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Farm Kitchen:  Does anyone make their own cheese?  |
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urban chickie
True Blue Farmgirl
734 Posts
Catherine
Niles
IL
USA
734 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 17 2011 : 2:02:10 PM
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I am starting to get into cheese making. I really want to get or make a press for rd cheeses, but either they are real expensive or require tools I don't have. But I am working on it! I was wondering who else loves cheese and makes their own? Please share your stories!!
Catherine
Farmgirl #1370
City Girl By Birth,
Suburbanite By Location,
Farmgirl at Heart
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Dorinda
True Blue Farmgirl
1023 Posts
Dorinda
St. Cloud
Florida
USA
1023 Posts |
Posted - Apr 17 2011 : 5:44:25 PM
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Catherine I bought a book this week end on Making your own cheese. I also do not have any tools.
The book said you could buy most of your supplies from a cheese supply company. So I am going to Goggle Cheese supplies and see what I can find If I find any thing I will let you know. I am also going to try my hand at cheese making. I have so many projects going at this time. I must be crazy trying a new project. Oh well I hope I can sqeeze it in.
Seize The Day!
Dorinda |
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Dorinda
True Blue Farmgirl
1023 Posts
Dorinda
St. Cloud
Florida
USA
1023 Posts |
Posted - Apr 17 2011 : 5:59:11 PM
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Okay catherine I found some cheese making supplies at www.thecheesemaker.com and www. cheesesupply.com. I will look some more tomorrow if I get time. I am baby sitting my 5 month old grand son tomorrow. Anyways good luck!
Seize The Day!
Dorinda |
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bevibrant
Farmgirl in Training
43 Posts
Kayla
Potlatch
IDAHO
USA
43 Posts |
Posted - Apr 17 2011 : 6:53:17 PM
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I hope to start making cheeses soon. We're building our house and have a cellar spot in the basement where I plan to age cheeses! Can't wait to hear what others are doing.
Kayla Howard
www.kaylahoward.com |
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urban chickie
True Blue Farmgirl
734 Posts
Catherine
Niles
IL
USA
734 Posts |
Posted - Apr 17 2011 : 7:45:49 PM
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Dorinda, I got Ricki Carroll's Book "Home Cheese Making" from the library a while back, loved it, and finally got my own copy. It looks pretty great for the beginner. Ricki runs New England Cheesemaking (your 2nd link) and that's where I bought my first ingredients and such. Am waiting for my first order to come! Some supplies are things I can make do with what I already have in my kitchen - my frosting knife is the perfect curd cutter, I think, and a salad spinner insert makes a good ricotta draining mold lol. But the press has me stumped. There are instruction online for making cheap ones but I just don't have the tools to do it. Yet. If I had the space, I would love to have a whole workshop of tools. I love making things but really not much experience with "hardware" tools LOL.
Kayla, that's great to have a cellar area! This is a hobby I could see really getting into.
Catherine
Farmgirl #1370
City Girl By Birth,
Suburbanite By Location,
Farmgirl at Heart
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doglady
True Blue Farmgirl
435 Posts
Tina
Howard
Ohio
USA
435 Posts |
Posted - Apr 17 2011 : 8:18:52 PM
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If you need a cheese press, why not contact those in the Amish area to find out if they could make you a press or sell you one that they have. You might check out Lehman's hardware store in Kidron, Ohio. It's very big and they have a website.
Tina
Dogs never judge people, they only forgive!
www.kennelcreations.com |
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City Chick
True Blue Farmgirl
1402 Posts
Deb
Chattanooga
TN
USA
1402 Posts |
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4184 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4184 Posts |
Posted - Apr 18 2011 : 3:43:19 PM
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I make all our cheeses. Get my supplies from Hoeggers goat supply. Great place.
For the life of me, I can't remember what I used for a press before I bought one.
You can use weights, jar of pennies, bricks, anything equaling 20, to 50 pounds.
happy cheese making
Michele |
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alterationsbyemily
True Blue Farmgirl
686 Posts
Emily
Thomasville
PA
USA
686 Posts |
Posted - Apr 19 2011 : 1:33:18 PM
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I have "200 homemade cheeses" it was the best purchase, I really looked through all the books I could before I purchased. It gives an exact detail of the best kit that you can have, I purchased everything between Ikea and Christmas tree shop for about $40. I also made the french press that you can find here http://fiascofarm.com/dairy/cheesepress.html (Not to mention the eye candy that cut the boards for me a Lowes) Instead of adding wieghts to it I use a calculation of water like this http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_much_does_one_gallon_of_water_weigh I just put the water in old gallons or other tubs that I have on hand. At the same time I use the cheese press as a spice rack. A friend of mine has goats and she will have three milking this year, they just started so we should start making cheese soon. We have made Chevre and Motzerella. We hope to add a hard cheese this year. Don't forget to reserve the whey and make ricotta by simply adding X amount of vinegar to Y amount of Whey.
