Juicer vs Press

[Dave_E]

Hi All,

Age old discussion I’m sure. I’ve watched videos that crush, then press, or juice and even some that cut apples up and made must (like traditional wine making).
However, I have yet to hear of any differences other than folks preferences. I have a press (for my wine making), but don’t yet have a crusher. I just purchased a pretty good juicer. Discussion about the differences, why you prefere your method?

Dave

 

[Maylar]

A juicer is very inefficient. OK for a few ounces but not for gallons. Apples don't get crushed, they get ground into pulp and pressed. The grinder is called a scratter. It's another machine.

 

[hungupdown]

The juicer I have is fairly efficient, and the pulp ejected is very dry. There's always bits of apples that never get pulled in, this seems to vary with how juicy the apples are.
The apples have to be halved or quartered to fit, and it takes over an hour per gallon.
The machine is only designed to run for short periods, and would shutdown due to overheating, after 45min or so. That issue's now been fixed, by the adfition of a slimline 12V fan below.

Last year, I was helping someone use his his new hobby press, maybe 9 inch diameter x 18 inch deep.
Pressinng each load, produces a lot of apple juice at first. But soon gets very stiff to turn, despite lots of thread lubrication. Residual pulp was very wet, compared to juicer. On 4th or 5th load, the top press plate started cracking.
I did wonder, if a scratter first, would make things better.

So a hobby press (alone) might be OK, if you're happy maybe getting just 25% of the juice.

Last year I only used my juicer to a couple of gallons of apple wine.
But for cider in bulk, I'd just take my apples to a one of the local community presses.