A pressing question (Apples = homebrew)
 

How do all,

Has anyone got any simpler way of extracting juice from a glut of apples my mate has dropped round so I can make cider from them other than another mammoth session with an electric juicer?

The last load (2 sacks) went through my Dads juicer but took (many) hours.
A cheap & cheerful juicer just big enought to juice a quater of an apple at a time & clogged up (needing a complete strip down/wash) after about two apples.

Any tricks I'm missing?

I've considered making a press or even buying one but wondered if any of you homebrewers might have some crafty alternatives.

p.s. I have made cider from the cartons of juice before and know it's easy but as I get these apples for free I'd prefer to use them.

Re: A pressing question (Apples = homebrew)
 

Do you have one of those blenders that can blend an iPhone? Then press the remaining liquid with a cloth around it...?

Re: A pressing question (Apples = homebrew)
 

I've heard that you can hire proper apple presses for cider making. I've also heard that apple growers who make cider will press you apples for a small fee if they have the spare time.

Haven't tried it myself though, but would love to. I've just put sloes onto 2 litres of gin, a bottle pf port onto some elderberries and I'm planning on putting whiskey on the pitifully poor crop of blackberries. Looking forward to Christmas!

Re: A pressing question (Apples = homebrew)
 

join a local cider making club.

Port in elderberries. Hmmm. Now that sounds nice. What quantities\process did you follow?
I've loads just come in and was toying with making a wine but what you've done sounds tasty.

Is that done with sugar in a demijohn?

I might just try that. If anything at least the jucier won't have to work its butt off.

Re: A pressing question (Apples = homebrew)
 

yes I have some great advice.. Pm me and Ill share with you its DIY but works really well, dont have time to write it all now though.

Re: A pressing question (Apples = homebrew)
 

It's in a Kilner jar and made much like sloe gin but with less sugar. It doesn't ferment itself, just infuses. I gues about 100g sugar to 250g elderberries to a bottle of port. I've made elderberry wine before but I've got out of the wine making habit now. Maybe I should dust off the demijohns again...

Thanks Messie x

Definitely going to have a bash.

Almost set my Kenwood on fire pulping the bucket of apples. If he brings more I'm going to ask about and see if anyone has access to a better jucier/blender.
I've put a weight on the pulp and it's currently dripping nicely through my nylon bag.
Tbf much easier and quicker than the tiny jucier.

Re: A pressing question (Apples = homebrew)
 

Good luck with the cider - do you use the naturally occuring yeast?

Re: A pressing question (Apples = homebrew)
 

Hey fruity, do I get to taste some when it's done???

Re: A pressing question (Apples = homebrew)
 

Build a press, you know you need a welder.

Re: A pressing question (Apples = homebrew)
 

Proper way is to run the apples through a mincer, pile them on muslin sheets in big 'cheeses' and use a press to extract the juice.

Re: A pressing question (Apples = homebrew)
 

Hands up any geeks who thought this was about programming your own software on a Mac.

Re: A pressing question (Apples = homebrew)
 

Tried making some last year - we hired/borrowed a brilliant press for a day from a local allotment or climate change group thing(?). Heavy duty contraption that pulped the apples, a box at a time, with a screw down press. You just stuck a bucket underneath with muslin on top and out the juice poured. Well worth seeing if you can track one down - quite good fun too.

Opened our inaugural bottle from last year's harvest last week and....:smt078bloody awful! Smelled great, nice fizz, good appley flavour but not enough sugar added so it's like liquid heartburn in a bottle. Makes a good marinade for various things though so not a total waste but I'd rather have drunk it.

Re: A pressing question (Apples = homebrew)
 

The blender method worked but the suspended bag with the plate/weight didn't strain as well as I'd hoped.
After developing Popeye sized forearms from squeezing the remaining juice from the pulp I think I'll try to hunt down a press as you all advised.

Just picked a load more apples from the nearby school trees (the caretaker is my mate, i wasn't scrumping) so I might try blender/dads juicer combo before I scour the local hire shops.

I know you can but I might chuck in campden tablets & a champagne yeast for a more controlled brew.
Sure why not, sounds like a plan. I'll test it on my brother & if his teeth don't fall out we'll have to sort out a session.
Already scheming, borrowed my uncles rod welder on an unrelated job and haven't returned it yet (rubs hands together and cackles in a Bond villain stylee).

Re: A pressing question (Apples = homebrew)
 

Ive probably got enough bits and bobs to make one in my garage, ive got large threaded handles, 2 inch box section etc

When i get back from france, tell me what bits your short and ill see what i can find.