How to Make Apple Cider With an Apple Press (2024)

Making cider is a great way to celebrate fall—and that pure, fresh apple cider taste is like nothing you’ve ever tasted from a grocery store. If you have the right tools, it’s simple to do and lots of fun! Check out our DIY tutorial on how to make apple cider byhand.

In colonial days, many farmers and families owned a barreled cider press (and in those days, the cider was often left to ferment and become an alcoholic “hard” cider). Today, the “old-fashioned” cider press is becoming more popular again, perhaps because more people are planting fruit trees and becoming more interested inhomesteading.

The difference between the taste of homemade unfiltered apple cider and thatof pasteurized, filtered grocery store cider is indescribable. They barely resemble eachother.

The taste of homemade cider pops in your mouth—pure, fresh, and flavor-packed! Plus, you can use all thoseless-than-perfect apple drops from the ground, so it’s also a big saving from the price of storecider.

To make your own apple cider, you’ll need a few key tools. First, you’ll need a cider press. You can purchase one online or at a local farm supply store. You’ll also need a large container to catch the juice, such as a food-grade plastic bucket or a stainless steel pot. Additionally, you’ll need a strainer or cheesecloth to remove any pulp or solids from thejuice.

Once you have your tools, it’s time to start making cider. You can use any type of apple, but some varieties are better suited for cider-making than others. Look for sweet, tart, and juicy apples, such as Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, orJonathan.

Whether you drink it fresh or let it ferment, homemade apple cider is a delicious and satisfying way to celebrate the fall season. So grab your cider press and let’s getstarted!

The ApplePress

An apple press makes the whole process fun and simple.The press essentially grinds up the apples into a pulp and then presses the juices out. Once you get going, the liquid gold keeps flowing. You go from press to glass in 30seconds!

There are many kinds of presses, from a verysimple hand press to the traditional cider press with a grinder.You can often even rent anapple press. Then all you need are the apples and a few supplies (cutting boards, knives, and empty pitchers). Taketurns with the press—and you’re in ciderheaven!

How to Press AppleCider

• Start with a wheelbarrow of apple drops (fallen apples). You need a good amount of apples to make cider.Approximately 30 to 40 apples will yield one gallon ofcider.
• The apples need to be as ripe as possible. It’s OK to use less-than-perfect apples on the ground at any orchard or old apple farm. Discard any rotten ones, though.Spoiled or rotten apples cause the juice to ferment too rapidly. (You know they say… one bad apple ruins thebunch!)
• Blast the apples with a hose to wash themoff.

• Now you need to grind up the apples. Some presses come up a grinder. Feed the apples into thehopper.
• Turn a cast iron wheel to grind the apples. The wheel is attached to the grinding shaft which quickly and easily chops uptheapples.

• The apples fall into the tub below. A big press screw is flowered onto a wooden pressingplate.
• Turn the pressing plate down on the pulp to free up the apple juices which flow into a container below thepress.

• Once all the juices are pressed out, empty the leftover pulp into a bin. Then, grind up more apples andpressagain!
• The juice quickly oxidizes into a rich amber color. Some apple “froth” forms on the top which can be skimmedoff.
• Finally, pour the cider intojugs and drink! Amazing sweet, fresh as a whistle, and crazy delicious! (Watch out for any drunken bees who ended up in thejug!)

* If you are concerned about pasteurization before drinking, just heat the cider to 160 degrees Fahrenheit for about 6 to 8 seconds.After pasteurization, cider can be frozen for longerstorage.

Add some cider donuts, and you’re in heaven… or, for a special treat, make some mulled applecider.

Cider pressing is a great occasion for friends and family to get together on a fall day. The kids—of all ages—will have a blast cranking the press. If you have the inclination, find (or make) a cider press and throw your own autumn harvest party nextyear!

Are you looking for more great ways to utilize your apple harvest? Be sure to check out our favorite applerecipes.

Anyone else a cider fan? Or, own a cider press? Have any questions or comments? Just postbelow.