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GENERAL CHEESE MAKING BOARDS (Specific Cheese Making in Boards above) => Discussion => Topic started by: brent on January 02, 2009, 08:22:54 AM

Title: So far so good
Post by: brent on January 02, 2009, 08:22:54 AM
so far out of 2 attempts (both simple) 1st labnah  now a whole milk ricotta both a success very encouraging next up another ricotta with the leftover whey then ill try a Gouda best get on with building a press  ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: So far so good
Post by: Cheese Head on January 02, 2009, 10:51:39 AM
Congrats, don't forget Neufchatel or Cream Cheese or Feta, fast and easy vs needing a press and and cheese cave of sorts. Lots of different presses posted here.
Title: Re: So far so good
Post by: Cartierusm on January 02, 2009, 10:47:28 PM
Brent as long as you have a round thing to mold a cheese in you don't need a press for Blue Cheese or Stilton. I would suggest a mold with a follower though as I like to press down a little to make sure it forms a nice wheel.
Title: Re: So far so good
Post by: brent on January 02, 2009, 11:37:53 PM
i have a 6 inch peice of pvc pipe about 5 in diameter and a couple of 2lb bar-bell weights i think that will work well  ;D ;D
Title: Re: So far so good
Post by: Cartierusm on January 03, 2009, 02:07:48 AM
Where did you find the PVC and for how much?
Title: Re: So far so good
Post by: brent on January 03, 2009, 03:00:41 AM
was laying about here but a plumbing supplier would have it cheap for a offcut 
Title: Re: So far so good
Post by: wharris on January 03, 2009, 03:04:01 AM
Look for construction sites and pick through the waste
Title: Re: So far so good
Post by: Cartierusm on January 03, 2009, 03:40:01 AM
Yeah, but most irrigation places don't have off cuts they want to sell a whole length. I've bought it in the past and will have to call around. I don't want 6", I need 8" and 12", I've found it all the way up to 24" but I might have to buy the 10' length. If I can't figure out something else maybe I'll see if anyone on here wants to split one.

Basically I need to make some new molds. I'm going to start a new post and that will say everything.
Title: Re: So far so good
Post by: beeman on January 04, 2009, 01:17:20 AM
I don't want 6", I need 8" and 12", I've found it all the way up to 24" but I might have to buy the 10' length. If I can't figure out something else maybe I'll see if anyone on here wants to split one.

You might be interested in today's discovery. PVC pipe has the be joined! This is done with a 'sleeve' slightly wider than the pipe to be joined. This is a slip fit over the pipe and has a flange in the centre to stop it going all the way through.
Each sized pipe has a same sized sleeve, 4" 6" 8" not sure about 12". I picked up two 4" and one 6" sleeves from a local plumbers supply.
All I have to do is grind off the flange with my Dremel and drill a few holes for drainage and I have 3 good moulds.
Next step will be Brie hoops.
Title: Re: So far so good
Post by: Cheese Head on January 04, 2009, 01:25:03 AM
Good idea, I've looked at those couplings before as well but discarded th idea as I have no way to remove the inside upset. Good thinking with dremel tool, hope it's strong enough as lots of plastic to cut off.
Title: Re: So far so good
Post by: Cartierusm on January 04, 2009, 01:30:03 AM
Good idea, but as far as I know they don't sell them that big. They used a special machine that welds them at those sizes. And the insides of the coupleing might not be as smooth as the inside of a pipe. And fittings are usually a lot more expensive. I'd expect an 8" fitting to be in the $50-$75 range.
Title: Re: So far so good
Post by: Captain Caprine on January 04, 2009, 09:23:42 PM
Hey Cartierusm,
For large diameter PVC you might try calling Ocean Shore Hardware in Half Moon Bay.  They used to sell large diameter (10" and 12") by the foot.
CC
Title: Re: So far so good
Post by: Cartierusm on January 04, 2009, 10:19:40 PM
Sweet, thanks. Which one is that, is that the one over by Nor Cal Surf Shop? Not right new to it but the one next to the cement plant.

P.S. just called and the largest they sell is 4". But they did give me some ideas on where to find it.
Title: Re: So far so good
Post by: SalMac on January 04, 2009, 10:28:40 PM
Is that food grade PVC?
Title: Re: So far so good
Post by: beeman on January 04, 2009, 10:47:58 PM
Is that food grade PVC?

My information is that all PVC is food grade, so provided it's sterilised before use?
Title: Re: So far so good
Post by: Cartierusm on January 04, 2009, 11:08:57 PM
I do some plumbing as part of my work and I know there is only some that is listed as food grade. It's not just in the materials but in the way it's processed. Take brass fittings for plumbing, brass is inert for use in drinking water but most brass has lead on it from the machining process.
Title: Re: So far so good
Post by: SalMac on January 04, 2009, 11:12:44 PM
I cant follow this up immediately as Im on the road tomorrow but not all PVC is equal and it's about leaching.

I think this has been covered before and that food grade pvc is a specific colour. Anyone?
Title: Re: So far so good
Post by: Cartierusm on January 04, 2009, 11:16:59 PM
Yes, that's what I'm getting at. White PVC is alright, make sure it's water or food safe. The black PVC is DWV and is for Drain Waste and is not food safe. When something is manufactuered as is food safe they almost always put NSF on it, even if it's not for food. My new Brute Garbage Can by Rubbermaid is food safe, people use these a lot in primary fermentation for wine.
Title: Re: So far so good
Post by: Captain Caprine on January 05, 2009, 01:02:49 AM
Ocean Shore,
If you are coming west on 92 take a right on Main and it will be on your right side.  I'll check for you next time I roll through town because I know they had it 3 or 4 months ago.  Sometimes the kids on the phone don't know what they really have.
CC
Title: Re: So far so good
Post by: Cartierusm on January 05, 2009, 06:32:52 AM
The lady knew what I was talking about and even asked someone about other sources. I'll try again tomorrow.