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GENERAL CHEESE MAKING BOARDS (Specific Cheese Making in Boards above) => STANDARD METHODS - Forming Cheese => Topic started by: Caseus on May 14, 2012, 05:09:16 PM

Title: Plyban Cheesecloth - Reducing Wrinkles Around Wheel Perimeter
Post by: Caseus on May 14, 2012, 05:09:16 PM
I tried plyban for the first time yesterday on a Gouda.  I found it very easy to work with as compared to fabric cheesecloth.  However, the sides of my cheese have verticle crevices (embedded wrinkles) that I have not seen before when using cloth. 

Is there a trick to getting smooth sides when forming the cheese in a mold with plyban, or is there some other explanation for the difference.

The first cheese is a mustard seed Gouda I made yesterday using plyban in the mold.  The second photo is a Havarti I made last week using fabric cheesecloth.  There are no embedded wrinkles in the sides of the Havarti.   I used the same 7.5 inch diameter Tomme mold for both cheeses.



Title: Re: Plyban Cheesecloth - Reducing Wrinkles Around Wheel Perimeter
Post by: zenith1 on May 14, 2012, 05:43:08 PM
I started off using cheese cloth and from time to time had problems  of the curd sticking to the cloth during pressing. I only use Plyban now. As far as the wrinkles on the sides of your wheels it is just a matter of technique. One that you will master as you have all the rest. Just takes a little messing around by gently pulling up all around the hoop after you have the follower on.
Title: Re: Plyban Cheesecloth - Reducing Wrinkles Around Wheel Perimeter
Post by: Caseus on May 14, 2012, 06:26:53 PM
Keith, I did pull up gently on the plyban while filling the curds, and each time I flipped and redressed it (six times).   I think the wrinkles came from the initial molding (pressing under whey) before first flip.  I noticed them on the first flip, and they never seemed to change, although it is hard to tell.  One wrinkle looks very much like any other.

What I do is firmly and evenly press the curds into the form with my hand as I'm filling it to try to get even density throughout.  Then I pull up on the edges all around to eliminate bunched up material. 

The plyban is much thicker than regular cheesecloth.  Maybe I need to pull up more aggressively while holding the curds down with my hand? 
Title: Re: Plyban Cheesecloth - Reducing Wrinkles Around Wheel Perimeter
Post by: Sailor Con Queso on May 14, 2012, 07:25:59 PM
Some of the wrinkles will disappear after brining and/or aging. If you want to get rid of almost all of the wrinkles, just remove the cheesecloth or plyban and press "naked" for another hour or two.
Title: Re: Plyban Cheesecloth - Reducing Wrinkles Around Wheel Perimeter
Post by: Caseus on May 14, 2012, 09:08:52 PM
That's a good thought, Sailor.  Maybe just eliminate the cheesecloth after the last flip? 

Which briings me to another question.  What purpose does the cheesecloth in the mold serve?  Why not just press naked all the time?   If you start out with light pressure, I don't imagine much curd would squeeze out through the holes in the mold.  For molds without bottoms you might have to clamp the mold down in your pan so the curds can't squish out the bottom.  In fact, some presses are designed to do that.  My press from Hoegger is designed that way.

The other thing I was thinking might work is to cut top and bottom circle of the plyban to fit the mold, and a strip to fit the circumference.  Then there'd be no folds.
Title: Re: Plyban Cheesecloth - Reducing Wrinkles Around Wheel Perimeter
Post by: Sailor Con Queso on May 14, 2012, 09:55:27 PM
Cloth provides a wicking layer that allows for more efficient drainage during early pressing. Otherwise the holes in the hoop would clog and prevent proper drainage.
Title: Re: Plyban Cheesecloth - Reducing Wrinkles Around Wheel Perimeter
Post by: DeejayDebi on May 15, 2012, 12:14:56 AM
I agree with Sailor it is only needed for about an hour at most then when you press you will not have any lines or what left will go away when you brine.
Title: Re: Plyban Cheesecloth - Reducing Wrinkles Around Wheel Perimeter
Post by: Caseus on May 15, 2012, 03:42:04 AM
That's settled then.  Next cheese, I'm going to use the plyban only during the early heaving draining. 
Title: Re: Plyban Cheesecloth - Reducing Wrinkles Around Wheel Perimeter
Post by: Threelittlepiggiescheese on May 15, 2012, 12:53:08 PM
you could theoretically cut the plyban to fit your mold perfectly, or perhaps even bond it on the inside of the mold
Title: Re: Plyban Cheesecloth - Reducing Wrinkles Around Wheel Perimeter
Post by: Boofer on May 15, 2012, 02:54:52 PM
The plyban is much thicker than regular cheesecloth.
Really? I find it much thinner...like a plastic, holey veneer.

