Cider from apples

[Wexbrew]

I have 12 apple trees in my back garden and want to make cider this Autumn when the apples are ready.

Any tips on what I need and how difficult this would be?

I know I'll need:

*A press (what size 12L or 18L?)
*Fermentation buckets (have 2 25 L buckets)
*Yeast (champagne yeast)
*Syphon and tubing
*Hydrometer to measure SG and FG to calculate alcohol content
*Thermometer
*Camden tablets to get rid of wild yeasts before fermentation[/li][/list]

[bachus]

Hi Wexbrew,
In my opinion you should add some pectic enzyme before fermentation.I am using Pectolase but I prefer BIOWIN "Pektoenzym" (1-2ml/10kg of Apples).

[Will_D]

Hi Wexbrew welcome to the world of cider.

Some time ago I posted this:

http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.ie/forum/index.php/topic,4308.0.html

as a guide to cider making from the juice we bulk buy in the autumn. It will give you a lot of info.

Around about page 17 there is a description of the apples to juice process!

I also have a thread somewhere with pictures of the process!

HTH! - Will

[Wexbrew]

Thanks for the replies; some great information there.

I'm looking up a good bit of stuff on the internet.

[shweeney]

*A press (what size 12L or 18L?)

There are numerous guides online and on YouTube to building your own press using wood and a carjack.

You'll also need some way of pulping the apples before pressing them.  This is the cheap option: http://www.homebrewwest.ie/pulp-master-1061-p.asp but it's a lot of effort pulping a large amount of apples in a small bucket.  Better option is to buy/build an apple scratter.

I've made cider from my own apples a couple of times, but I don't think I'll be doing it again - juice yield has generally been disappointing.  The NHC generally does a group buy each year for juice from actual Cider apples - sounds like an easier option...

[Wexbrew]

*A press (what size 12L or 18L?)

There are numerous guides online and on YouTube to building your own press using wood and a carjack.

You'll also need some way of pulping the apples before pressing them.  This is the cheap option: http://www.homebrewwest.ie/pulp-master-1061-p.asp but it's a lot of effort pulping a large amount of apples in a small bucket.  Better option is to buy/build an apple scratter.

I've made cider from my own apples a couple of times, but I don't think I'll be doing it again - juice yield has generally been disappointing.  The NHC generally does a group buy each year for juice from actual Cider apples - sounds like an easier option...

I did see someone on the youtube who used a sanitised plastic barrel and a heavy wooden stake wrapped in plastic to bash the apples into pulp.

My trees don't seem to be too full yet and the apples are fairly small; maybe my goal of 5 gallons is over ambitious.

[delzep]

Is there plans for a group buy this year?

[Leann ull]

There is always a plan for NHC Members
This year we are gonna need a bigger truck though!

[shweeney]

I did see someone on the youtube who used a sanitised plastic barrel and a heavy wooden stake wrapped in plastic to bash the apples into pulp.

My trees don't seem to be too full yet and the apples are fairly small; maybe my goal of 5 gallons is over ambitious.

I wouldn't worry to much about sanitisation - the apples aren't sanitised to start with.  I used the bucket+stake method the first time I made cider - it's hard work and the bucket split.

Juice yield depends on the variety of apples, and the efficiency of your scratter and press

[Wexbrew]

I had to use a knife to split the apples as the divider wasn't included (by mistake) in my kit.


This method did the job and wasn't too much effort for the amount of apples I bashed.


This is the most enjoyable part.

[Wexbrew]

The press 18 litres.

I did a full press yesterday and another today (about 6 Tesco bags) of apples) and got 14 litres of apple juice.

I added 3 level teaspoons of pectin powder stuff and half a sachet of yeast with nutrient (which I started in a cup of luke warm); I hope half a sachet of yeast is enough.

I put on a brew belt and it's about 18' now out in the shed.

[shweeney]

Nice job - the pics are reminding me of how much work is involved.    Where did you buy the press in the end?

[Wexbrew]

Nice job - the pics are reminding me of how much work is involved.    Where did you buy the press in the end?

Yeah, it's a good bit of work alright ; I didn't mind it though.

It still hasn't started bubbling through the fermenter so I'm starting to get a bit worried.

The initial SG was 1.050 so I added about 135 g of sugar to increase the alcohol content; however, I hear this may have inhibited the yeast I pitched.

I stirred it well today and pitched the other half of the yeast packet.

[Wexbrew]

Brought the fermenting bucket into the house about an hour ago; bubbling away now.

Hopefully it won't get too warm.

[Will_D]

Once its started it should go outside. Cider is best fermented slowly at low temperatures.