 Press Descriptions
Listed below are the five sizes now offered. Standard and Heirloom models are offered. Standard models include some exterior plywood. Heirloom presses are solid hardwood throughout. Both standard and Heirloom presses are ash.
- Junior Cider Gem
Standard weighs about 100 pounds; Heirloom about 140 pounds. (Weight will vary on all presses offered.) All presses come with two baskets and are mounted on wheels at no extra cost. Junior comes with 6 inch wheels, a 4" shredder with a 1/4 hp motor, and measures overall about 42 inches long, 35 inches high, and 23 inches wide. Junior baskets are 10 inches high, and 7 1/2 inches ID. Expect two to three quarts per squeeze. ACME pressing screw shaft is 1 inch.
- Medium
Standard weighs about 135 pounds, Heirloom about 160 pounds. Overall length is 48", 39" high and 25" wide. Baskets are 12" high, 8 1/4" ID, holds three gallons of shredded apples, and squeezes about 1 to 1 1/2 gallons per squeeze. It has a 5" shredder, 1/4 hp motor, and 6" wheels. Acme screw shaft is 1". Medium and Medium Plus are my most requested models.
- Medium Plus
New offering for 2001. Built as high as a Medium, but as wide and long as a Large. Accommodates baskets that hold 4 gallons of shredded pulp. Medium holds 3 gallons, Large 5 gallons. It has a 6" shredder and a 1/3 hp motor. Advantages: more capacity than a Medium, and easier to use for shorter people, and older and younger helpers. My personal press is a Medium Plus.
- Large
Standard weighs about 160 pounds; Heirloom 190 pounds. Large is 54" long, 42" high, and 27" wide. Baskets are 14" high, and 9 3/8" ID. Presses close to 2 gallons per squeeze. Acme screw shaft size is 1 1/8". Large has 7" wheels, 6" shredder, 1/3 hp motor.
- Jumbo
Standard weighs about 200 pounds, Heirloom about 225 pounds. Jumbo is 58" long, 45" high, and 29" wide. Baskets are 16" high and 11 3/8" ID. Presses close to 3 gallons per squeeze. Acme screw shaft is 1 1/4". Jumbo has 8" wheels, 7" shredder, and 1/2 hp motor. Jumbo baskets hold close to a 40 pound bushel of shredded apples. Juice quantity is dependent on how juicy the apples are. 450 gallons in one day has been reported for the Jumbo.
Please Note: Gallons referred to are approximations only. Many variables must be considered, such as variety, stage of ripeness, etc. Unripe apples are dry, while over-ripe apples are mushy, and either condition will cause greatly reduced juice quantity. Cooking apples are quite dry.
Each press comes complete with instructions for press care and cider preservation. The early summer apples do not make as good a juice. The taste is often weak, or too tart to be enjoyed. Rely of Fall and Winter apples for the best juice. A mix of three or more varieties gives the best flavor. Pears can be added if desired, but since they are so sweet, 20 per cent is usually enough. Early apples can be mixed later with sweeter apples by freezing partial containers. Pull out partially filled early frozen juice and add the sweeter juice. Re-freeze.
Grapes and soft fruits may be pressed as well. With grapes milk them off of the stems into the shredder device until you have filled the basket below. Solid type table grapes can be pressed rapidly. Slip skin varieties such as Concord or Niagra require pressing in several stages over an hour or so. With grapes or soft fruit use a filter bag. Do not under any circumstances attempt to process stone fruits through the shredder. This will damage the knives the same as if you threw in a handful of rocks.
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