How to Build an Apple Cider Press
Apple cider, the unfiltered and unprocessed form of apple juice, is a popular beverage during autumn and winter. Since the only required ingredient is juice, it is not difficult to make; however, the presses needed to extract the cider from the apples can be quite expensive. With some time and effort, though, it is possible to make your own cider press at home. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Hardwood (maple or oak) 2x4s
- Large screws
- Saw
- Food-grade 5-gallon bucket
- Electric drill
- Large metal tray
- Hacksaw
- Bottle jack
- Thick hardwood cutting board
- Cheesecloth
Instructions
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1
Build a large rectangular frame out of the 2x4s. The frame must be large enough for your 5-gallon bucket, sitting on the metal tray, to easily sit inside it when the frame is standing upright, and must be stable enough that neither the frame itself nor the bucket will be in danger of tipping over. This frame is going to be placed under a lot of pressure from the inside, so make sure all the corners are joined well; you may want to reinforce them with glue or L-brackets.
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2
Drill many small (1/2-inch or less) holes in the sides of the bucket. Space them evenly, drilling all the way around the bucket and from the very bottom to close to the top. Be sure to get rid of any plastic shavings or sharp edges on the inside of the bucket.
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3
Cut a notch out of the rim of the metal tray with the hacksaw. This notch will serve as the drain for your cider, so make sure that it is positioned so that it will be readily accessible when the bucket and tray are sitting in the wooden frame. Also be sure to cut the notch all the way down to the base of the tray to facilitate draining.
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4
Cut the cutting board into a circle that fits inside the bucket all the way to the bottom, with as little extra space as possible. This will be the pressing board of the cider press.
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5
Place the cheesecloth in the bucket. You will ideally want enough cheesecloth to completely wrap up all the apples you place in the press, with enough left over to tie the cloth into a rough bag for easy cleanup after pressing.
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Use the press by filling the bucket most of the way with ground apples and tying the cheesecloth around them. Then place the bucket on the tray in the wooden frame, place the pressing board on the cheesecloth, and set the bottle jack on top of the center of the pressing board. Crank the bottle jack so that it presses against the underside of the top of the frame, thereby pushing the pressing board downward and squeezing the apples. Cider should run out of the holes in the bucket, collect in the tray, and drain out through the notch into whatever bucket or jug you are using to store your cider.
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Tips & Warnings
Be sure to use hardwoods in both the pressing board and the frame. If the frame is softwood, it may not hold under the pressure of the jack, and if the pressing board is softwood it may impart off flavors to the cider.
Use a cutting board if possible for the pressing board, as the wood will be food-safe and not treated with potentially harmful chemicals (or toxic glues, as with plywood); otherwise, you will need to check with your lumber supplier to make sure the wood you use for the pressing board is similarly safe. The 2x4 frame will not contact the cider, and does not need to be food-safe.
