It is that time of the year when our apples start to fall from the tree. With the blackberries picked this week the wife is happy and will be making apple and balackberry pie.. mmmmmmmm
I decided to use the left over apples and make a cider. Our apple tree didn't produce as much this year as it did last, but I figured I had enough left over for just about 1 gallon of cider. I deiced to use the blender to pulp the apples ready for squishing. After 3-4 hours of doing this in our small blender, and taking no end of abuse from the wife I was ready!
I knocked up a home made press in the garage using some left over pallet wood (from our chicken house build). Took about 20 mins. It isn't the strongest or best looking press in the world, but it worked for my small batch. I may make a better one next year. Its a simple wooden frame with 2 baking trays as the collection tray and squisher , I drilled a hole in the baking tray for juice to escape into my collection bucket. The tray needed replacing anyway.. "yes dear".
Nobbled a pair of the wifes tights, perfect for putting the apple pulp into before pressing, be warned.. get permission first :nono: .
Used the car jack to squish the apple pulp, with the press making cracking noises with every twist of the jack, but it held out (with some reinforcement along the way). I collected just over 2 liters of juice, a little less than I had wanted, but good enough with some bulking out with cooled boiled water.
I've added a good measure of sugar to compensate for the added water + a little extra and its going into the DJ up to the shoulder. I've a few apples left over which I intend to squish next week and top up the DJ. I expect to get about 500ml of juice from these and will tup up the rest with water. I will add some extra sugar at that stage too to really bump the % when its done.
i think it may come out more like wine.. but it's been a fun learning experience.
Pulping apples takes forever, don't start this in the evening as its dark when you finish and the mrs will give you glares . The press needs to be a bit stronger etc. However, can't wait to try the result.
cider making should come with a time consuming warning
I decided to use the left over apples and make a cider. Our apple tree didn't produce as much this year as it did last, but I figured I had enough left over for just about 1 gallon of cider. I deiced to use the blender to pulp the apples ready for squishing. After 3-4 hours of doing this in our small blender, and taking no end of abuse from the wife I was ready!
I knocked up a home made press in the garage using some left over pallet wood (from our chicken house build). Took about 20 mins. It isn't the strongest or best looking press in the world, but it worked for my small batch. I may make a better one next year. Its a simple wooden frame with 2 baking trays as the collection tray and squisher , I drilled a hole in the baking tray for juice to escape into my collection bucket. The tray needed replacing anyway.. "yes dear".
Nobbled a pair of the wifes tights, perfect for putting the apple pulp into before pressing, be warned.. get permission first :nono: .
Used the car jack to squish the apple pulp, with the press making cracking noises with every twist of the jack, but it held out (with some reinforcement along the way). I collected just over 2 liters of juice, a little less than I had wanted, but good enough with some bulking out with cooled boiled water.
I've added a good measure of sugar to compensate for the added water + a little extra and its going into the DJ up to the shoulder. I've a few apples left over which I intend to squish next week and top up the DJ. I expect to get about 500ml of juice from these and will tup up the rest with water. I will add some extra sugar at that stage too to really bump the % when its done.
i think it may come out more like wine.. but it's been a fun learning experience.
Pulping apples takes forever, don't start this in the evening as its dark when you finish and the mrs will give you glares . The press needs to be a bit stronger etc. However, can't wait to try the result.
cider making should come with a time consuming warning