OVHA Chat

I do believe we are going to attempt another CiderFest this year. Last year was a blast and lots and lots of cider was made. However we had a major metal contamination issue that hopefully will be solved this year. Details to come!

To start things off, here is a series of pics from Flickr on a built from scratch apple grinder. It was designed to hook up to a bicycle.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/38575446@N ... otostream/

I would like to do cider again. It was a lot of fun and I think we should definitely take advantage of having an orchard in town while we still have one. If you're planning on building a new mill or something let me know as I would like to help.


I will not, however, be pedaling a bicycle.

I'm more in favor of using a modified garbage disposal for the crushing and making a press to extract the juice

Garbage disposal grinder and hydraulic press is definetly the way to go.
Who knows a wood worker to make the wooden slats for the bucket?

Wow - my way of thinking!
First, to get any kind of volume done I beleive that a motorized crusher/pulper is needed.
First thing that come to mind is a stainless steel garbage disposer.
What we call "DUTY" is critical. For a simple experiment simpy raise and lower you motorized garage door about six or seven times - there will be smoke! I have heard that many disposers are not rated for continuous duty. We would definitely need a continuous rating. Actually the rest is relatively easy [relatively]. I may still have the frame from the press we used last time but most is already gone and actually on EBAY right now!
A simple inverted "bottle jack" would work fine as a press but stacked trays for the pulp may be better? MMmmmmmmmm, not sure. If we do do something we will need to move pretty quick. I do have buckets [old ones] I think.

Check out this site:

http://www.whizbangcider.com/2009/01/wh ... llery.html

He is using a modified garbage disposal for his mill. He also sells a how-to book and some do-it-yourself parts.


Also check out this YouTube vid:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGSHZwwME-c

Notice that the apples must be cut up in order to fit into the disposal.

Does anyone remember what time of year it was when we did this last year? I suppose a lot depends on when the apples are ready.

MID TO LATE SEPTEMBER FOR FIRST GO AND THEN 2ND WEEK OCTOBER

check this link http://www.pleasanthillgrain.com/fruit_press.aspx

UPDATED DATES:

Dutch will be putting some ideas together and will have a press and crusher. It was a long day last year, so we decided to split the cider-making efforts into 2 weekend days this year.

Picking Day - 10/17 - We'll meet somewhere (maybe Dutch's) and head to the orchard to pick our apples. Please bring tubs, buckets, baskets, etc. Also bug repellent and long pants are not a bad idea ... I got poison ivy there last year.

Crushing/Pressing Day - 10/24 - Tentatively in Dutch's garage. Bring carboys/buckets and any chemicals and a good night's sleep.

Times TBA here closer to the dates.

If you can participate in Picking but not crushing, please bring a carboy on that day so you can get some cider.

Can't wait! I ordered a couple of different yeasts in preparation for Ciderfest 2009.

Thinking ahead a little bit - Can we get a response from those who would want to participate. We will need to know how many folks are interested in each day [one Saturday picking and the second Saturday pressing]. Also, we will need to estimate the number of bushels of apples needed. A bushel of apples yields between 2.5 and 3.0 gallons of raw cider [ maybe a hair more?].
Anyone who is intertested in cider should also indicate how many gallons of cider they would want as well. I would think for one long day we would be limited to about 80-100 gallons - assuming everything goes really well. That also means we will need between 25 -30 bushels of apples! We willalso need the appropriate amount of boxes and plastic tubs to hold all of the apples for the following week!
I will be totally out of the area from Oct 3 throughn 12th. I would like to make a trial run prior to that. The grinder should be here in a couple of days so I can get to work with that equipment base, motor, belt, ram and feed table.
I will also set aside parts for the press, bucket and trivet - maybe some Saturday we could get a couple of guys together to help?

HAY!!!HAY!!!HAY!!! .I would very much like to participate.I'm interested in cider making and have made two,so far,from apple JUICE .They turned out ok but I Know the real thing will be better.I need to learn a lot more about it too.

I had a very busy Saturday ... did I miss any preparation? I'm free today (Sun.) if you need any help.

For the cider count ... i think I will just do three gallons this year (I have a fancy little fermenter for just such an occasion.)

I'm planning on being at both events. 5 gal is all I need. Kenny is pretty sure he can't make either day so I'll collect 5 gal for him if possible.