Topic: Fruit juice

[Clayhithe]

Some years ago they gave me an apple press.

Any windfalls are collected and put straight in the freezer.
Pears too.
And plums.

When there's enough they're thawed in a sink of water,
cleaned
and cut into quarters.
Codling moth dung and bruises are cut out and discarded.

Bruises taint the whole batch.

A sturdy cast-iron drip tray,  with a wood and steel cage.
Fill it with apple pieces,  attach the press,  and wind it down.

Apple juice runs out the bottom;
it's collected into a clean,  plastic,  2 pint milk bottle
labelled and frozen.

These days,  very few windfalls end up in the compost heap.

IMHO freshly thawed fruit juice is far tastier than home-made wine.

[manicscousers]

couldn't agree more, clayhithe, we've presently got a freezer full, we're getting an apple press between us for christmas, is yours stainless or wooden ? :)

[calendula]

I've thought long and hard about getting a fruit press, done the research but managed to  talk myself out of it  :-\

anyone want to persuade me it's worth it - would appreciate point of view  :)

it's not so much the cost but more the fuss, cleaning etc when most of our fruit (and we have a lot) gets eaten fresh or frozen and cooked

[carolinej]

I'd love a fruit press too. They are a bit too expensive to justify at the mo, but when I do succumb, I was wondering whether to get one I could use as a cheese press too.

cj :)

[Clayhithe]

anyone want to persuade me it's worth it

Most of the windfalls are juiced;  we eat,  freeze and pie the rest.
We have 6 pints of apple juice,  and 2 pints of pear juice,  in the freezer already.
We expect to drink fresh (thawed) fruit juice all winter.

Wine is great,
but the Californians,  Australians and Kiwis do it so much better than I do.
Even the French do it better than I do.

You won't actually believe the taste until you try it.

[calendula]

thanks, I'm re-inventing my thoughts on this and will probably add to xmas wish list  ;D

what equipment do you use - I am thinking about a kitchen juicer that takes about 4kg and a crusher that operates with an electric drill so costs = approx £130, does that sound good

[Clayhithe]

Calendula,

Crushing apples and pears for juicing started out very difficult.
We crushed (pureed?) small amounts in the Kenwood,  but it was hard work.

We bought a crusher
the Pulpmaster http://www.vigopresses.co.uk/store/index.php?cPath=63_77
but that was hard work and very messy

Then I started to freeze them.
This breaks up the cell structure very thoroughly.
They are thawed in a sink of warm water,
washed,
quartered (and the rubbish cut out)
then dropped in the presser
and pressed.
Mine is hand cranked,  not electric
I use a 6 litre spindle press http://www.vigopresses.co.uk/store/index.php?cPath=63_78

I have a batch of pears
and a batch of apples in the freezer
which I'll press over the weekend,

and then post the pictures.

As a special tribute to AndyH
and a sign of my forgiving and generous nature
I'll try to size the pics properly.
No promises.

[calendula]

thanks, you are a star  :-*

why is the crusher so messy and hard - you'd think the electric drill would take the hard work out if it

I'm thinking of buying the 5.3 lt juicer so I can do it in the kitchen instead of outside in any old weather although I suppose the 6lt can be done indoors as well

appreciate any info you offer as I have now decided to go for this now - just needed a shove  ;D

look forward to the pics

[Clayhithe]

Attaching the Pulpmaster to the electric drill is easy.
Lining up the drill,  the stem,  the lid and the bucket is tricky.
When you switch the drill on
1   the apple bits spray out from under the lid
2   the crusher touches the side of the bucket,  and hurls it across the kitchen
3   the exposed,  whirling blade sprays crushed apple around the kitchen
4   the blade touches your (my) leg and sprays blood around the kitchen
5   most of the apples stay intact,  and need to be crushed again

I find freezing easier.
Or perhaps I'm really clumsy.

I've never used a juicer,  but it sounds perfect.

[calendula]

sorry but  ;D  ;D  ;D  ;D

sorry again but if it is ok to ask another question - can you use the 6 lt press inside (I actually meant I was thinking of the 5 lt press, not a juicer)

many thanks

[Clayhithe]

I'm hoping that these will take you to 2 slideshows in Photobucket:

Cross fingers:  click on the pictures.






The press lives in the shed,  in its plastic bag.
It's sterilized with boiling water outdoors,  before and after use.
All the pressing is done in the kitchen.

First picture to last picture:  65 minutes
Last picture to slideshow:     95 minutes




Patience,  AndyH
I get there in the end.

[calendula]

great pictures and so many thanks - I'm convinced, stuff the crusher and I'm buying the 6lt press - my only regret is that I didn't do it earlier - thanks again and I hope others might be inspired

[manicscousers]

too true, I'm glad I froze all the apples when we had so many  ;D

[manicscousers]

thanks, clayhithe, just bought an apple press, had the first taste today, what a difference to the shop bought stuff, I've about 40 odd pounds in the freezer, that'll do for a while  ;D
Ray says he compliments you on your slide show, very comprehensive  :)

[calendula]

me too I just bought mine but not arrived yet - apples in the freezer and still loads to pick and most of them will go straight in - busy collecting bottles/containers and planning various concoctions of apples/white currants, apples and red currants, apples and grapes maybe even some vegetable juices as well  ;D

[manicscousers]

I added the last of the raspberres to one lot, that was gorgeous  :)

[manicscousers]

ray's patented apple collection system  ;D
ignore the paintwork, we're in the middle of decorating  ;D

[calendula]

mine arrived today - yippee - I chose the heavy green metal and wooden slatted version, 6 litre

can't wait  ;D

[Clayhithe]

Wow 8)

I'm so glad it's working out.
We taste every batch as it presses,
then,  if you get a tainted apple,  you don't waste the whole lot.

Thank you,  Ray.
It's a very straightforward trick with Photobucket.