Apple Press Booking Calendar
The North Howe Transition Toun Local Food Group has 2 apple crushers and presses which are available for members of the community to hire. The equipment has been purchased as part of our successful Climate Challenge Fund grant.
For Small scale crushing and pressing we have:
- 1 x 1.3 litre Wine Works Mini press
- 1 x Wine Press 4 U Medium crusher
For bigger jobs:
- 1 x 20 litre Medium sized press
- 1 x Wine Press 4 U Large Crusher
In addition to these we have 2 trugs, 2 buckets  and 2 long handled brushes for apple washing for use.
Cost £5 per day for those living within NHTT Area £10 per day for those living out with the NHTT Area Free for NHTT Members.
All equipment should be returned clean and dry ready for next use.
Please use the Calendar below to book the Apple Presses. Light Blue Boxes are available Days. Grey/Dark Blue slots are taken. Once your booking has been approved you will receive a confirmation email.
October 7th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Just finished pressing my apples and thought I’d feed back.
I (daftly) used the big press because I overestimated the amount of apples we had! Its a pretty heavy piece of kit and the crusher (which chops up the apples for crushing) and press took up all the room in our wee car -so don’t collect it with the kids!
The Crusher is a mean looking piece of kit but it works really well. I found it easiest to fill the hopper with it placed over one of the big buckets. Just turn the wheel to mash the apples.
The pressing process was equally easy- fill the press with apples then turn the screw. It would have worked better for me had I had more apples because as they got pressed the volume contracted and at full extension I was nearing the end of the thread. Got to say though- it was a very satisfying experience watching the Golden apple juice coming out the bottom.
The juice itself was spectacular and the leftover mulch is now composting.
As the owner of an electric juicer, there really is no comparison. There was none of the froth, fibre or slight grittiness that you get with the grater juicers. Really worth while doing. My only regret is that our 2 apples trees had a poor crop this year (anyone know how to prune an apple tree?). I also suspect the dog has been feasting on some of the early fallers!
This has been a great investment by NHTT, well done for thinking about it. If anyone has a large stock of apples, and can’t juice them I’d be happy to help out.
Dave
[Reply]
October 8th, 2009 at 9:16 am
Hi Dave
It was great to hear about your apple pressing antics! What a joy to read! Re apple tree pruning – think Monimail Tower project might be able to advise there – monimail@phonecoop.coop
Also BIG THANKYOU for doing our website – really can’t say enough how grateful we are for this.
Best wishes
Hayley
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