Ring mould with strap

[Gregore]

I have no idea what he is saying , but I think his mold is aluminum. It would be so easy to make these out of stainless steel

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LAiWaw4IWeA

[awakephd]

Ughh - aluminum and cheese do not go together well in my experience. When I first started making cheese, just fresh cheeses, I used a stainless steel pot, but I unthinkingly used the aluminum colander that I already had. Even with cheesecloth lining the colander, I got a distinct metallic taste - fortunately faint, but definitely there. I bought a stainless colander, and the problem disappear. Absolutely no aluminum for me, from then on, anywhere involved in the cheese making process!

[AnnDee]

I agree with the aluminum bit...but if you use stainless steel it will probably make a good ring mould, it will be easy to clean too. Now I have no clue how am I going to make my wooden ring flexible enough, I'm planning to soak it today to test it. And I suppose I will boil it to sanitise.

[awakephd]

If you use it right after you boil it, it should be very flexible. But whether or how long it will stay that way ... that is the question!

[AnnDee]

So I finally used my wooden ring mould yesterday. I boiled it just before using, cool it down first of course. It was a little stiff, I think because it was new, but I managed to figure out how to tightened it. I think with time it will be more flexible.

[Gregore]

What did you think compared to,normal molds ?

[AnnDee]

I bought this primarily because I want the cheese to be not too thick (wider wheel) so during pressing I don't have to press so much to squeeze out the whey. And it did the job quite well, I am happy with it.  I am using it again today for another make of raclette, this ring needs some breaking into I think. Once it is flexible enough, I think I can also use this for brie.

[Al Lewis]

Should be great for emmentaler. ;D

[AnnDee]

Yes Al, I reckon this is good for a lot of Alpine cheeses :)

[Gregore]

I think I might look into making a stainless version of this , if the price for a roll of metal is reasonable

[AnnDee]

If it is successfull, please let me order few from you  ;D

[AnnDee]

FYI, I bought another wooden ring mould from europe (Netherlands) and it is so much more flexible and easy to handle. It is thinner wood but still strong to hold the curd. I highly recommend it.

[Gregore]

Do you have a link to the molds?

Thanks

[AnnDee]

http://www.thecheesemouldshop.com/index.php?action=home&lang=EN
They reply promptly too.