Transform your fruit harvests into juice and cider with your own apple press.
An apple press is the ideal way to make good use of your harvests, producing delicious fresh juice from various homegrown fruits, including berries, pears and, of course, apples.
We’ve compiled a list of some of the best fruit and apple presses on the market right now. We’ve included the capacity of each one in litres, which refers to how much fruit can fit into the press, rather than how much juice can be extracted in a single pressing. There’s a wide range of styles and sizes available, so there’s something for everyone, no matter how big or small your homegrown harvests.
Plus, there’s a quick guide to using an apple press at the end of this article, and you can check out the video below to learn more about making apple juice at home.
Need some advice on how to gather your apples in the first place and where to keep your fruit once collected? Then see our best apple pickers and how to store apples.
And if you want to use your harvests to cook up delicious jams, chutney and jellies too, then take a look at our guide to the best jam-making kits.
The best apple presses in 2023
Browse our pick of presses and kits below.
Oak Apple Press
This barrel style apple press is made from oak and is bound with enamelled steel rings. The press mechanism itself is made from cast iron for both strength and durability. To operate the press, the hardwood padding blocks are placed on top of the pressing plate which then squeeze the juices down and out of the fruit.
Size: 18L
Price: £149.99
Buy 18L Oak Apple Press at Amazon
Classic Manual Stainless Steel Fruit or Apple Crusher
This crusher has been sold for over 25 years and has reportedly remained popular because of how straight-forward it is to use. Featuring alternating stainless steel rollers, it crushes through fruit simply by turning the cast iron hand wheel which means it should work effectively for minimum manual effort. This model fits over three sizes of press.
Size: H28xW42xL60cm / suitable for 12, 20 and 36 litre presses
Price: £265
Buy Classic Manual Stainless Steel Fruit or Apple Crusher at the worm that turned
Cast Iron Apple/Fruit Press
This attractive crossbeam style apple press swings to allow fruit to be crushed straight into the basket and makes emptying pulp much easier. Its large size means it can hold up to 11kg of fruit. The cast iron base plate and legs help keep the press stable and you’ll also get a handy cider and juice making booklet plus a tub of grease included.
Size: 12L
Price: £275
Buy Cast Iron Apple/Fruit Press at Pressfruit
Worktop Apple/Fruit Press
This fruit press is designed to fit on top of a kitchen worktop or table making it a compact option for those short on space. It will only produce up to 1.7 litres of juice from each use but includes a washable straining bag and splashguard to help limit the mess making it a breeze to use. The machine is made from stainless steel with a polished brass top-beam and includes a cider and juice making booklet.
Size: 4.5L
Price: £69.95
Buy Worktop Apple/Fruit Press at Love Brewing
Hobby Press – Starter Cider Making Kit
This set is ideal for anyone new to fruit pressing as it contains everything you need to have a go at making your own cider for the first time – apart from the apples! You can choose the capacity of the fruit press as well as the crusher, which are accompanied by a fermentation bucket, yeast, steriliser, tubes and more.
Price: from £93
Buy Cider Press Bundle on Love Brewing
Woodside Fruit Press
This fruit and apple press is made from wood and includes a mesh straining bag. The mechanical press comes apart for cleaning and should be straightforward to assemble. There are three sizes to choose from, up to 18 litres, depending on how much juice you’ll need to produce at a time.
Size: 6L, 12L, 18L
Price: from £47.99
Buy Woodside Fruit Press at Amazon
Spindle Press
This spindle press features a perforated stainless steel press basket which can hold up to 14 litres at a time. The three-legged metal stand provides stability and extra support while the machine is in use. The press should be simple to assemble as well as to clean between uses.
Size: 14L
Price: £169
Varomorus Fruit Press
For a more contemporary look, check out the Varomorus Fruit Press. A screw-press made with food-grade stainless steel, this colourful, modern tool is available from 10-25L, to suit a range of needs.
Size: 10L
Price: £165.77
Buy the Varomorus Fruit Press from Etsy
Aluminium/Stainless Steel Fruit Press
Its sleek aluminium and stainless-steel design means this press looks smart and stylish in any kitchen. With a 5.5 litre capacity, it will produce approximately 2 litres of juice or fruit pulp on average, and is ideal for making 1 gallon of wine or cider. It can be taken apart for easy cleaning between uses.
Size: 5.5L
Price: £129.99
Buy the Aluminium/Stainless Steel Fruit Press at BrewCo
How to use an apple press
To get the best juice yield from your apples, follow these simple steps:
- Selecting your apples: Gather up enough apples to suit the size of your press. You can use undamaged fruits as well as those with some slight bruising or marks on the skin – simply cut out any bad bits.
- Prepare your apples and machine: Make sure your machine is clean before you start. Wash your apples too. In some cases, depending on the type of machine, you may need to cut your apples into chunks before pressing. There’s no need to peel or core them.
- Pulping: Crush your apples into a consistent pulp. This will help to maximise juice extraction and ensure a well-balanced flavour.
- Pressing: Load the apple pulp into the pressing bag and start tightening the press gradually. Optimal pressure is essential for a high yield of juice.
- Collecting the juice: Make sure you have a large enough container or bucket in position to catch all the juice.
- Filter for best results: To achieve a crystal-clear result, filter the juice through muslin or a fine mesh.
- Storing your juice: It’s best to drink your juice fresh, for maximum flavour and vitamins. It can also be stored in the fridge for a few days – pour it into sterilised bottles, or similar containers, and seal the lids.
- Storing your press: Thoroughly wash your machine after each use and store it in a cool, dry place.
This Product Guide was last updated in August 2023. We apologise if anything has changed in price or availability.
from BBC Gardeners World Magazine https://ift.tt/yRd25hf
