We’re looking at getting a cider press and grinder. We have a big apple tree that puts out a lot of apples and we have so much apple butter I can’t give it away to neighbors, family, and friends to keep up. Press/grinder are not cheap, made of different materials, and different designs. I’ve seen folks post about pressing and didn’t mention manufacturers. What should I look for and who do you recommend either for a press, a grinder, or a combo?
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The one we use for our cider pressing is the Homesteader from Happy Valley Ranch. It is actually my next door neighbor’s. He bought it 40 years ago and it is still going strong with no issues. I enjoy using it. Of course I’d rather have bought it 40 years ago too since they are expensive now. https://happyvalleyranch.com -
Here are some photo of it
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Cool pics Donw ! I restored a Tiffen Agricultural cider press several years ago. Technically, I still own it, but it's about an hour and a half drive away from my house at a friend's house. We haven't made cider in several years because haven't had good apple seasons lately and the apples are too expensive to purchase at regular retail. I miss that process, and there is NOTHING like freshly pressed, unpasteurized apple cider! Thanks for sharing. -
mrteddyprincess My neighbor and I invite the entire neighborhood and ask each family to bring a half bushel if they can. He and I also buy 30 bushels together from a local orchard to share with everyone. The orchard sells us the ones not for retail sale, perfectly good but maybe not in appearance, at greatly reduced prices. Those apples still make great cider. We enjoy a lot of free labor from the neighbors and also free food as everyone brings a dish to share. A great fun annual event.
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Depends on how much money you want to spend. Plenty of build-it-yourself presses on YT.
Presses are basically the same, either you use frames and cloth and press with a jack, or you get a basket with a screw down press. There is also a basket type with a water bladder
The grinder is the conundrum. Many hand-powered ones, but it is a lot of work if you have a lot of apples. You can build your own or purchase one already made, and some made to mount over your press. If you want mechanised, there are plans on how to make one from a garbage disposal. Or there is the Speidel grinder, which will griind them as fast as you can feed them in.
After much research, I went with this press:
Maximizer® Fruit Press Apple Cider Press + Stainless Basket (pleasanthillgrain.com)
And this grinder:
Speidel Motorized Apple & Pear Crusher | Fruit Shredder | Heavy-Duty PE Plastic | Reversible, Stainless Steel Blades | 220V Single Phase | MoreBeerComment
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We’ve been trying to figure out our budget range for sure. Prices and options are pretty varied. Stainless has its advantages over wood for cleaning, maintenance, and durability. I’ve heard of the DIY disposal option and haven’t looked into it. Sounds practical, but I’m not sure I’d want a home made chipper-shredder. -
snowswamp I chose SS for the very reasons you mention. Google Herrick Kimball Planet Wizbang for instructions on how to build. I'd first watch YT videos to see if that is the route you want to go. I found another motorised crusher that is less pricey. https://pleasanthillgrain.com/electr...cB#description
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So what does the grinder give you that the press doesn't? My parents had a press (which I don't think we ever used) but I've never seen a grinder.Comment
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I have no idea about a press or grinder. I’m amazed you can’t give apple butter away. It was a staple on our breakfast table every morning while the kids were growing up. I was going to surprise them last Christmas with a big batch of homemade biscuits and Bama apple butter, what they grew up eating, but it turns out Welches bought Bama and quit making apple butter. We’ve tried a couple of other brands but they aren’t as good.Comment
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We held our annual apple cider pressing. Everyone had a great time, especially the kidsComment
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As a follow up, we ordered and are awaiting the arrival of our Pleasant Hill Grain Maximizer Fruit Press and grinder. We chose stainless steel for the ease of care and cleanup. I’m already getting apples dropping on our driveway and cars. I went out today, put up the biggest nets I had, and shook the limbs to collect what I could for now. The tree would fruit maybe every other year until we got bees. It’s fruited every year since we got hives. There will be more apples….
I’m looking for leads on where to get a bigger net with several grommets. Something 40 ft x 60 ft or larger if possible. It’s a big, old, tall, broad tree.
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Looks like a lot of fun.
I have friends who drag out their smoker on a trailer to cook for another friend who has apple trees. Apple cider. They have a connection at local collage to bring in some young people to do the labor.
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It took about two months for the press to arrive. I set it up and we pressed all the apples we’ve been picking. They’ve been “sweating” (cider term for aging?) in the garage for up to 6 weeks depending on when they were picked.
After sorting out the rotten ones (about half), we cleaned the apples in a water and vinegar mix, ran them through the grinder and got to pressing.
We got about 4 gallons. I pasteurized it in batches to 160 degrees F for 2 minutes and put it in 5 plastic jugs; some to freeze, one for a friend who helped, and one to enjoy now. It was a lot of work and tastes great! Now that we have things up and running, next year we’ll have a neighborhood pressing party as you all mention you do as well. Thanks everyone!
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