Hi and some orchard and cider questions.

[KimD]

Hi,
I am new to the forum and have a few questions :-

I live in south Devon and have a smallish orchard of 8 apple trees, the remnants of a much larger orchard, which, according to old maps, appears to date from the 19th c. Last year (a bumper year I think), I pressed about half the apples and had 10 gallons of juice. Unfortunately I killed the natural yeasts (Campden tablets) and used a wine yeast - whilst the alcohol (7.5% on the hygrometer) was fine, the taste was not (acetone). This year I am using the natural yeast from the apple (I think it's called "straight") but the early apple fall has been of very small apples - should I use these? Or wait till the bigger apples start falling?

Second question, I have a simple scratter, can anyone recommend a method of fixing this to a workmate so it doesn't move when I wind the handle? The handle turning is ok (you should see my biceps) but the scratter jumps with the torque.

Cheers

Kim

 

[Dutto]

Welcome to The Forum!

I'm off to watch Eagles v. Browns so I will leave it to someone else to answer your query!

 

[Smallbrook Cider]

Hi, I know it's a long time since you posted, i'm new to this as well, I purchased a scratter with a hopper on top, to make it easy to use I have made a bench that it fit on, you sit behind it astride the bench and wind away, i'll post a pic if you would like to see it

Dave

 

[Dutto]

A picture’s worth a thousand words.

 

[Chippy_Tea]

Hi, I know it's a long time since you posted,

KimD was last seen:Aug 29, 2018

Your picture may be wasted on Kim but i am sure the rest of us would like to see it :thumba: