:)
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likesbeer
Re: Cider - Harvest 2010
Well done for starting an excellent topic, I've made cider for the last two years and will be again this year.
I thought my 100 litre ish batch was a decent amount but sounds like nothing compared to yours ;o)
The source of my apples are freebies from asking around, 1 friend has 3 tree's my brother has 1, I have 1, a neighbout with 2 etc etc so expect a qty increase this year (not sure when there going to be ready as some are looking close now but previous years its been a few weeks later than this and I wont have time until end Sept ish to do it so hope they last till then). All apple varieties are unknown with the exception of a few cookers, which I limited to about 15% last year and didnt cause an issue. To make up for lack of cider apples I go for as many varieties as possible and hope for the best. Last years was very popular so cant have been bad.
I've also managed to aquire a better press this year, not as big as yours but recon I could press 20-30kg in one go. What I dont have is a decent scratter, first year was bash with a bit of 4"x2" that was hard, tried a batch with a pulp master ok for a small amount but not much cop either, last year I tried an industrial juicer again pain in the neck kept clogging and still needed some apples chopping to fit in (nearly lost the end of a finger with the knife ;o(
So I'm thinking this year I need a garden shredder, so would appreciate if anyone knows a good one for shredding apples, importantly it cant cost a fortune as have spent a fair amount on the AG set up and a couple of cornies to serve from ;o) so the boss will kill me for a once a year piece of kit.
Planing to do a small starter and not use anything other than the apples no yeast either, last year was nothing added but some yeast and it was great so this year I'm leaving it to do its own thing
I thought my 100 litre ish batch was a decent amount but sounds like nothing compared to yours ;o)
The source of my apples are freebies from asking around, 1 friend has 3 tree's my brother has 1, I have 1, a neighbout with 2 etc etc so expect a qty increase this year (not sure when there going to be ready as some are looking close now but previous years its been a few weeks later than this and I wont have time until end Sept ish to do it so hope they last till then). All apple varieties are unknown with the exception of a few cookers, which I limited to about 15% last year and didnt cause an issue. To make up for lack of cider apples I go for as many varieties as possible and hope for the best. Last years was very popular so cant have been bad.
I've also managed to aquire a better press this year, not as big as yours but recon I could press 20-30kg in one go. What I dont have is a decent scratter, first year was bash with a bit of 4"x2" that was hard, tried a batch with a pulp master ok for a small amount but not much cop either, last year I tried an industrial juicer again pain in the neck kept clogging and still needed some apples chopping to fit in (nearly lost the end of a finger with the knife ;o(
So I'm thinking this year I need a garden shredder, so would appreciate if anyone knows a good one for shredding apples, importantly it cant cost a fortune as have spent a fair amount on the AG set up and a couple of cornies to serve from ;o) so the boss will kill me for a once a year piece of kit.
Planing to do a small starter and not use anything other than the apples no yeast either, last year was nothing added but some yeast and it was great so this year I'm leaving it to do its own thing
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pokerswazi
Re: Cider - Harvest 2010
Nice thread and some superb equipment on display too. I made a basic press last year, a car jack thingy. If I posted pictures of my cider making there would be howls of laughter. Last years attempt was a complete failure which resulted in not one drop of drinkable cider. It's been a long time waiting for attempt number 2.
Re: Cider - Harvest 2010
I'll post pics up later. Looks like I'm doing it on a far smaller scale than you guys. I'm using just my trusty juicer to obtain the juice and then this juice gets filtered. Still got a way to go as it's taking much longer than I had planned. I just couldn't justify spending money on things that will only get used once a year.
Now with my juicer I can juice all sorts and ferment crazy concoctions.
Now with my juicer I can juice all sorts and ferment crazy concoctions.
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DREADSKIN1
Re: Cider - Harvest 2010
should work this time:
first draft:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id= ... =648270312
second draft:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id= ... =648270312
hope this works this time.
make friends with drummers people!
first draft:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id= ... =648270312
second draft:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id= ... =648270312
hope this works this time.
make friends with drummers people!
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richie
Re: Cider - Harvest 2010
hi, am new to brewing so total newbie, a few beginner questions to get me going
1. will any types of apples do, as in a mix of sweet and sour ?
2 at what stage do you start sterilizing, eg do i need to sterilize the container that i press the juice into? the press? the shredder?
3 best time to gather apples?
4 is it ok to use apples that are bruised?
5 is it possible to brew in larger plastic containers or better to go for glass demijons
thanks for help
1. will any types of apples do, as in a mix of sweet and sour ?
2 at what stage do you start sterilizing, eg do i need to sterilize the container that i press the juice into? the press? the shredder?
3 best time to gather apples?
4 is it ok to use apples that are bruised?
