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Make your own cider - easy.
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Post new topic   Reply to topic    Downsizer Forum Index -> Recipes, Preserving, Homebrewing
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Foghorn



Joined: 23 Nov 2004
Posts: 49
Location: Barcombe, E Sussex
PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 05 10:47 pm    Post subject: Make your own cider - easy. Reply with quote
    

I thought I would report back on my cider making efforts, having just completed the process. I say "efforts", but the beauty of this method is that there was very little effort involved at all.

I collected up the apples from my tree last autumn - about 3 or 4 bin-liners full. I'm not sure what variety, but tasted like a fairly bland cooker, not too sharp. No good for eating. I then took them along to a local farm shop and had them pressed and the juice put into a barrel. The apples weren't washed, I should add, to retain the wild yeast.

I fitted an airlock and left the barrel in the shed for 6 months. After this time, I drew off the liquid, washed the barrel out and then returned the liquid to the barrel. The resulting brew is flat, cloudy, dry cider, and really tastes quite good.

A great way of disposing of waste apples and producing your own 100% natural cider for minimal cost (�8 for pressing, �15 to buy the barrel) and effort. Go on, try it! (If you don't like cider, then just use it as apple juice instead, freezing for storage).

Lloyd



Joined: 24 Jan 2005
Posts: 2699

PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 05 11:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

That sounds very interesting. Have you tested with a hydrometer?...If not, do you plan to do so? ...I just need to find a local cider press. Shouldn't be hard, methinks.

Tristan



Joined: 29 Dec 2004
Posts: 392
Location: North Gloucestershire
PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 05 11:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Machinemarts latest catalogue has one for �90 ish, dunno if it's any good though.

Lloyd



Joined: 24 Jan 2005
Posts: 2699

PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 05 11:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Has one what, Tris?

Tristan



Joined: 29 Dec 2004
Posts: 392
Location: North Gloucestershire
PostPosted: Tue Mar 15, 05 12:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Sorry, being clear as mud again. A fruit press.

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/product.asp?p=080510310

Foghorn



Joined: 23 Nov 2004
Posts: 49
Location: Barcombe, E Sussex
PostPosted: Tue Mar 15, 05 12:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

The hydrometer reading I took at the end of the process came out as 0.999 - I'm not sure quite what this means, or whether I should have had measured it pre-fermentation.

I'm lucky to live near the national cider centre in East Sussex, which is where I got the apples pressed.

Lloyd



Joined: 24 Jan 2005
Posts: 2699

PostPosted: Tue Mar 15, 05 12:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Nice one, thanks mate. I'll order one before Autumn!.....Perfect.

Tristan



Joined: 29 Dec 2004
Posts: 392
Location: North Gloucestershire
PostPosted: Tue Mar 15, 05 12:07 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Don't forget the barrel and rat though!

Lloyd



Joined: 24 Jan 2005
Posts: 2699

PostPosted: Tue Mar 15, 05 12:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Thanks both, it's food for thought, and I've saved the id of the press manufacturers as well. Happy drinking later!

Lloyd



Joined: 24 Jan 2005
Posts: 2699

PostPosted: Tue Mar 15, 05 12:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

rat?

Gertie



Joined: 08 Jan 2005
Posts: 1638
Location: Yorkshire
PostPosted: Tue Mar 15, 05 12:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I'll second that - rat?

Don't mention rats to Madman - he blasts them between the eyes

Gertie



Joined: 08 Jan 2005
Posts: 1638
Location: Yorkshire
PostPosted: Tue Mar 15, 05 12:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Just come across an interesting ad in the Ascott catalogue (www.ascott.biz).

They sell the presses from �99 - but here's something that would suit you d.i.y. buffs:

Pulpmaster - �18.99 - simple but effective fruit-crushing tool, which is used in conjunction with an electric drill suitable for the smaller garden or for those who wish to press relatively modest amounts of juice on an occasional basis (DP136 ref).

Tristan



Joined: 29 Dec 2004
Posts: 392
Location: North Gloucestershire
PostPosted: Tue Mar 15, 05 12:39 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Rat fits in bunghole of barrel, once rat rots away cider is ready.

Old Herefordian tradition (or old wives tale)

Guess that's one way to give it body!

cab



Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

PostPosted: Tue Mar 15, 05 9:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Foghorn wrote:
The hydrometer reading I took at the end of the process came out as 0.999 - I'm not sure quite what this means, or whether I should have had measured it pre-fermentation.

I'm lucky to live near the national cider centre in East Sussex, which is where I got the apples pressed.


Hydrometer readings are great for determining alcohol content, but you need a 'before and after'.

Jema wrote a handy little article on how to use a hydrometer:
https://www.downsizer.net/Projects/Home_Brewing/The_Hydrometer/

thos



Joined: 08 Mar 2005
Posts: 1139
Location: Jauche, Duchy of Brabant (Bourgogne-ci) and Charolles, Duchy of Burgundy (Bourgogne-�a)
PostPosted: Tue Mar 15, 05 9:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Foghorn wrote:
The hydrometer reading I took at the end of the process came out as 0.999 - I'm not sure quite what this means, or whether I should have had measured it pre-fermentation.

I'm lucky to live near the national cider centre in East Sussex, which is where I got the apples pressed.


The decrease in the reading before and after fermentation enables you to calculate the alcohol content (although I can't remember the formula it is quite simple). The cider centre should be able to tell you.

The final reading is an indicator of the residual sweetness after the yeast has been killed by the alcohol. A reading of less than unity indicates that all the sugar has been or will soon be fermented out.

If fermentation stops with a reading of 1.2 you have a problem. Either the brew is too strong or it was short of nutrients for the yeast.

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