Looking for suggestions on large hoops or molds. I'm not talking 4-6 pounds "large"
(But not 80lbs large either!) Something in the 10 to 20 pound range. The ball is finally starting to really roll on our farmstead creamery plans! We finally had our loan application go through and get approved, and then a few days later I was able to buy a 75 gallon vat-pasteurizer at a going-out-of-farming auction here in NY. Very excited. But need to work on the facility in which to make the cheese...
Anyway, large molds. Most anything I can find on websites max out around 6 or 8 pounds, like the 3.5 kg Kadova (which is pricey!) or the 8x8x6" "large tomme", which i currently use and would probably be my choice if I don't find other options. Would like something larger though, in part to reduce the labor and number in inventory. Dairy Heritage offers a "truckle" mold, making a high cylinder. And more commercially, it looks like "wilson style" hoops are common (and I see some in a 20lb size). Both of these seem to work not by having a following pushing down within the walls of the form; rather, there are two side or wall pieces, one of which slides within the other; the top cover pushes down on one of the sides, while the base supports the other side wall. You use pins to hold the upper side higher to start, fill with curd, place the lid, then remove the pins so that the top and bottom can press towards each other. I imagine it works more or less like any standard mold.
Of course, larger molds would need larger pressure too, and I don't think I want to invest in a pneumatic press...