Home Made Cider update apple or grape crusher

[Smart Red]

I have never made cider so anything I say should not be used against me.

I remember the boy scouts selling cider that they had made. They picked up windfalls to make the cider. To me that implies the best apples for cider are those that are over ripe and already on the mushy side.

Those prime eating/pie apples you bought for cider may have been the worst apples (at that time) for making cider. Any chance you spoke to the apple orchard people about your intentions? I would think they should have been able to point you in the correct direction for fantabulous cider squeez'ns.

On the other hand, I may be way out in left field with this answer. That's okay, I can't play baseball either.

 

[Nyboy]

Red I think your right about over ripe mushy apples. The orchard was a mad house Sunday, glad I made everyone get up early.

 

[Nyboy]

 

[Nyboy]

Friend emailed me photo from Sun. Anything jumping out as wrong?

 

[bobm]

Did the press " fingers" or "auger " turn freely or got stuck on the apples due to too many hard apples in holding bin ? I know for a fact that when I grind grain in a mill that too much grain in the bin will cause the "auger " to stop turning, but the moter is running and could overheat and short out.

 

[NwMtGardener]

I agree with Bob, too many apples. A "pusher" would help - cut a scrap piece of wood so it fits down inside, small enough to get CLOSE to the auger but not so small it will get grated by it. Put some apples in and use the wood pusher to force them into the auger.

 

[Nyboy]

The auger turned freely, we started out with only a few apples, kept adding more. Used lots of different thing to try and push threw. nothing worked. Now sitting in bottom of pond, hope I don't find fish and frogs floating.

 

[Nyboy]

The wooden spoon is very flat and thin, thinking maybe for grapes, that are softer then apples.

 

[Carol Dee]

I just had an idea!
Do you have a meat grinder you could run the apples through and then press?

 

[Nyboy]

I have one LOL never thought to use