5 is it possible to brew in larger plastic containers or better to go for glass demijons
thanks for help
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likesbeer
Re: Cider - Harvest 2010
Richie,
1. Use what you have available a good mix of apples will give a better result (IMHO) or has done for me I dont have access to cider apples so a mix of eaters, sweet bitter etc and even a handful of cookers.
2. Make sure everything you use is clean but I gave up using any chemicals sodium met as it makes a difference (I think).
3. They'll come off the tree easily when plucked and depends on the type as to when they are ripe, could be a couple more weeks for some. Quite a lot will also have dropped off as well, so if its animal free its also OK to use as trunky said.
4. Bruised are OK but not to much, no rotten or mildew covered as that will no doubt cause an issue.
5. I use big plastic buckets no issue, after a month of initial fermenting I'll rack off into a clean bucket and put under air lock if its a bucket you can still drill a hole in the lid and add an airlock. I'll then forget about it for a couple of months before putting into something to serve from (barrel, polypin, bottles plastic or glass).
Good luck and hope you enjoy its hard work but worth the effort, I thought my last years 100 litre was going to last the year but no chance friends and family enjoy it and end up wanting some so it dissapears quick. Best value home brew drink I reckon, apples are usually free most of the kit is for making beer so for a small investment of crushing and pressing its an almost free drink ;o)
1. Use what you have available a good mix of apples will give a better result (IMHO) or has done for me I dont have access to cider apples so a mix of eaters, sweet bitter etc and even a handful of cookers.
2. Make sure everything you use is clean but I gave up using any chemicals sodium met as it makes a difference (I think).
3. They'll come off the tree easily when plucked and depends on the type as to when they are ripe, could be a couple more weeks for some. Quite a lot will also have dropped off as well, so if its animal free its also OK to use as trunky said.
4. Bruised are OK but not to much, no rotten or mildew covered as that will no doubt cause an issue.
5. I use big plastic buckets no issue, after a month of initial fermenting I'll rack off into a clean bucket and put under air lock if its a bucket you can still drill a hole in the lid and add an airlock. I'll then forget about it for a couple of months before putting into something to serve from (barrel, polypin, bottles plastic or glass).
Good luck and hope you enjoy its hard work but worth the effort, I thought my last years 100 litre was going to last the year but no chance friends and family enjoy it and end up wanting some so it dissapears quick. Best value home brew drink I reckon, apples are usually free most of the kit is for making beer so for a small investment of crushing and pressing its an almost free drink ;o)
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likesbeer
Re: Cider - Harvest 2010
I'm very jelous of your set up, plus access to proper cider apples. Although I've got to say what I made last year was really good.
I would love to get a proper scratter but they are way to expensive cheapest I've found was around £400 or a little more even.
So thinking of getting a garden shredder any recomendations on a type which is OK or a cheap source for one?
Unfortunatly I'm off on holiday this weekend so will start making cider when I get back, going to start with getting 5 or 10 litres on the go as a starter and I'm not planning to add anything, yeast sodium met etc etc.
I would love to get a proper scratter but they are way to expensive cheapest I've found was around £400 or a little more even.
So thinking of getting a garden shredder any recomendations on a type which is OK or a cheap source for one?
I know what you mean about barbies and parties, I would like to step up the quantitiy this year if I can shred better. I've done 4 batches of beer since the end of June (not including the duff one) and I never seem to have any beer and have practically nothing now, plus leftovers from the beer festival. I dont know where it goes, I dont think I'm at home getting trollied every night ;o)Trunky wrote: It sounds a lot, but I do live in cider country where most people ike a drop of cider and that cider will have to last a years worth of barbies and parties.
Unfortunatly I'm off on holiday this weekend so will start making cider when I get back, going to start with getting 5 or 10 litres on the go as a starter and I'm not planning to add anything, yeast sodium met etc etc.
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richie
Re: Cider - Harvest 2010
great advice lads, thanks. I cant wait to start .
One more question, yeast, do i add it or is it naturally occuring, if not do i order 'cider' yeast or will brewing/baking do.
Do i add the yeast into juice once pressed.
Am currenthy making up a press- car jack/timber frame/plastic bucket thingy, hope it works.
any advice on a home made scratter, have loads of drills and tools so that end isnt a problem. Was thinking drill with large propeller thingy on end of shaft, kind of like a large hand held blender. good idea or bad?
thanks
richie
One more question, yeast, do i add it or is it naturally occuring, if not do i order 'cider' yeast or will brewing/baking do.
Do i add the yeast into juice once pressed.
Am currenthy making up a press- car jack/timber frame/plastic bucket thingy, hope it works.
any advice on a home made scratter, have loads of drills and tools so that end isnt a problem. Was thinking drill with large propeller thingy on end of shaft, kind of like a large hand held blender. good idea or bad?
thanks
richie