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Farm Kitchen:  I want to make apple cider but...  |
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lisamarie508
True Blue Farmgirl
2648 Posts
Lisa
Idaho City
ID
USA
2648 Posts |
 Posted - Sep 07 2009 : 4:00:27 PM
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I don't have a cider press and every instruction I find says to use one. Would anybody know why I couldn't just use my steam juicer or some other type of juicer?
Farmgirl Sister #35
"If you can not do great things, do small things in a great way." Napoleon Hill (1883-1970)
my blog:
http://lisamariesbasketry.blogspot.com/
My apron website:
http://lisamariesaprons.bravehost.com |
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gramadinah
True Blue Farmgirl
3557 Posts
Diana
Orofino
ID
USA
3557 Posts |
Posted - Sep 07 2009 : 4:05:42 PM
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I guess what the question is what is cider? Cause if you use a juicer what makes it juice compared to cider.
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #273 |
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lisamarie508
True Blue Farmgirl
2648 Posts
Lisa
Idaho City
ID
USA
2648 Posts |
Posted - Sep 07 2009 : 4:30:53 PM
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Well, from what I can tell the press simply chews up the whole apples and then you screw down the press to squeeze the juice out of the chunks. ok, I've made apple juice from my steam juicer and it's a pretty strong-tasting apple juice. Almost tastes like cider but, not quite. But, if I used one of those counter-top juicers that separates the seeds, pulp and skin from the juice; isn't that the same thing a cider press does? Or am I wrong.
Farmgirl Sister #35
"If you can not do great things, do small things in a great way." Napoleon Hill (1883-1970)
my blog:
http://lisamariesbasketry.blogspot.com/
My apron website:
http://lisamariesaprons.bravehost.com |
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gramadinah
True Blue Farmgirl
3557 Posts
Diana
Orofino
ID
USA
3557 Posts |
Posted - Sep 07 2009 : 5:39:50 PM
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I say yes. Diana
Farmgirl Sister #273 |
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Roxy7
True Blue Farmgirl
1083 Posts
Robin
Denver
CO
USA
1083 Posts |
Posted - Sep 07 2009 : 9:45:17 PM
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| Some wine making shops rent presses, but you have to be doing enough to make it worth your rental. |
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Lanna
True Blue Farmgirl
330 Posts
Lanna
A little town in Idaho
330 Posts |
Posted - Sep 08 2009 : 01:56:59 AM
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Cider isn't cooked or anything, it's totally raw and oxidizes so it's usually darker. If you've got the juicer, use what you've got. Finding a cider press for less than a fortune is... well, almost like trying to find the holy grail. We managed to luck into one and pay for it via trades of goods/services, but still.
Yes, the cider press usually has a grinder that chews up the apples into smaller chunks, that drops into your mesh bag in the slatted barrel thingie, then you lower this disk down on top of the bag of apples. And tighten it after the initial juice flow. Then we pull out the pomace to leave outside for the deer to snack on, and repeat the process. The squished apples are pretty close to dry though, it's kind of neat. Can be time consuming with just a smallish press like ours, but we're not a commercial operation or anything. ;)
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Lanna, mama to three little monkeys and growing a new little sprout |
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lisamarie508
True Blue Farmgirl
2648 Posts
Lisa
Idaho City
ID
USA
2648 Posts |
Posted - Sep 08 2009 : 04:44:45 AM
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You're right, Lanna. Cider presses are REALLY expensive. Doesn't seem right for such a fairly simple, non-motorized contraption. I love cider and if I can manage to make it myself, I want to go on and turn some of that into cider vinegar, too. We have TONS of apples around here that are free for the taking and it just kills me to let them rot on the ground simply because I don't have enough time to peel, core and can them ALL...yet I want to! Hmmm, wonder if I can build my own...
Farmgirl Sister #35
"If you can not do great things, do small things in a great way." Napoleon Hill (1883-1970)
my blog:
http://lisamariesbasketry.blogspot.com/
My apron website:
http://lisamariesaprons.bravehost.com |
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Mamarude
True Blue Farmgirl
107 Posts
Anna
Durango
Colorado
USA
107 Posts |
Posted - Sep 08 2009 : 09:19:47 AM
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We actually have a homemade apple press, made by my grandfather and his buddy. It's been working for at least 50 years and does the job! I also have a champion juicer, and use that for small amounts. It's basically the same idea, grind it up and press the juice out. Use what you have, or start nosing around. We share our press willingly! It doesn't hurt to ask! The apples are awesome this year, our town has an apple harvest festival and college kids go out and glean apples from willing houses, there's also talks from extension agents on various topics, growing fruit trees, pruning, and preserving, etc. It's a fabulous thing!
Cherian |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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Farm Kitchen: I want to make apple cider but... |
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I want to make apple cider but...
