Prairie Palms: Apple Cider Pressing

Since I was a little girl we have been making Apple Cider at my Grandparents' house. As all the grandchildren have grown up, we have done it less often but in the last few years my cousin has been wonderful at working hard to make sure it comes together. What wonderful memories we all have of making Apple Cider at the lake! I'm excited that now my boys will have some of these same memories.
We didn't have the entire crew this year but we did have a great group.

Wyatt brought his tractor to help out.

We start by filling Grandpa's cart full of apples and water.

My brother Sam took some great pictures.

We look at the apples and cut out any bugs, worms etc....

Here we are cutting up the apples...I like to call it "Quality Control!"

Then the apples go in the top of the press where a grinder shreds them up. The shredded apples then fall into the round barrel which has a liner. *Note: Back in the day when I was little the big manly dads would hand crank the grinder to shred the apples. These days the grandsons run a drill to power the grinder! :)

Here is a picture of the shredded, chopped, etc., apples waiting to be pressed.

When the barrell is full there is a lid to put on and then the lid is screwed down as it presses the apples down.

As the apples are pressed the juice runs out into the tray and through a hole into a clean bucket.

Harvey was such a good boy during all this. He played on a blanket in the grass with his cup.

Grandma and Jacob strain the juice and put it into containers.
And that is how you do it. I think we made about 20 gallons.
We will enjoy many nights of yummy cider this winter .