On Debi's suggestion, I have used the cut-to-fit strategy on several makes recently. It's not a perfect solution, but it does eliminate a lot of excess Plyban.

I would agree. Press with the Plyban until you are getting a good knit. Then you can remove it and continue pressing. If you are pressing "warm" either under whey or in the pot with warmth added, you may find the curd coming through the mould holes without the Plyban or cheesecloth. I can testify to this for my Maasdam and Cheddar. Those are using firm pressure (250lbs and/or 8psi) though.

-Boofer-
Title: Re: Plyban Cheesecloth - Reducing Wrinkles Around Wheel Perimeter
Post by: DeejayDebi on May 16, 2012, 11:40:20 PM
I cut seveval pieces at once for each mold type I use, tops bottoms and sides and keep them in ziplock bags tucked into the mold. When I need them they are already cut and ready to place in the mold. They wash very nicely and can be reused many, many times. I don't think I have ever wore one out but I loose them from time to time.
Title: Re: Plyban Cheesecloth - Reducing Wrinkles Around Wheel Perimeter
Post by: Caseus on May 17, 2012, 02:34:08 AM
I may try that.  I'd be one to loose them too.
Title: Re: Plyban Cheesecloth - Reducing Wrinkles Around Wheel Perimeter
Post by: DeejayDebi on May 19, 2012, 12:01:40 AM
When wet they stick to things like cling film so if yoy wet you mold with whey then place the plyban on the bottom and wrap it around the sides it will stay put. Then just add the top and press away! Makes a cheese almost as clean as a kadova mold.
Title: Re: Plyban Cheesecloth - Reducing Wrinkles Around Wheel Perimeter
Post by: Caseus on May 19, 2012, 03:43:45 AM
That's a great tip on sticking them in place.  Thank you Debi.
Title: Re: Plyban Cheesecloth - Reducing Wrinkles Around Wheel Perimeter
Post by: DeejayDebi on May 19, 2012, 10:36:44 PM
our welcome. You should alway pack your molds warm and well wheyedyou you need to press a cheese it helps keep it from sticking and the warmth will help the curds meld.
Title: Re: Plyban Cheesecloth - Reducing Wrinkles Around Wheel Perimeter
Post by: Myrrh on May 20, 2012, 03:54:44 PM
I find cutting the plyban to fit the mold very helpful. One for the top, one for the bottom, and a strip to go around the sides. Before going in for the last pressing I take off the side strip. I have found that in my mold the cheese drains just fine naked, but the textured plyban or cloth is what gives me really good smooth curd knit. Good luck!
Title: Re: Plyban Cheesecloth - Reducing Wrinkles Around Wheel Perimeter
Post by: linuxboy on May 20, 2012, 04:13:00 PM
I find cutting the plyban to fit the mold very helpful. One for the top, one for the bottom, and a strip to go around the sides. Before going in for the last pressing I take off the side strip. I have found that in my mold the cheese drains just fine naked, but the textured plyban or cloth is what gives me really good smooth curd knit. Good luck!

I have found no better approach for consistent presentation than to use cloth or plastic liners exactly as Myrrh describes. About the only improvement is to demould early while cheese is pliable and then use a "shaping" mold or a follower to create impressions. An italian ricotta or tomme mold, or woven basket works really well here.
Title: Re: Plyban Cheesecloth - Reducing Wrinkles Around Wheel Perimeter
Post by: DeejayDebi on May 21, 2012, 02:25:44 AM
That how I do it too.