Anyone used a wine/fruit press before?

[bbhaag]

I'm looking at purchasing a press for different types of fruits. Anyone here got some experience with them? Mainly looking to press cherries, blackberries, apples, grapes, and pears. Budget is right a round $200 which isn't much but I'm just getting into it so don't want to spend a lot.

Anyway, I know this is long shot but if anyone has some first hand experience with a lower budget press that performs ok I would appreciate any advice you have to offer.

 

[sandorski]

You might be able to get good info at Youtube. Somebody has reviewed the various Presses or use/talk about them.

 

[Greenman]

Somewhere around here there is a video of Drpizza using an old school apple press.

 

[bbhaag]

You might be able to get good info at Youtube. Somebody has reviewed the various Presses or use/talk about them.

Yeah I've been going down the rabbit hole on YT and a couple of other forums like Reddit and HBT but you know how that can go. I was just wondering if anyone on here had some real world experience with a cheap one off Amazon or Ebay.

 

[bbhaag]

Somewhere around here there is a video of Drpizza using an old school apple press.

Good to know. I'll DM him and see if he has some advice.

 

[herm0016]

i built a cider press out of a hydraulc shop press. I think i have 2 or 300 in the whole setup but we can process several hundred lbs of fruit in short order with 3 people. a cutter/stemmer, a grinder and a presser.


thrift store sink and faucet with 2hp garbage disposal for grinding the fruit into buckets. The mash went into mesh bags that get stacked with the slatted boards you see sitting on the press. about 3 bags per pressing. go slow or they will explode. I bought a large sheet pan with ribs and a trough around it, i think marketed for bacon, drilled a hole in a corner for collecting and draining the cider into a bucket. We made the most amazing fruit wine from our very old apple trees and our pear tree.

 

[iRONic]

Good to know. I'll DM him and see if he has some advice.

Is he even still around?! That guy is awesome!

 

[Greenman]

He's been gone for years.

Edit: Last seen in 2017.

 

[bbhaag]

i built a cider press out of a hydraulc shop press. I think i have 2 or 300 in the whole setup but we can process several hundred lbs of fruit in short order with 3 people. a cutter/stemmer, a grinder and a presser.
View attachment 101492

thrift store sink and faucet with 2hp garbage disposal for grinding the fruit into buckets. The mash went into mesh bags that get stacked with the slatted boards you see sitting on the press. about 3 bags per pressing. go slow or they will explode. I bought a large sheet pan with ribs and a trough around it, i think marketed for bacon, drilled a hole in a corner for collecting and draining the cider into a bucket. We made the most amazing fruit wine from our very old apple trees and our pear tree.
View attachment 101496

Wow...that is impressive. Thanks for all the advice everyone but after doing more research this appears to be a lost cause for me. Either you make one yourself like @herm0016 did or spend a lot of money on commercial grade units. There seems to be no in between products at this time that bridge the gap between home owner and commercial.

 

[waffleironhead]

Roots & Harvest Fruit and Wine Press - 956 | Blain's Farm & Fleet

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www.farmandfleet.com

Ive had one like this for 20 years now. Make cider, cyser and press wild plums for wine making. Not this exact model, but same idea.
It should do everything you need, except you also need a grinder for the apples.
I Prefer the ratcheting presses vs the simple wheel spin as it locks pressure down a bit better imo.
Its a bit higher than your budget, but nowhere near the $2k of commercial units.