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If you’re a homebrewer and love making your own cider, you might be thinking about investing in a cider press. However, these can be quite expensive! Luckily, it’s relatively easy to make your own cider press with a few basic materials and a little bit of know-how. In this blog post, we’ll take you through the steps to create your own cider press from scratch.

Materials Needed

The first step in creating your own cider press is to gather the materials you’ll need. Thankfully, these aren’t too hard to come by, and you might even have some of them lying around your garage or workshop already. Here’s what you’ll need:

Wooden Frame

The first thing you’ll need is a wooden frame. This can be made from any type of wood, but hardwoods like oak or maple are ideal as they’re strong and durable. The frame should be rectangular and large enough to hold the other components of your cider press.

Pressing Plate

The next thing you’ll need is a pressing plate. This is a large, flat piece of wood that will be used to press down on the apples to extract the juice. You’ll want to make sure the pressing plate is slightly larger than the size of the frame.

Screw Jack

To apply pressure to the pressing plate, you’ll need a screw jack. This is a device that can be turned to apply pressure and lift the pressing plate up and down. You can find these at hardware stores.

Mesh Bag

Finally, you’ll need a mesh bag to hold the apples during the pressing process. A nylon paint strainer bag works well and can be found at most hardware stores.

Building Your Cider Press

Now that you’ve gathered your materials, it’s time to start building your cider press. This process is relatively straightforward and doesn’t require any specialized tools or knowledge.

Step 1: Assemble the Frame

Using your hardwood planks, assemble the frame of your cider press. Screw the planks together to form a rectangle, making sure the corners are square.

Step 2: Add the Pressing Plate

Next, you’ll need to attach the pressing plate to the bottom of the frame. You can do this by screwing it into the sides of the frame.

Step 3: Attach the Screw Jack

Attach the screw jack to the top of the frame, making sure it’s centered over the pressing plate. Screw it in tightly and make sure it’s securely fastened.

Step 4: Install the Mesh Bag

Finally, install the mesh bag by placing it over the pressing plate. You can secure it in place with bungee cords or clamps.

Using Your Cider Press

Congratulations – you’ve now built your own cider press! To use it, simply place your apples in the mesh bag and lower the pressing plate on top of them using the screw jack. Turn the screw jack to apply pressure and extract the juice from the apples.

Caring for Your Cider Press

To keep your cider press in good condition, you’ll want to clean it thoroughly after each use. Use warm, soapy water to clean the mesh bag and the pressing plate, and dry everything thoroughly before storing it away.

Conclusion

Creating your own cider press is a fun and easy project for any homebrewer. By following the simple steps outlined above, you can build a cider press that will last for years and produce delicious cider every time. So why not give it a try next time you’re in the mood for some homemade cider?
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