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Whizbang Apple Grinder Tops Are Now Available!
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If you want some help with making your Whizbang cider press, you’re at the right place. I make and sell some (but not all) of the parts you need. Specifically, I sell HDPE (food-grade plastic) tub hoop kits, HDPE bottom pans, HDPE pressing discs, and HDPE pressure plates. I've also just added HDPE grinder tops to the list (at bottom of this page).
However, since publishing the plan book, I have decided not to sell the drain racks because I’ve come to the conclusion that a drain rack is an unnecessary expense, especially if you use my “new and improved” (and highly recommended) cidermaking approach which is fully explained in this online essay: New Techniques For Whizbang Cider Making.
Most people are going to want to purchase the HDPE tub hoops, so I will provide full details on the two tub hoop options first. Then, further down this page, I will provide full details about the other parts. You can use the PayPal buttons provided here for ordering. Or simply send a check or money order to: Whizbang Books, P.O. Box 1117, Moravia, N.Y. 13118
Whizbang Cider Press Tub Hoop Kit
1/8” thick HDPE plastic is an excellent material for making your cider press tub hoops. The material is strong, will not rust, and is considered safe for food contact. The hoop kit I’m selling here (pictured above) makes assembly of your pressing tub very easy. That’s because I’ve gone to the trouble of cutting the two HDPE hoops and two cleat pieces (as shown on pages 36-38 of my plan book) to precise length. Then I’ve made all the screw holes in each hoop and cleat right where they need to be. And I’ve also included all the stainless steel panhead screws you need to attach the hoops to the tub staves.
Note: Please be aware that the hoop length and hole spacing tolerances are plus or minus 1/16”, which is precise enough for the purpose of making your pressing tub. Also, before purchasing this kit, be sure to read the aforementioned new cidermaking approach discussed at this link: New Techniques For Whizbang Cider Making
AVAILABILITY: In stock & ready to ship
PRICE: $24.95 (this price includes Priority Mail shipping)
HDPE Hoop Material With Screws
For those of you who want to do more of the work yourself and save a few bucks, I offer “raw” HDPE hoop material and stainless steel panhead screws. The hoop and cleat material is longer than needed, so you have to measure and cut it to precise length. Then you mark out placement of the 60 screw holes and drill them with a 1/8” drill bit. Instructions for the measuring and drilling are provided on page 36 of my plan book, and I also include some additional helpful instructions with the hoop material.
AVAILABILITY: In stock & ready to ship
PRICE: $18.95 (this price includes Priority Mail shipping)
Here's a picture of what the HDPE hoops I sell here look like on a completed pressing tub:
About the Whizbang HDPE Pressing Parts I Sell
Wood, sealed with several layers of polyurethane finish, is an acceptable material for making the parts of your cider press that will be in contact with apple mash and cider. This is discussed on page 40 of the plan book. But HDPE plastic is an exceptional material for the job. I use these HDPE parts on my press.
The beauty of HDPE is that it is dense, homogenous, impervious to water, and is rated as “food safe.” Beyond that, the plastic is easy to clean and, because it’s white, you can see that it is truly clean when you wash it. HDPE is used to make everything from ballistic plates to restaurant cutting boards. HDPE will scuff a bit in normal use and it will scratch and dent if you abuse it, but such abuse is to be expected and it does not detract from the practical usefulness of the product.
The bottom line here is that HDPE cider press parts are made to last and will provide you with trouble-free service for the rest of your life.
The only real problem with HDPE is that it is far more expensive than wood. That probably explains why no other home-scale cider press on the market utilizes HDPE pressing components. But the basic Whizbang press design is so simple and inexpensive to make that you can outfit it with the top quality HDPE press parts I sell here and it will still cost you less money than one of those brand new conventional-style presses. What’s more, whether you realize it or not, the Whizbang press far exceeds any other home press on the market when it comes to easy, efficient cider production. Therefore, the Whizbang press, outfitted with HDPE pressing parts, is an exceptional value.
Another nice thing about these HDPE parts I make is that they are all made and ready to use right out of the box. I save you the time and trouble of making the parts yourself. No mess, no fuss. Also, all prices here INCLUDE the cost of UPS shipping. anywhere in the “lower 48” US states. Or you could think of it like this: shipping is FREE. Now let me tell you about the parts. Keep in mind that individual parts are much more expensive than the “package deals,” which are listed further down this page.
Pressing Discs (Set of Four)
These pressing discs are 13-11/16” diameter with a finger hole, just like shown on page 42 of the plan book. They are 1/2” thick. The best way to utilize the pressing discs is with individual pressing bags, as shown in this Whizbang Cider photo essay.
AVAILABILITY: In stock & ready to ship
PRICE: $95.00 (this price includes UPS Ground shipping)
Pressure Plate
This pressure plate is a full 3/4” thick and the diameter matches that of the pressing discs. The curb, sized to accommodate your 2x6 pressing shaft, is assembled and attached to the pressing plate with stainless steel screws. All joints are sealed with a top-quality silicone sealant.
AVAILABILITY: In stock & ready to ship
PRICE: $70.00 (this price includes UPS Ground shipping)
Bottom Pan
This rugged bottom pan has 1/2” HDPE on the bottom and the 1-5/8” high curb sides are 3/4” HDPE. Outside diameter is 17-1/2” x 17-1/2” as the plan book specifies. All joints in the pan are silicone sealed and stainless steel screws hold it all together. The drain hole is drilled along one side, as it should be.
AVAILABILITY: In stock & ready to ship
PRICE: $90.00 (this price includes UPS Ground shipping)
Whizbang Cider Press Parts Package Deals
When you purchase cider press parts together, it costs me less to package and ship those parts. It’s also less work for me. So I can pass on some savings to you. And the savings can be significant. Check out these package deals....
Package Deal #1
The Whole Shebang
This package deal includes the pre-drilled HDPE tub hoops kit ($24.95 value), the HDPE pressure plate ($70.00value), the set of four HDPE pressing discs ($95.00 value), and the bottom pan ($90.00 value). Purchased individually, these parts would cost you $279.95. But with this package deal, you’ll save $49.95.
AVAILABILITY: In stock & ready to ship
PRICE: $230.00 (this price includes UPS Ground shipping)
Package Deal #2
This package deal includes the HDPE pressure plate ($70.00value), the set of four HDPE pressing discs ($95.00 value), and the bottom pan ($90.00 value). Purchased individually, these parts would cost you $255.00. But with this package deal, you’ll save $45.00.
AVAILABILITY: In stock & ready to ship
PRICE: $210.00 (this price includes UPS Ground shipping)
Package Deal #3
This package deal includes the HDPE pressure plate ($70.00value) and the set of four HDPE pressing discs ($95.00 value). Purchased individually, these parts would cost you $165.00 But with this package deal, you’ll save $20.00.
AVAILABILITY: In stock & ready to ship
PRICE: $145.00 (this price includes UPS Ground shipping)
Grinder Tops
These grinder tops I'm selling here are 3/4" HDPE food-grade plastic. They measure 18" by 18" square (as called for in the plan book) and have a hole in the center for the disposal flange (the flange is not included with the top—you have to supply your own). The hole is 4" diameter with a 4-1/2" flange recess around the perimeter, as you can see in the pictures below.
AVAILABILITY: In stock & ready to ship
PRICE: $74.00 (this price includes UPS Ground shipping)
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