Using a Double Barrel Cider Press

For my birthday last year, Lucas got me a double barrel cider press from a “local” auction house.

After driving 2 hours, we show up to the auction house, pay the man, and attempt to shove more than 200-pound press into the back of our mid-size SUV. The trunk door closed with centimeters to spare.

Our original intent for the press was to make homemade hard cider (details on how we do that at a different time). But I forgot just how good regular ol’ cider is. Fresh for the week or canned for later. Warmed up on the stove with cloves and some orange slices.

It’ll warm you up through fall all the way to the end of winter.

Sidenote: here’s a little clarification for you

Cider = unfiltered apple juice

Apple Juice = filtered apple juice

Hard Cider = fermented, unfiltered apple juice

I know cider presses aren’t just around every corner. But if you ever have the opportunity to use one, you’ll be ready! Or if you’re local to our town, you’re more than welcome to use ours anytime.

Supplies:

Here’s how we use our double barrel cider press:

1. Fill up 3 large plastic totes. 1 with produce wash, 1 for cleaning, 1 for final rinsing.
2. Put apples in produce wash, swish (very official term) apples around. Transfer to 1st rinse bucket, swish around again. Transfer to last bucket, swish one more time.
3. Fit pressing barrel with pressing bags, add bucket to base of press to catch the cider.
4. Start crushing some apples! Toss in several at a time, turning the wheel constantly. (Check to make sure the barrel is in the right spot, catching all the crushed apples.)
5. Once the barrel is 3/4 of the way full, slide it down to the press.
6. Twist the handle until you meet a lot of resistance. Let it set for a few minutes and then try turning it again. Double check to make sure your cider-catching bucket is in the right spot and catching all that delicious cider!
7. Use a funnel to transfer cider* from the bucket to a storage container.

*the cider will have a shelf-life of about 2 weeks if it’s kept in the fridge

Have you ever had the opportunity to use a cider press?

Our first time using one was at our local farmers market, so check there first if you’ve never used one but want to!

Thanks for being here,

Regan