| Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption |
| Treacodactyl |
Small scale ciderI couldn't resit making a batch of cider from my apples. I don't have a press or juice extractor so I grated them on the coarse side of one of those four sided graters and then squeezed the grated apples in a colander. Took a while but I now have a gallon of my own cider on the go, I've just added a little wine yeast and it's fermenting nicely. Should cost about 5p a pint.
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| Penny Outskirts |
How many apples did you use TD? | ||||
| Treacodactyl |
I didn't count them.  I used about 4 gallons worth of apples, I'll see how much that weighs when we process some more.
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| Treacodactyl |
The first gallon is bubbling away nicely and now that my wrist has recovered I could be tempted by a second gallon using a mix of my apples and some wild ones we have nearby. | ||||
| Bodger |
Borrow a garden shredder like I did mate. It made the job tons easier. | ||||
| Treacodactyl |
I have a shredder but it would take ages to clean up enough for me to want to put some apples through it. I might give a food processor a go, all I need is some more demijohns and some space to keep them all in. 
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| mark |
i do my apple wine with a food processor to grate them
its cuttin gthe core and pips out first that takes the time. I don't really want added pectin from grated pips. mark |
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| Treacodactyl |
At least with the hand grater the pips didn't get cut, I just had a pile of whole pips left. I'll have to cut the apples to fit into the processor so I'll cut the cores out. | ||||
| Lozzie |
Would a julienne cutter be any good for this task? A mandolin? | ||||
| mark |
as i done about 15 gals of apple wine with the processor - it does work and is doable in time - would just love a faster process as i get loads of apples from my trees.
PS this years elderflower wine is absolutely gorgeous and beautifuly drinkable early - was ready quickly. I only used a very small amout of elderflower and it seems to have improved it massively over previous batches Mark |
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| Treacodactyl |
Possibly but I'm trying not to buy anything more at the moment although I might be able to borrow one for next year.
As I'll only be making the odd gallon it should be fine for me then. What do you do with 90 bottles of apple wine? |
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| tractorfactorsteve |
small scale cider makingi've heard that a car jack can be modified to make a press. don't know exactly how, but imagine you'd need some sort of framework to create pressure. |
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| Treacodactyl |
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/andrew_lea/Millprss.htm
4th photo down, one day.... |
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| tractorfactorsteve |
ok that's 'some sort of framework'! | ||||
| gil |
Retired guy I know used to use his wife's mangle. | ||||
| james_so |
Re: small scale cider making
There are some nice instructions here. Also Blacksmith has made one which is similar, but I can't find the thread. 
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| Treacodactyl |
http://forum.downsizer.net/viewtopic.php?t=15721
http://www.downsizer.net/Projects/Processing_Food/Making_a_simple_cider%10wine_press/ |
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| tractorfactorsteve |
these look good, shame i've just spent loads on a mickey mouse press. never mind. i'll work my way up to one of the 'daddy' presses when this one breaks. | ||||
| tractorfactorsteve |
spose you could make the 'cheeses' by putting the fruit through a mangle with the clothes...saves time! | ||||
| Kinnopio |
The resulting cider will taste all the better for all that time and effort you put in, savour every drop!!! | ||||
| Treacodactyl |
Probably about 18-20lbs but the second batch would have taken more as I think apples must dry out when stored. I decided to add some carton apple juice to the 2nd gallon to save a bit of time and also to see how it goes. 1st gallon still bubbling away. |