Hi
I'm new at cheese making and would like to start making pressed cheeses. The presses on the market are very pricey and when cheap they use PVC which I refuse to use due to the release of bad chemicals during the pressing. I'm not very good at DIY so can anyone recommend a good place to buy one not too expensive please? Thanks
Ludi
Hello pinkcell,
Same problem here! I'm not a DIY and still don't have a cheese press. Just like you I've looked around on the web but still haven't found anything under $100 that would suit my needs. So now I'm committed to build my own dutch press soon. Wish me luck :D
BTW, check out ebay. There's a seller that builds dutch presses for $125. Looks very well made IMO and it's better that all those other spring loaded presses. That dutch press on ebay just might be your best option... Sorry.
Good luck!
I am also new to cheesemaking, however, I did build a dutch-style press. It was very low cost (about $20), and can easily deliver 10 PSI on a 4.5" mold (160lbs on the plunger). It can actually take more weight than that. I did, however, use some scrap red oak for the arms, so I would add $7 to the cost.
I am currently building a better version of this dutch press, which will have a guide for the plunger. Until then, I can guide you on building a press. My design delivers a 2.5-5.5 mechanical advantage, and can handle around 70lbs at the end of the arms (don't count on this, I used resins to harden the wood-- count on a 50lb load at 5.5 MA).
(http://i837.photobucket.com/albums/zz292/Moodock/Cheese001.jpg)
(http://i837.photobucket.com/albums/zz292/Moodock/PB070002.jpg)
(http://i837.photobucket.com/albums/zz292/Moodock/Cheddar009.jpg)
Hi Moondock,
Nice press! As a matter of fact I was checking out your previous post about this press. As for the guide for your plunger, all you need to do is screw-in two more 1"x 2" a few inches underneath and place 2 large screws (kind of like you did on the arm) just wide enough to guide the plunger in.
I think I'm going to use your model to build my own press! It looks efficient and simple. Well done Moondock!
BTW, Would you know what is the best wood to use for the arm? red oak or maple or something else? My first thought was to use a hockey stick... I am sooo Canadian... :P
Quote from: pinkcell on November 18, 2010, 01:50:15 AM
Hi
I'm new at cheese making and would like to start making pressed cheeses. The presses on the market are very pricey and when cheap they use PVC which I refuse to use due to the release of bad chemicals during the pressing. I'm not very good at DIY so can anyone recommend a good place to buy one not too expensive please? Thanks
Ludi
You may want to add to your profile where you are located. Who knows maybe some kind soul in your neck of the woods would be willing to help. I know I would be to anyone who lives in Southern California. Anyway here are some links:
1) Dutch style cheese press (http://cgi.ebay.com/Cheese-Press-Dutch-style-Amish-made-/170523142745?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27b3f8aa59) on ebay for $60 + shipping
2) Another one for $90 shipped (http://cgi.ebay.com/Cheese-Press-STURDY-PRESS-4-lbs-200-lbs-/220696952811?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3362903feb)
3) Glengarry has the 8" Tome mold for about $24 + $11 shipping that's Canadian. Make sure you get the non tapering one.
Quote from: Spoons on November 18, 2010, 05:19:40 AM
BTW, Would you know what is the best wood to use for the arm? red oak or maple or something else?
Here is the Table (http://www.woodworkweb.com/Wood-Strengths.html) of wood strengths in several different categories. In general oak seems to be stronger than maple, and hickory looks quite amazing. But have a look and see what else might catch your eye. I got this thanks to the tip from Alex and RenaissanceMan from my cheese press thread. Which reminds me I need to update those drawings and post them in the thread. I need to find a decent drawing program. :-[
Quote from: Spoons on November 18, 2010, 05:19:40 AMMy first thought was to use a hockey stick... I am sooo Canadian... :P
;D So then I should not have sold all of my gear then ??? >:( :) Doh! Go Kings Go.
Quote from: Spoons on November 18, 2010, 05:19:40 AM
Hi Moondock,
Nice press! As a matter of fact I was checking out your previous post about this press. As for the guide for your plunger, all you need to do is screw-in two more 1"x 2" a few inches underneath and place 2 large screws (kind of like you did on the arm) just wide enough to guide the plunger in.
I think I'm going to use your model to build my own press! It looks efficient and simple. Well done Moondock!
Thanks! I am glad you like the press. To make a guide for my next press, I am going to cut a groove with a dado blade into the two upright boards, and make a free floating guide in between the two posts.
Quote from: Spoons on November 18, 2010, 05:19:40 AM
BTW, Would you know what is the best wood to use for the arm? red oak or maple or something else? My first thought was to use a hockey stick... I am sooo Canadian... :P
For the arms, I would use oak. Keep in mind though that the weak spot on my press is where the arms attach to the backboard. The backboard is pine, but was hardened with a thinned out epoxy resin to improve strength. If you want to greatly improve the strength of the press, use a hardwood backboard.
