[Alastair-I]

A pleasant afternoon of DIY, the result of which..



The Mk1 Scumble Press

Should be pressing apples for juice and cider next weekend..

[arugula]

Interesting. What are you using to apply the weight/pressure needed to squeeze the apple juice out?

 

[Alastair-I]

Not in the picture is a 3-tonne bottle-jack to apply the pressure.  With the current set-up I need to add a semi-permanent packer below the top-bar to drop within the movement range of the jack, but I want to keep the maximum head-height in case I later switch to a barrel style pressing vessel.  I'd quite like a small washing machine drum (or something of that style) if I can find one about 18" diameter.  If not, I'll look for a steel stock pot in charity shops and drill out drainage holes.

I'll probably replace the spout, a quick test has shown it sits a little high, so a floor-mounted drain will probably go into the cheese-board (I'm making up terms for the bits, I'm sure there are proper ones).

I've added descriptive notes to the image on Flickr, if you click-through the image and roll your mouse over it the notes should appear.

[arugula]

Sounds good. 

[Kleftiwallah]

Great minds, etc.


Lick of paint and I'll be there with the crabby apples.     Cheers,     Tony.

[Alastair-I]

Looking good Tony, are you packing on-top of the plunger or between the jack and the riser?

[Paul Plots]

I once saw a press similar to yours in the art department of a local secondary school. I think they used it for  lino-prints or something similar.

Posh job yours! 

[Alastair-I]

30+ litres pressed over the weekend.. and another delivery of apples from a friend has arrived ready for this weekend.

There's nothing quite like home-pressed apple juice straight from the press!

[Paul Plots]

30+ litres pressed over the weekend.. and another delivery of apples from a friend has arrived ready for this weekend.

There's nothing quite like home-pressed apple juice straight from the press!

All you need to do now is design and print the labels then it's off to the local farmers market 

[Fen]

Alastair,
I made a similar press last year but used a barrel made by local blacksmith (oak with iron bands)

Pressure needed to get the juice out of sliced apples in the barrel was such that the bolts holding the sides of the press together bent. I had to fill in the gaps in the wooden sides with more timber to keep the thing together.
If I made another one I wouldn't bother with a barrel, your type seems better,
.
Sorry don't have any photos, - moved and gave it away!
Well done!

[Alastair-I]

Thanks Fen.  I've seen the barrel designs, and I was wondering about a small washing machine drum if I went that route.  The open plate plan using an old pillow case to hold the cheese works very well.  I need a stronger top plate under the bottle jack though.. I've snapped the first one whilst cranking on the pressure.

Since I took the photo I've plugged the hole the spout came through and drilled a drain hole in the lower plate.  This is much more effective.  I'll have sketch-up plans of the design available to share soon.

[Alastair-I]

Update..

I'd like to think that the cider produced from the scumble press will improve with age, but I'm down to the last 8 pints and that's not likely to get much chance to mature further.. ..  the apple juice lastes a couple of months with only one going slightly over..

Definitely doing this again.. and anyone in the West Norfolk area with an apple tree.. just shout when it gets to harvest..

[sunshineband]

Glad it has been such a resoundng success 


Generous offer, too 

[Squibbs]

I'm at this very moment drinking cider from October 2010 - I'm the only one that drinks it - so am getting through it slowly - its definitely better with age - more rounded, smoother and still very alcoholic!