How to Clean a Cider Press

Some people use fresh apples to make their own homemade apple cider.

The juice of apples is known as cider, according to Cornell University. Apples must be cut up in to small pieces and then crushed to release this juice. The cider press is the tool used to squeeze the juice out of the apple. Apple cider is readily available in stores or on local farms during the fall season, but some people prefer to make apple cider themselves with the use of a home cider press. Proper cleaning and sanitizing of the cider press and all other equipment is vital for health reasons. Using a dirty cider press may cause food-borne illness, according to Cornell.

Things You'll Need

• Sponge
• Soap
• Hot water
• Chlorine bleach
• Bucket

Instructions

1. Rinse the cider press thoroughly with clean water to remove any large food particles and to prepare the press for more intensive cleaning and sanitizing. It is not necessary to dry the cider press at this stage in the cleaning.

2. Disassemble the press, and thoroughly wash all surfaces by hand using hot, soapy water to remove particles that would otherwise encourage bacterial growth. Rinse the press well after you wash it and allow it to air-dry on a clean surface. Wash the press after each use.

3. Mix 2 ounces of chlorine bleach and 10 gallons of water in a bucket to create a sanitizing solution, which kills any microorganisms on the cider press.

   The University of Tennessee Extension recommends that you sanitize the cider press prior to every use. Rinse the press thoroughly at least twice to completely remove the sanitizing solution. Air-dry the cider press once more after sanitizing it to prevent cross-contamination of the press that might otherwise occur by drying it with a cloth that has any type of contaminant already on it.

Tips & Warnings

• Wash and sanitize all the equipment daily after use, not just the cider press.

• Use only ripe apples of good quality and wash them thoroughly before use to avoid introducing any contaminants in to the cider or equipment.

• Perform all cleaning and sanitizing operations in a clean area as well to avoid cross-contamination while completing these tasks.

• Do not sell any apple cider created from a home cider press unless you have met all applicable food production requirements and regulations. Visit the FDA Web site for more information.

• Store your cider press in a clean area away from flies or other contaminating factors.

References

• University of Maine Extension: Safe Home Cider Making
• University of Tennessee Extension: Home Apple Cider Production
• Cornell Cooperative Extension: Cider Making
• Washington State University: Food Safety

Resources

• University of Georgia Extension: Making Apple Cider
• FDA: Food Safety