My first cider batch for 2017. A few easy steps

aerospacefarmer

5 year old buck +
IMG_1668.JPG Step 1. Grow some nice apples

Step 2. Harvest apples. I used the bushel in the middle which is some sort of macintosh I think very juicy and sweet for this early
 
IMG_1669.JPG Step 3. Get apples and press ready to grind. The basket with the mesh cloth is under the grinder where the pieces will fall
 
IMG_1670.JPG Another view of basket under grinder
 
IMG_1671.JPG Step 4. Grind apples into basket
 
IMG_1672.JPG Another view of apples in grinder
 
IMG_1673.JPG Step 5. Move basket to pressing area. Just slides forward and you can see the juice starting to flow even before it is pressed
 
Step 6. Press apples. Wow block goes into basket and the screw pushes block onto apples and presses juice out with all matter being caught by mesh bagIMG_1676.JPG
 
Another view of pressingIMG_1677.JPG
 
IMG_1678.JPG Another pic of juice filling the bucket and really flowing heavy
 
Step 7. Release press and see how apples are really smushed IMG_1679.JPG
 
IMG_1680.JPG Step 8. Remove apple must and place it in front of your best trailcam lol. The deer and many other critters will flock to it as it attracts with its aroma
 
That looks awesome. I would eventually like to have a setup like that (once my apple trees produce well enough to produce cider). Do you have a rough estimate on what a cider grinder and press combo like that would cost? I'm sure they're not cheap, but it looks like your setup really well built and solid.
 
How much cider do you end up with from the 4 buckets of apples shown in your first picture?
 
IMG_1681.JPG Photo of bucket almost full. 1 bushel of apples made 2 gallons of cider
 
That looks awesome. I would eventually like to have a setup like that (once my apple trees produce well enough to produce cider). Do you have a rough estimate on what a cider grinder and press combo like that would cost? I'm sure they're not cheap, but it looks like your setup really well built and solid.
Not cheap but very sturdy and includes what you see but you have to assemble Here is link http://www.happyvalleyranch.com/American-Harvester-Cider-Press-Grinder_p_8.html
 
Forgive my ignorance, but is the cider simply the juice from the presses apples and nothing added? Do you just make different varieties by mixing different variety of apples in a batch?

Same question as Ben - estimated cost for that setup and where do you get it from? I will have to wait 4-5 years yet but curiosity has struck.
 
Forgive my ignorance, but is the cider simply the juice from the presses apples and nothing added? Do you just make different varieties by mixing different variety of apples in a batch?

Same question as Ben - estimated cost for that setup and where do you get it from? I will have to wait 4-5 years yet but curiosity has struck.
Cider is simply the juice pressed from apples. You can mix and match or do single variety. Cost is about 1000 bucks. Click link in last reply to Ben
 
That press looks too nice to use.

Having the right tool for the job sure makes a big difference though. Makes a difficult job enjoyable! Well done.

-John
 
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