I found a cider press

MattyD · Sep 26, 2010

So I just found a cider press, a old neighbor is letting me borrow it as long as I need if I clean it up. The problem is it is extreamly dirty and has been sitting outside for years. its a little rusted and has old leaves and stuff kinda crusted to it. So my question is what is the best way to clean this thing up? Apples and Pears are being harvested right now in my area and I want this thing usable asap. What is the best way to do this if anyone has had to do the same thing?

schadelh · Sep 26, 2010

I would suggest a pumice stone and 10% (or higher if you can find it) vinegar. They make pumice stone grill brushes that might make your life easier.

DO NOT USE BLEACH, LYE, OR AMMONIA! This will encourage more rust!

if it is really bad you might want to use a grinding wheel.

once you are done rub a bit of oil on the screw (and anything that is cast iron) to prevent future rusting (and make it move easier)

p.s. Would you want to do a batch sometime this fall/winter? I have been wanting to press some perry from scratch.

MattyD · Sep 27, 2010

I want to do a perry from scratch and I want to do cider from scratch. I might have just hit the jack pot because I live in a bunch of orchards and friends of mine might have accsess to hundres and hundreds of pounds of fruit to press. I might have to borrow a barrel or two from a winery to frement the amount of fruit I might have just aquired.

roadymi · Sep 27, 2010

Just make sure you lube with food grade oil

cinderbike · Sep 27, 2010

Wow MattyD, sounds like you lucked out. Good luck and have fun.

kketterer · Sep 28, 2010

Pressure wash it and Oil it. ( As noted above, Food grade)
Make sure to buy cheese cloth, Or use an old Pillowcase. Press till no more juice flows out, then flip over and press again. Does it have a grinder on it?