The book is amazing and it is really easy to use. For the Cultures I use the Cheesemaker it had the best price and customer service. I would recommend that you get a laser thermometer with instant read. I blame my first batch not working because of inaccurate temp reads.
Keep us updated on your adventures
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Farmgirl #2951
Currently renting-farmgirl wannabe |
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MaggieMB
True Blue Farmgirl
217 Posts
Mary
western
Pa
217 Posts |
Posted - Apr 19 2011 : 2:58:22 PM
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| The Barbara Kingsolver book, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, had a cheese recipe that seemed a little easier than others I've read about. MaggieMB |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Apr 19 2011 : 4:58:37 PM
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I have made feta, mozzarella, ricotta, and some hard cheeses with goats milk. I made a press just using heavy books and bricks. Then I bought the small press from Hoeggar. Enjoy your new adventure in cheese making! I will be in milk here in about a week. Both my does just kidded. But I also have a few milk customers. I may have to find another doe soon.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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urban chickie
True Blue Farmgirl
734 Posts
Catherine
Niles
IL
USA
734 Posts |
Posted - Apr 19 2011 : 9:05:41 PM
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Those of you with your own milk animals make me soooo envious! That is my dream :)
I will have to check out the 200 Homemade Cheeses from the library, I never saw that one. Thanks for the suggestion!
Catherine
Farmgirl #1370
City Girl By Birth,
Suburbanite By Location,
Farmgirl at Heart
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urban chickie
True Blue Farmgirl
734 Posts
Catherine
Niles
IL
USA
734 Posts |
Posted - Apr 22 2011 : 10:40:53 AM
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Emily, I can't find info on "200 Homemade Cheeses". Could it possibly be "200 Easy Homemade Cheeses"? My local library has a book with that title so I am hoping they are one and the same :)
Catherine
Farmgirl #1370
City Girl By Birth,
Suburbanite By Location,
Farmgirl at Heart
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alterationsbyemily
True Blue Farmgirl
686 Posts
Emily
Thomasville
PA
USA
686 Posts |
Posted - Apr 23 2011 : 6:26:45 PM
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Yes its 200 easy... sorry missed that word
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Farmgirl #2951
Currently renting-farmgirl wannabe |
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urban chickie
True Blue Farmgirl
734 Posts
Catherine
Niles
IL
USA
734 Posts |
Posted - Apr 24 2011 : 09:38:20 AM
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Emily, I am glad it is one and the same, because my library has it! I will be able to pick it up tomorrow and read through it. I also got my first cheesemaking supplies so I can make my first batch tomorrow. Yippee! Can't wait and am kind of thinking the whole family shebang later today is getting in the way of my fun LOL. My dad has already chastised me for not having a batch of cheese ready to share today. So, I think I will have no shortage of ready taste testers on this adventure!
Catherine
Farmgirl #1370
City Girl By Birth,
Suburbanite By Location,
Farmgirl at Heart
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prairielandherbs
True Blue Farmgirl
690 Posts
Maggie
Iowa
USA
690 Posts |
Posted - Apr 24 2011 : 09:54:39 AM
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I am going to check out that book, thank you for the recommendation! I make mozzarella, queso blanco, and feta,so far. Queso blanco is a lovely easy cheese to start with because it requires exactly zero special tools and is practically fool proof. I make this at least once a week. Here's my tutorial:
http://iowacorndog.blogspot.com/2009/08/queso-blanco.html |
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wooliespinner
True Blue Farmgirl
1311 Posts
Linda
Manchester
Ohio
1311 Posts |
Posted - Apr 29 2011 : 3:56:58 PM
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I have made the soft goat cheeses the past 18 years. I have never tried the aged cheeses yet but want to this year. I get most of my supplies from Hoegger supply company.Their website is ......www.thegoatstore.com I hope to spring for a cheese press this year.
They have several cheese presses and tons of cultures, books, and cheese making supplies. They have about everything you could possibly need.
Linda
Raspberry Run Farm
Nubian Dairy Goats |
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shabbyms
True Blue Farmgirl
157 Posts
Cheryle
Naperville
IL
USA
157 Posts |
Posted - May 01 2011 : 07:46:18 AM
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Cathrine,
One of the gals from my chapter and I just made cheese presses. They are a cinche to make and so was the cheese. I see you don't live far. Are you going to come and meet MaryJane when she is in Lombard? I made two presses and would happily give you one. I found dirctions in the book Basic Country Skills. Two peices of found wood from the garage and a broom stick and a large coffee can and we were in business in about a half an hour. Niles isn't to terrible far from Naperville. Angel and I made farmhouse cheddar and riccota the first time out and it was super easy and a blast. Although my groom and I are currently ungoing a kitchen remodel -we are due to make more cheese again very soon and already have our supplies. Please come and join us won't you. We are the Flour Sack Farmgirls and you can find us thru MaryJanes website to contact me.
