Frequently Asked Questions
- Is The "Apple Eater" Grinder Hard to Use?
- What happens to the seeds, stems, and skins during pressing?
- Is it safe to use?
- How do I clean it?
- Why do you use laminated hardwood?
- Which HAPPY VALLEY RANCH cider press should I buy?
- How fast can I make apple cider?
- Why do I need the grinder attachment?
- Can I use my HAPPY VALLEY RANCH press more often than just during cider making season?
- Do the HAPPY VALLEY RANCH presses come ready to operate?
- Do I have to wait a long time to get one?
- How many apples does your tub hold?
- How many grapes will the Yakima tub hold?
- Are the HAPPY VALLEY RANCH presses portable?
- What about making wines and grape juice?
- How does it take Poxy Cost to dry?
Is the "Apple Eater" grinder hard to use?
Not at all! The "Apple Eater" grinder with stainless steel blades and the 18-lb. cast iron flywheel does the work. The special design of our cast iron "Apple Eater' grinder requires far less labor than any other grinder on the market.
What happens to the seeds, stems, and skins during pressing?
The seeds and stems of most fruits are small enough to pass through the grinder without being crushed, so they cannot alter the flavor of the juice. The cheesecloth or nylon pressing bag during the pressing process traps all particles.
Yes, but you do have to keep your fingers out of the grinder!
Just hose it off with water and dab dry after use. Do not use soaps. All wood parts should be sealed to resist moisture. Please see our page on Poxy Coat which will do both the wood and the metal. A light coating of vegetable oil on the cast iron grinder will help to resist rust.
Why do you use laminated hardwood?
The laminated maple hardwood, which we use, will never twist or crack with age. Besides, it makes for a much stronger machine. Laminating with the proper glue makes the finished wood 50% stronger than a plain piece of wood.
Which HAPPY VALLEY RANCH cider press should I buy?
If you are only pressing soft fruit (not apples) or grapes in small quantities, you can do nicely with our tabletop soft fruit press.
If you are making apple juice or wine for your family for winter storage, then you should probably buy the single tub unit.
If you have a roadside stand, a large family, or make cider for friends and neighbors, then you should probably really get with the program and buy the double tub machine.
How fast can I make apple cider?
Our grinder will grind a whole box of apples (40 lbs.) into a slurry, in less than 5 minutes! It takes less than 10 minutes more to press the slurry into cider. One box of apples makes 2 to 3 gallons of cider. You can reasonably expect to make 12 gallons of cider per hour using the Homesteader and to make 25 to 30 gallons per hour using the American Harvester, because you can grind and press at the same time.
Why do I need the grinder attachment?
Pressing whole fruit is hard on the operator and hard on the press. Juices are retained within the cells of fruit, so the fruit must be ground into a pulp to release these juices. No hand press is powerful enough to crush whole fruit to a pulp. Without this, you would have to chop the fruit by hand.
Can I use my HAPPY VALLEY RANCH press more often than just during cider making season?
You bet! From mid-summer on, berries, grapes and other vegetables are ready for pressing. You can use your Happy Valley Ranch system for pressing cheese and stored fruit any time of the year.
Do the HAPPY VALLEY RANCH presses come ready to operate?
Almost. To abide by U.P.S. size and weight requirements we have packed the press in several large pieces and it requires only a few bolts to complete assembly.
Do I have to wait a long time to get one?
Since HAPPY VALLEY RANCH cider mills and presses are a handmade product, production is limited and it is wise to order early before the apple season begins. However we build these presses all year long and try to keep a supply on hand so we can ship without delay. Shipping time is about 5 to 7 days to anywhere in the country.
How many apples does your tub hold?
With the Hopper on top, the tub will hold approximately a box (40 lbs) of pulped apples.
How many grapes will the Yakima tub hold?
Depending on the size of the grapes, it will hold approximately one gallon of fruit.
Are the HAPPY VALLEY RANCH presses portable?
Yes. Although our presses weigh quite a bit, two adults can easily move them. They can be easily moved by one person with our wheel attachment
What about making wines and grape juice?
This is no problem. Depending upon the crush you want on your grapes, you can reverse the rotation of the grinder by simply cranking the other way. Our grinder does an excellent job of crushing grapes, so you don't need costly wine making equipment to produce delicious table wines. We have added a Cider Book to our catalog for those of you who desire more knowledge about the art of cider pressing and recipes for using cider in your cooking.
How does it take Poxy Cost to dry?
Drying to touch and delicate use within 24 hours. Completely dry in approximately 30 days depending on climate.
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