Hello Nick,
Sorry, this is not going to be any help as I was actually going to ask that very same question, but now that you did I will add my observations to this topic rather than opening a new one with the exact same problem.
I made 3 batches of a pressed cheese over the past two weeks following this recipe (only that I made it with only 2 gallons):
http://www.cheesemaking.com/Beaufort-AlpineStyle.htmlAs directed, I actually did the initial pressing "under whey". Hence, this stage and the subsequent pressing stages all had rather warm (if not hot) curd. The cheesecloth was soaking wet when I fist ladled the curds.
My first attempt was quite traumatizing. After the final 12 hours of pressing I attempting the gently unwrap my cheese only to watch it tear and rip the skin leaving many holes and scars ... I decided I needed to change the number of swaps, so on my second attempt I un-molded and re-wrapped the cheese after 5 min (under whey), then 15 min, then 1 hour, then another hour and lastly after a total of 12 hours (increasing the weight with each stage). With each un-molding the sticking became worse and needless to say, the final one ripped deep scars into my cheese. My third and final attempt, I decided to press with less weight than the recipe asked for, ending at a max weight of 65lbs - same problem here.
I have thoughts of making adjustments, but I would greatly appreciate some input before I ruin another batch (they are not disposed of by the way ... I am still aging them to see what happens. I am just afraid the many bumps and holes will cause mold and growth problems). Here are my thoughts of changes:
1) reduce the weight even more?
2) keep the curds at scold temp for longer to release more whey and dry out more - maybe my curds have too much moisture left in them at the time I start ladling?
3) press without a cheesecloth (why use a cloth anyways)?
I have made other pressed cheeses in the past, but never heated the curds above 104F and never used more than 35lbs weight.
Any suggestions?
Thanks.
P.S. sorry, I hope I am not interfering in somebody else's topic.