Sunday 11 October 2009

Phoenix from the Flames


On Friday night the press decided it didn't like the pressure so decided to split.
Not to be cowed by this set-back an armada of information technology and financial services know-how did sally forth into Paddock with one purpose in mind..... to rebuild the press to be better than ever before.
Some key modifications where made, some dreamt up in a haze of Leeds' finest lager and planned out on the back of a fag packet.
Elastic band, scramblers, guttering and boundary rope were considered in this task.
After many a gallon of tea and much head scratching, not to mention the teeth-sucking, we decided just to make it bigger.
Can't wait to get it going, pictures will follow.
Thanks to Andy and Tony for sterling work.

Sunday 27 September 2009

Busy times after holiday

After a lovely week in Northumberland, I came back to find a lot of apples and pears to collect. Recent articles in the Campaign for Real Ale's magazine, The Huddersfield Examiner and a door leafleting campaign have proved very successful. Pears have been plentiful, thanks to Terry and Rose, I have some Woucester Pearman from Mrs Beaumont and an unknown variety from Will. Plenty more as well.
Have been racking off some of the first pressings I did.
All going according to plan at the minute

Sunday 6 September 2009

An evening's Pressing

My friend Steve and I collected over a hundred weight of apples over the weekend which now needed converting into juice. Had a good evenings pressing, a good yield achieved. A piece of titanium 4 inches by 4 inches improved the conversion of power from the press. Some further modifications required to stop the press falling apart. Still lots of apples left from the weekend's scrumping still to press.

Wednesday 2 September 2009

First Juice Ferments

Fermentation has started in the first juice just two days after pressing. It is always a relief when yeast naturally occurring in the apples starts to work.

Monday 31 August 2009

New Press


The new press I built myself was tested today. managed to get 1.75 gallons from a box of apples. Some teething issues relating to the management of the 6 tonnes of pressure required. Some sheet metal should sort out the problems (thanks Tony).

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Here you will see updates on the cider making process at 'Udders Orchard.