Other Homemade Grinders and Presses on the Internet

My Whizbang cidermaking system is not the only way to make cider. And I don't claim it is superior to all other cidermaking approaches (but it sure is superior to most I've seen). Therefore, in the interest of good cidermaking disclosure, I want to introduce you to as many other homemade cidermaking ideas as I can, and that is why I'm providing you with the following internet links. I encourage you to see and read about how these other folks are making their own cider. In the end, you may decide not to build a Whizbang Apple Grinder & Cider Press, or you may come up with some sort of a Whizbang hybrid system. That's okay. The important thing is that, one way or the other, you make your own cider! I welcome the addition of other such links (please send them to hckimball@bci.net and I will get them posted here).


Positron Cider 2005
These folks resurrected an old apple grinder and press to make cider in 2005. Of particular interest to me is the picture of the pressed pomace. It is a very coarse grind. Also, I found this observation insightful: “...some types of apple, like Foxwhelp, unleashed a veritable river of juice when pressed while some types only reluctantly produced a miserly trickle.”



Positron Cider 2006
The same people as in the previous essay made cider again in 2006. They utilized a garbage disposal as an apple grinder. To keep the grinder from overheating, they ran compressed air into the motor (if you have compressed air, that would be cheaper and easier than my Whizbang approach). They also made their own screw press and instead of a pressing tub, they used the rack & cloth approach. Check out the picture at the link showing the rack & cloth tilting out of alignment as the pressure is put to it. I like the rack & cloth idea but that’s the same problem I had when I once made a small rack & cloth press.



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Don Yellman of Great Falls, Virginia posted the following excerpts in an internet fruit forum. Perhaps Don is the man who "invented" the idea of using a food waste disposal to grind apples:

"For the past five years I have used a kitchen garbage disposal mounted in a small table to grind my apples. This is not a traditional method. Our forefathers and foremothers did not have garbage disposals. However, it works beautifully. The apples go through there like greased lightning, and the pomace is smooth and eminently pressable. Apples do have to be cut at least in half to fit the throat of the disposal, but I find that the speed of grinding and improved juice yield more than compensates for this inconvenience. The disposal is quite an inexpensive system to build, and you can grind 20 bu./day with no problem. More if you are in a hurry and have some help. I have never seen a better system for the small-scale cidermaker."

"The difference between a garbage disposal and any type of toothed grinder is that the disposal produces slurry, with the juice cells already broken up, while a toothed grinder produces chunks. Even a well-engineered toothed grinder like Claude's will turn out chunks, although they might be smaller chunks. A garbage disposal is essentially a miniature hammermill. Slurry will always give you a higher juice yield."

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You will like this Pedal Powered Apple Grinder

And here's More About The Pedal Powered Apple Grinder



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This rack and cloth press looks like it might be better than most. Check out all the cider jugs in the background. (By the way, the Whizbang cider press design will accomodate a rack & cloth "cheese" like is shown in the picture)
Pete & Ben's Rack & Cloth Press



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Speaking of rack & cloth presses, be sure to check out Ray's Homemade Cider Press over in the UK. That link has a lot of very good information. For example, Ray uses sheer curtain material as a fabric filter. That's a great idea! And when I see his built-up cheeses, I'm tempted to try the rack & cloth approach again. Ray started with no racks (as the photo below shows) and now uses HDPE racks. Very nice.




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This guy built a “killer apple grinder” using a garbage disposal. He mounted the disposal in the bottom of a large stainless steel bowl. Very clever.
Killer Apple Grinder

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Apple Grinders are "scratters" in the UK. Here is a link telling how to make a Homemade Scratter

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Here’s a good discussion about homemade apple grinders:
Apple Grinder Discussion

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This fellow made his own apple grinder and cider press with an investment of only $18. Check out the results: $18 Cidermaking System

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Home preparation of Juices, Wines and Cider From The Canadian Dept. of Agriculture (1975)

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This takes the cake.... An apple juicer made with 50 table saw blades. It shoots the mash into a centrifugal juice extractor. I like the idea of using a centrifuge with the very finely ground mash that comes out of the garbage disposal grinder. And check out the cherry juice this man made!
Amazing Saw Blade Apple Grinder