We will problably complete this project on a Saturday or Sunday as it takes so time to produce a high quality product and we both have full time jobs. I look forward to hearing from you soon!
Love will make a way out of no way. -Lynda Barry
Cheryle is Farmgirl #604 |
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shabbyms
True Blue Farmgirl
157 Posts
Cheryle
Naperville
IL
USA
157 Posts |
Posted - May 01 2011 : 3:04:51 PM
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I had a request for the photo of the homemade cheesepress. Some found wood from the garage, a broomstick cut in thirds and a coffee can and we were in business. Most of the web sites I visited were asking around $100.00 or more and I wanted to make multiple batches at once. I hope you find this helpful ladies. I did purchase the basic kit from cheesemaking.com it was a matter of practicality- for me to run around town to purchase the basic items that come in the kit I would have spent more than the $39.00 in gas alone. You might have all of the basic items in your home already but I wanted fresh rennet, salt,the right muslin, and fresh mesophilc culture without using a tank of gas!
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The only thing this picture does not show is that you need to drill holes from the inside out for the whey to drain out. I hope you find this helpful. My Farmhouse cheddar is still aging. I plan on opening it when my kitchen remodel is complete. My groom and I are completing it ourselves. We are going to have an open kitchen party and I plan on serving the homemade cheese!!!!!
Love will make a way out of no way. -Lynda Barry
Cheryle is Farmgirl #604 |
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Okie Farm Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
1674 Posts
Mary Beth
McLoud
Oklahoma
USA
1674 Posts |
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shabbyms
True Blue Farmgirl
157 Posts
Cheryle
Naperville
IL
USA
157 Posts |
Posted - May 01 2011 : 3:19:13 PM
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Oh yes, when the plunger is raised the Bricks go on the top. Each brick is about a pound. I wrap mine in foil after cleaning them just to be safe side.
Love will make a way out of no way. -Lynda Barry
Cheryle is Farmgirl #604 |
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shabbyms
True Blue Farmgirl
157 Posts
Cheryle
Naperville
IL
USA
157 Posts |
Posted - May 01 2011 : 3:23:09 PM
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Maybe Angel and I should make a video of how to make a homemade cheesepress and post it? Would anyone be interested? If I hold the camera Angel could make the press!
Love will make a way out of no way. -Lynda Barry
Cheryle is Farmgirl #604 |
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Okie Farm Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
1674 Posts
Mary Beth
McLoud
Oklahoma
USA
1674 Posts |
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urban chickie
True Blue Farmgirl
734 Posts
Catherine
Niles
IL
USA
734 Posts |
Posted - May 02 2011 : 09:24:41 AM
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Cheryle, you are such a sweetheart to offer! And I do appreciate it I do, but I did get a cheese press since my original post. I bought a lightly used one off eBay that looks new to me lol. It's the Hamby dairy one and seems pretty sturdy. It has the springs and you measure your pressure with the number of turns of the screws. I kind of like the shelf style ones where you add weights, but then I would also need to buy weights lol. I see folks using milk cartons of water and such but I cannot fathom getting 50# of water on a small shelf! I got it delivered for less than a Cheesypress, so I figured that was good. It just arrived Sat so I am hoping to put it through its paces this week. I have made a few soft cheeses already and am happy with the results so far. Probably eating too much cheese lol!
re the holes in the sides of the mold.....I have been reading differing opinions on that. Some molds have them and some don't. I guess at least with some cheeses, the drainage holes on the sides of the mold can cause brittle spots in the final cheese. I don't know if there is a "best" way to go, but my mold that came with my press doesn't have holes on the sides. I have a small mold from New England Cheesemaking that does have the holes. So, eventually I will have to experiment and see what I like best. But right now I am in the total beginner stage and doing something different every time.
Catherine
Farmgirl #1370
City Girl By Birth,
Suburbanite By Location,
Farmgirl at Heart
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urban chickie
True Blue Farmgirl
734 Posts
Catherine
Niles
IL
USA
734 Posts |
Posted - May 02 2011 : 09:27:13 AM
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ooops! forgot to add that while it isn't ridiculously far, Lombard to too far for me to go because I don't drive and it's also on a sat, and I ALWAYS work sats. Boo hoo! Would be fun to meet MaryJane in person!
Catherine
Farmgirl #1370
City Girl By Birth,
Suburbanite By Location,
Farmgirl at Heart
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wooliespinner
True Blue Farmgirl
1311 Posts
Linda
Manchester
Ohio
1311 Posts |
Posted - May 02 2011 : 09:51:46 AM
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What a cool cheese press you are very creative. I will have to show my husband the picture and see if he could help me make one. Thanks so much for the photo.
Linda
Raspberry Run Farm
Nubian Dairy Goats |
Edited by - wooliespinner on May 03 2011 8:52:05 PM |
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Farm Kitchen: Does anyone make their own cheese? |
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Does anyone make their own cheese?
