Scratter Build + pics - Mark 2

[jmc]

Previously I've just made TC with about 25% apples and 75% AJ.
The apples have been mushed-up in a food processor then included with AJ in a mash bag for about a month and pressed when I transfer to keg. Odd method I know but its suited me.

I want to make a few batches of cider this autumn of 100% apples from the locality so I made a scratter to make life a bit easier.

I decided to get an unused waste-disposal unit to do the apple grinding.
I was inspired by a video on Flikr: Garbage Disposal Scratting Apples

I initially looking for a 1.5 bowl sink to fit waste disposal unit, but they're relatively expensive, so I used a spare fridge shelf I had after making my kegerator.

The waste disposal unit just fitted in this and I could fit it to my bench / sink in the garage when I needed it.

Cutting hole in plastic fridge shelf

Test fit to bench


Beauty is this sort of waste disposal unit is in 2 parts.
1) SS waste / seals/ clamp parts fitted to 'sink'


2) Main waste-disposal unit



The main unit connects to top part by twisting onto angled clamp underneath 'sink'


with 'plug'

set up showing outflow to bucket to collect pomace.



A few days later I had a trial run.

I'd given side of bench 3 coats of varnish to make it less unsanitary.

Load

Resulting pomace after less that a minute


Pomace is great consistency, but with trial-run size there was quite a bit of waste due to pomace remaining in waste -disposal chamber and outlet pipe.

For real run I'll be doing bigger batches and will use shortest outlet pipe possible, so it won't be much of an issue.
I've read you can wash out remaining pulp with AJ you've pressed so I'll try that too.

Waste disposal unit not really designed to operate without running-water so its operating a bit dryer than normal.
It does have an in built overheating cut-out but I'd still limit scratting to 10 minutes on then 10 mins off.

Its fairly easy to clean too
Pour in 2L water to flush out most of remaining apple bits


Disconnect electricity then twist off main unit

Still quite a lot of bits after initial flush

Rinse out chamber and outlet section


I then connected it up again and poured through 3L of warm water while it was on, which seemed to remove any remaining tiny bits
After I was sure it was clean, disconnect again & drain

[wilsoa11111]

Cor, that be a nice build, esp great pictures and idea... how much does that kinda build cost btw???

[boingy]

A few cider heads I know use garden shredders for this purpose.

Not sure about the sanitary bit though. It seems that they can pulp apples with an only vaguely clean shredder, press them in a scabby ancient wooden press with muslin that has seen better days then end up with (allegedly) decent cider. I say allegedly because I can't stand the stuff.

[jmc]

Cor, that be a nice build, esp great pictures and idea... how much does that kinda build cost btw???

Cheers.

I was looking for a 'nearly new' waste disposal unit for a while and eventually found a local one I could pick up from ebay
Caple waste disposer


This was £39 and I had the spare shelf.

I didn't want to use a 2nd hand waste disposal unit

There are a few of these nearly new / box damaged ones on eBay.
With my one the owner had bought it & it didn't fit his IKEA sink.

A few cider heads I know use garden shredders for this purpose.

Not sure about the sanitary bit though. It seems that they can pulp apples with an only vaguely clean shredder, press them in a scabby ancient wooden press with muslin that has seen better days then end up with (allegedly) decent cider. I say allegedly because I can't stand the stuff.

I know quite a few use garden shredders, but I wanted to have something that I just used for cider making that hadn't been used before. I also think the pomace from waste disposal units is finer, so hopefully I'll get the most out of the apples I have.

[Ribbit]

That's really neat, well done.

To 'lube' it in use so it doesn't overheat, pour some apple juice down now and again (if doing lots, should be easy to fill a jug from the vessel catching the output).

To clean it through and sterilise it after use, maybe pour some cheap fizzy cider down it to flush it through (the cider line in a pub is one you never have to clean, because it cleans and sterilises itself with the cider passing through it) so you can use all the throughput, just put a jug underneath the output to recycle it until it is done, then finish off with some Camden tablet treated water (if there's stainless steel in there, don't use bleach - stainless and chlorine react badly, I managed to save a local from the rapid failure of an expensive roof over the new indoor swimming pool at his holiday cottages, because the architect had specified stainless fixings and fittings for it. Saved him quite a bit of money as well by supplying copper equivalents - with the architects blessing once he was aware of his mistake)?

[jmc]

Thought I'd better update this thread with modifications made and reasons why

I'd spent ages getting everything set up to do my first main run and then disaster struck.


After scratting about 1.5 kg of crab apples the waste-disposal unit (WDU) died dramatically.
It blew fuses in its plug and on the 13A one in extension it was running on.
I hadn't checked but previous owner had put a 13A fuse in WDU plus even though it was 1/2 HP ~ 375W so 3A should be fine.

I now think it was either faulty when I bought it, the power reset switch didn't feel right to me, or crab apples on their own were too dry. Not happy

I processed the apples I had prepared in a food processor and pressed them, but efficiency low with this method as bits are not mashed up enough, but at least I didn't waste the apples.

I tried waiting for power reset to work, but it was dead.
I decided to see if I could fix the waste disposal unit and so took it apart to get to electrics. After much faffing about I found the (easy) way to open up the base.



Test meter said that power reset module was dead and so was the diode bridge rectifier, that converts AC to DC for motor.


Luckily this was just a few quid on eBay form a UK source so I replaced this and was really pleased when on trial run it worked.


Other modifications were to
- Replace outlet with shorter pipe to make pomace flow easier
- Replace the WDU plug with a C14 female lead to make it easier to handle when cleaning.
- Fit a foot-switch to make it safer to operate This ran via a 3A fuse.



Pomace produced is very sloppy, which is great.
When filling into press juice runs off it before you start to press it.

[jmc]

Just an update on using scratter.
70L juice so far. Its working well.

Found it easier to scratt apples straight into press.
I cover press screw/thread with plastic hydrometer cover to keep it cleanish.

[fatbloke]

Top post and pic's. I was also thinking about doing this, but Bob, who runs WaH, recommended that it would just be easier for me to freeze and then thaw the apples, as they will go straight into the press and juice out directly.

As I'm too tight to go buying and building kit if I don't have too, I'm gonna just get a small freezer to try first......

[jmc]

Top post and pic's. I was also thinking about doing this, but Bob, who runs WaH, recommended that it would just be easier for me to freeze and then thaw the apples, as they will go straight into the press and juice out directly.

As I'm too tight to go buying and building kit if I don't have too, I'm gonna just get a small freezer to try first......

Thanks for your post.

I was given a fair amount of windfalls and so I needed remove rot & bad worm damage.
Would you do that prior to freezing?

What sort of volume are you thinking of doing this way?
Be interested to hear how you get on with freezing, i.e. what sort of efficiency you get and whether there's any change to taste.

Cheers, John

[jonewer]

I had a bash with a garden shredder and it seemed to work quite well but was a lot of PT.

I may try and freeze them next time. Does anyone know if freezing has an effect on the quality of the must? May be it does something to the tannins?

Thanks.