fruit press

[adamhartree]

hi, does anyone know where i can hire a fruit press from so i can make cider and perry, im in birmingham if that helps, i dont think i will use it much so it wouldnt be worth me buyying one. thanks for your help

[Tam]

I don't know of anyone who hires out fruit presses, but one of our neighbours bought a five litre one from http://compare.ebay.co.uk/like/220826040892?ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&rvr_id=260436766655&clk_rvr_id=260436766655&crlp=1_262531_281231&UA=WVS%3F&GUID=7b0b79ec12c0a47a2f053c25ffb06685&mt_id=635&query={query}&fitem=220826040892&linkin_id=8068968&kw={query}&sortbid=17&ff4=262531_281231
for about a hundred pounds. The one and a half litre one that comes up is, of course, considerably cheaper.

[adamhartree]

thanks tam, i have now found a press and a pulper for £5 hire a day, i have now picked 50kg of apples and 50kg pears so i can make cider and a perry and am going to collect the crusher and press tomorrow, so with any look i should have a load of cider in the near future. its my first time at making cider from my own pressed apples so i hope it goes ok. cant wait to get pressin now

[StephenH]

If the pears are ordinary eating ones, they won't make very good perry, which is made only with special perry pears (or so the books all say: I don't write from experience), so you might be better off eating them, if so. You can make excellent cider from eating and cooking apples, but usually n ot from a single variety (as I know to my cost: 'James Grieve' is a fantastic eater and cooker, but on its own it makes rubbish cider). If your apples are all one variety, then it might be a good idea to add some of another variety. This year, I'm adding to my 'James Grieve's some crab apples picked from trees growing in hedgerows. Being very sharp compared to domestic apples, I hope they'll help produce a cider with a bit of bite.

[SarzWix]

Sometimes blending the apples and the pears makes a decent brew - Olde English cider is a blend with perry I think. We've done a mixture of the two and it worked fine.

If you've only got one type of apple, you can improve the juice so that you get a better cider - add tea (yes, literally, strong black tea) for tannins, and lemon for bite.

[binley100]

My brewing book says to mix eating apples with cookers and crab apples ......

[VirginVegGrower]

Any brewers that could post a cider recipe as I am getting thirsty just reading all this? Would love to have a go. Pretty please

[SarzWix]

There isn't a recipe as such VVG, you just squish and press your apples, and then add yeast. Let it ferment out and bottle or barrel it, then drink it

[VirginVegGrower]

There isn't a recipe as such VVG, you just squish and press your apples, and then add yeast. Let it ferment out and bottle or barrel it, then drink it

Then I think it's high time I gave it a go. Our neigbours have offered us all their apples too. Thanks!

[bobleponge]

There isn't a recipe as such VVG, you just squish and press your apples, and then add yeast. Let it ferment out and bottle or barrel it, then drink it

I just wish it were that simple Sarz, I've tried for the last 2 years, by doing exactly that, and I cant bladdy do it. There must be something I'm doing wrong, but I'm stuffed if I know what it is.

[VirginVegGrower]

thanks tam, i have now found a press and a pulper for £5 hire a day, i have now picked 50kg of apples and 50kg pears so i can make cider and a perry and am going to collect the crusher and press tomorrow, so with any look i should have a load of cider in the near future. its my first time at making cider from my own pressed apples so i hope it goes ok. cant wait to get pressin now

Can I ask where you have hired from please as I live in the Midlands and we have six wheelbarrow loads to press? Thanks!

[zazen999]

2:18 am?

I'm not laughing at you still up sorting those apples out, honest....

[SarzWix]

I just wish it were that simple Sarz, I've tried for the last 2 years, by doing exactly that, and I cant bladdy do it. There must be something I'm doing wrong, but I'm stuffed if I know what it is.

What do you mean by 'can't do it'? Is it not fermenting? Or does it just not taste nice?

This is a brilliant book, explains how to blend apples, and things you can add to improve flavour, as well as the basic 'How to': http://www.amazon.co.uk/Real-Cider-M...7063977&sr=1-1

[VirginVegGrower]

2:18 am?

I'm not laughing at you still up sorting those apples out, honest....

YES 2:18am! You are laughing, you fibber! No sleep last night because all I could think of was apples. You must come up and see this orchard. It really is something else. All on my doorstep too...woohoo!

[merlin]

Recipe for cider

Any brewers that could post a cider recipe as I am getting thirsty just reading all this? Would love to have a go. Pretty please

hi, I just read your letter, it is probally a bit late for this year but I made a quick film for my son (I call him bones, so that will explain why I say hi bones on the film lol), on how to make cider.

It is very easy to make cider, although I expect there are many recipies from more serious brewers out there.

The film is here, I am trying to make a web site for bits and pieces like this but it is a very home made site, so don't expect much. How to make Cider

There is a part two Home made cider part 2

Hope it helps a bit