Recommendations for pulping apples

[allanmb]

Last year I tried making cider for the first time and achieved success! I had 2 gallons of nice tasting cider. However obtaining 2 gallons of apple juice proved to be very difficult as I had only a food processor with grating attachment and small 4L press with a small handle.

So my aim this year is to speed up the juicing process. I have an 18L press in mind but I want to know what would be best for pulping the apples as this is the part that took longest last year. I see some people use a garden chipper/shredder. I was wondering if you can use any chipper/shredder or whether it needs to be a special type? Or is there another contraption that would be better/quicker?

Thanks
Allan

 

[allanmb]

This is a shredder I have found on eBay which is local and a good price...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170513926147

Would this do the job?

Thanks
Allan

 

[GeorgeT]

I use an electric juicer. It's cheaper and quicker than buying and using a press.

 

[allanmb]

I use an electric juicer. It's cheaper and quicker than buying and using a press.

Do you get as much juice out using a juicer though? And is it going to be suitable for making >5 gallons?

 

[gregbathurst]

I use a shredder,you just need to open it up and give a good clean with water. I think any shredder will do.Juicers only work for small quantities.

 

[GeorgeT]

I get about half the weight of the fruit in juice -- i.e. for 2x weight of apples I get x weight of juice (one litre from 2 kg of apples). The resultant pulp is fairly soggy, and I suspect a press would extract more juice. But if you have no shortage of apples it doesn't matter.
The amount you can do is really up to you, but it is a bit fiddly after a while and probably only suitable for amounts up to a gallon. I have a smallish juicer; you can get commercial machines which would do larger amounts; but of course they cost more. Mine cost $135 (Aust).

 

[gregbathurst]

If you own a few trees you get over a hundred kg of apples, too much for a juicer. A homemade press will typically get about 50% yield, but commercial presses are better.

 

[allanmb]

I use a shredder,you just need to open it up and give a good clean with water. I think any shredder will do.Juicers only work for small quantities.

Excellent - thats the info I need. I will buy a shredder and give it a good clean and hope I get a good yield from my trees

Cheers
Allan

 

[gratus fermentatio]

If you're into DIY, you might find this useful: http://www.sentex.net/~mwandel/press/apple_grinder.html
There are a few versions of this design, here's one in action:

Regards, GF.