you could go the poor man's route. Put your apples or fruit in a bucket or some other container. Use a sharpened paint stirrer mounted on the end of a drill to crush, slice and dice the fruit.

Then use the old double bucket method of pressing. Drill holes in the bottom of one bucket. Pour your crushed fruit in it. Fill another bucket with water and use the weight of it to press the fruit by slipping it into the bucket full of crushed fruit.

Never done it myself, but sounds pretty easy.