Comments for Apple Cider & Homemade Wine

Comment on Holiday Gift Baskets by Gift Baskets

Gift Baskets — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 18:12:27 +0000

Great ideas that I totally forgot about. . . .guess it’s because fruit and nuts were put in our Christmas Stockings! Now some great smelling apples and tangerines will go into my holiday gift baskets! Thanks and have a great day!

Comment on Yakima Press Company’s Cider Press by jyounk509

jyounk509 — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 03:05:45 +0000

Hello smaalaxe10, Please check out our pages at the Yakima Press Co.'s website. You will find more info and pictures on our new cider press, The Colonial Cider Mill. Please let me know if you have any further questions or comments. Thanks!

Comment on Yakima Press Company’s Cider Press by whatever/

whatever/ — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:23:48 +0000

stupid, cant even see it.

Comment on How to make a homemade apple grinder by Carl Lindberg

Carl Lindberg — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 04:12:53 +0000

Recently, I attended a cider tasting at the BottleHouse pub in Seattle. I was pleasantly surprised by the number of commercial cider makers taking aobut, or actually producing mixed ciders (mixing another fruit juice/cider with apple cider). It motivated me to spend a day picking, pitting and using my cider grinder and press on a mix of sweet and tart cherries. Now I have a 50% apple cider, 50% cherry cider mix fermenting with the SN9 Yeast Strain from Vintner’s Harvest. And it looks good so far!

Comment on Handmade Cider Press by PJ

PJ — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 17:12:07 +0000

the photo of the handmade apple grinder is what we are looking for to replace in our press. Our press is a hocking valley about 100 yrs old. Any help in finding would be appreciated

Comment on How to make a homemade apple grinder by Carl Lindberg

Carl Lindberg — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 16:05:23 +0000

Here is additional information concerning my apple grinder described in my first posting above. After researching grinding methods used by home cider makers, I chose to use a new stainless steel garbage disposal unit. From the photos I posted on flickr (the actual URL is provided on my earlier posting above), you can see my grinder mounted on a wooden cart. It is comprised of a stainless steel kitchen sink with a 1HP Insinkerator brand disposal unit mounted underneath. In operating this grinder, we first core each apple after washing. Because the apple seeds tend to be bitter (and the grinder would break the seeds into small pieces liberating that bitterness into the cider), we use a common kitchen tool that both cores and slices each apple with a downward thrust through the apple (see flickr photo “Coring the Apples” where two of these coring tools are shown on the table with the bowls of cored apples). The sink serves as a hopper from which to slowly feed apple slices into the running disposal unit below (be extremely careful not to put your fingers anywhere near this running unit,….I use a long handled wooden kitchen spoon to push apple slices into the mouth of the disposal unit). Occasionally the unit clogs and I found that pouring about a cup of previously pressed cider into the mouth of the operating unit will clear the clog. Finally, such disposal units are not designed for prolonged operations (they will overheat and the automatic shut off will engage). To remedy that, I stop grinding after about every 40 minutes and shut off the unit for about 12-15 minutes allowing it to cool down. I would be happy to answer any questions that you may have, email me at; cal1advise@aol.com

Comment on How to make a homemade apple grinder by Thomas Hart

Thomas Hart — Tue, 31 May 2011 22:36:39 +0000

Yes, I would love info on your friend’s grinders.

Comment on Making an Apple Grinder by George Hockel

George Hockel — Sat, 28 May 2011 12:52:36 +0000

Hi Carl, building My own grinder and press is on my long term “to do” list. I have a small orchard of trees and a garden that is made for cider and wine. Some questions that I have are – What type of apples are You grinding? Where is Lake Chelan?
I want to build a grinder similar to the one You described. How long does it take You to make cider and what size batch? I plan on eventually making 100 gallons. I like Your engineering style. Is this hard cider? Love to hear from You .

Comment on How to make a homemade apple grinder by Ross M

Ross M — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 18:08:37 +0000

Hello – I am looking for a grinder and was not able to locate on your site any additional information about your friend who builds grinders. Would you mind sharing this information? Thanks!!

Comment on Restoring an Old Cider Press by jyounk509

jyounk509 — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 15:03:54 +0000

Hi Bill, You can usually find antique cider presses in the classifieds or on craigslist. The prices are all over the board, depending on condition, but mostly on emotional attachment. Some of the old cider presses have been in the family for generations. If you are thinking of restoring an old cider press, I wouldn't pay more than $300-$500 if the hardware is decent. You can clean up the hardware, buy some wood and have a nice press for under $700 probably. If you are looking for a new press, I have recently added Happy Valley Ranch cider presses to my inventory, you can find them at The Fruit Press. Thanks for you note, Justin