Here is what is left after all of the juice is pressed out of the apple schmultz. That's Jon's word for it :) We all get pretty excited when the schmultz is as dry as it is here.
Here is the dry schmultz in its makeshift cheesecloth. We use sheers, some of which we have found are much stronger than others! I've been eying my Mom's sheers for a few years now... if we ever run short of fabric... :)
The juice runs through the sheers and gravity takes over forcing the juice into pails at the bottom of the press.
The apple schmultz is loaded into the press in layers, with slats between so that the pressure will be distributed evenly. Hopefully. We have had a few disasters over the years where the pressure in one weak area was too much. Messy.
The boys turn down the press to increase the pressure and release the juice.
They all really like this part--very testosterone-ish.
Loading up the press.
The kids loved this part: the apple schmultzing! Hey van Eyks, notice the new hole? Made for much less apple schmultz flying around!
And at the beginning of the process is Quality control: apple washers.
But don't think that all we did was work--we enjoyed a midmorning break with apple dumplings (thanks Jolene!) and hot apple cider.
We also made apple sauce. The kids had lots of fun with this one!
All in all a fun and productive day... and it was a lovely day weather-wise too!
Here is the dry schmultz in its makeshift cheesecloth. We use sheers, some of which we have found are much stronger than others! I've been eying my Mom's sheers for a few years now... if we ever run short of fabric... :)
The juice runs through the sheers and gravity takes over forcing the juice into pails at the bottom of the press.
The apple schmultz is loaded into the press in layers, with slats between so that the pressure will be distributed evenly. Hopefully. We have had a few disasters over the years where the pressure in one weak area was too much. Messy.
The boys turn down the press to increase the pressure and release the juice.
They all really like this part--very testosterone-ish.
Loading up the press.
The kids loved this part: the apple schmultzing! Hey van Eyks, notice the new hole? Made for much less apple schmultz flying around!
And at the beginning of the process is Quality control: apple washers.
But don't think that all we did was work--we enjoyed a midmorning break with apple dumplings (thanks Jolene!) and hot apple cider.
We also made apple sauce. The kids had lots of fun with this one!
All in all a fun and productive day... and it was a lovely day weather-wise too!
2 comments:
Splitting wood just ain't the same as making apple cider with the vanDyks! Wow, the photos made me get a lump in my throat! The fact that there were so many Riverciders there didn't help! You are a special bunch or should I say bushel! Please save me a gallon for when I visit in May.
Lucy
My question is this: Why did it take so many guys to replace me on pressing the mulch? When we were doing it it only took two guys.
Great innovation, that hole in the lid.
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