Good luck, happy building, and let us know what you come up with! :D
2) Another one for $90 shipped (http://cgi.ebay.com/Cheese-Press-STURDY-PRESS-4-lbs-200-lbs-/220696952811?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3362903feb)
That $90 press is well made and very efficient. It is capable of generating a lot of pressure for a small press. He has a demo on You Tube. A really good deal for the money.
WOW so many answers in so little time. THANKS! I did check ebay and the one you suggested at 90 bucks shipped did catch my eyes. Isn't it too pricey? I already spent a lot with ingredients and molds so my wallet is starting to scream at me!
Moodock: I saw your post and fell in love with your press. I was waiting for you to post the details on how to make it. A friend works wood as a leisure and he may be able to build one for me. Would you have more info on how you made it all in one place?
Thanks again folks!
Quote from: pinkcell on November 18, 2010, 09:19:16 PM
Moodock: I saw your post and fell in love with your press. I was waiting for you to post the details on how to make it. A friend works wood as a leisure and he may be able to build one for me. Would you have more info on how you made it all in one place?
Thanks again folks!
Sure:
(http://i837.photobucket.com/albums/zz292/Moodock/press.jpg)
The base is made out of 2x4 (which are not really 2"x4"). I cut 4 pieces of 2x4 in 11.5" lengths. I then drilled holes and used wooden dowels and wood glue to hold the base together for the time being. I clamped the pieces together and let dry over night. I then trimmed the base to 12"x10 3/4". The backboard is a piece of 2x4 cut to 20" in length. I then cut a 2" deep section out of each side to create the protrusion that the arms will mount to. The protrusion is 1" in thickness.The other upright board is 16" in height. The pieces between the 2 upright boards are 9" in length, and were made from a piece of 2x2 cut to 1" in thickness. Both upright boards were doweled and glued in place, and clamped. The two pieces between the upright boards were also put in place, glued, and clamped. Once dry, I put 2 screws from the bottom of the bade up through each upright board, and a mending plate place on the outside of each board where it joins the end of the base, and a screw into each end of each piece between the upright boards.The legs are 2x2 cut to 32" length. They were also glued to the base for the time being. When dry, I placed 2 screws into each 2x4 section making up the base. The arms were made out of 1x2 red oak, cut to a 30" length. The plunger was just a scrap piece of red oak, and is 18". After marking out the various MA spots, I drilled the holes, sanded, stained, and put on a few coats of polyurethane.
If you friend is a good woodworker, have him mortise and tenon the joints instead of so many screws, especially on the backboard. That is what I will be doing on my next press.
Hope that helps you some.
My friend who works the wood will go on vacation during Thanksgiving and I'm not patient at all. It seemed like the press on ebay was a good deal so I threw a tantrum and bought it. With the bill me later program I will get 10 doll back so my press will be 80 bucks shipped. Not too bad! It should take about a week or so for delivery.
I appreciate a lot all your info Moodock. I'm sorry I won't follow your design but I'm sure it will inspire someone else soon.
Thanks a lot to everybody for your help, advice and comments.
Moodock, your press is a thing of beauty. Thanks for posting all the details. I like the stain you used, just beautiful!
Quote from: smilingcalico on December 27, 2010, 05:16:47 AM
Moodock, your press is a thing of beauty. Thanks for posting all the details. I like the stain you used, just beautiful!
Thanks! The press has served me well thus far. My edam and gouda were a big hit this christmas. I am actually working on a new press that will fit two stackable molds up to 8.5" in diameter, and made of solid hardwood. The press in the picture is mostly fir. While I treated the fir with conditioner, it still took in more stain than the red oak arms, which I expected. I forget the name of the stain I used, but it is VERY dark as that was just two coats. It was finished with 3 coats clear polyurethane. Since this press never comes into contact with the cheese ( I use drips trays I made), I thought a stain and finish was acceptable and safe. When the new press is completed, I will supply a full PDF of the construction schematics so that even a first-time wood-worker can build it.
I have made and been using homemade cheese presses for a couple of years without any problems. The ones I made are made from Sanilite food grade plastic with stainless steel hardware. The press tubes are virgin PVC. The 4" does a 1-2 lb wheel and the 6" does 2-5 lb.
CHEESE PRESSES
1-2 LB 4" DIA. $70.00
2-5 LB 6" DIA. $85.00
PLUS SHIPPING AND HANDLING
Will also work for pressing grapes, cooked cabbage, etc. Easy to clean with mostly stainless steel components and food grade poly/PVC.
Contact:
Bill@ Shelburn.Com
Sailor thanks for the link. It was expired but I found him anyway. I bought one tonight. It's exactly what I was looking for! I'm not a DIY guy without adult supervision. And my homemade press is dangerous above 50lbs.
Since it's eBay and things come I go I thought I would post the seller's name: riverwoodshop http://myworld.ebay.com/riverwoodshop/ (http://myworld.ebay.com/riverwoodshop/)
You can find HDPE pipes in various diameters cut to length in various speciality industrial supply stores.
They can also make a follower for you using a circular saw with 1` sheet.
Just an update. Here is my new press I ordered on eBay. It's pretty nice, only used it twice so far but it works better than my homemade one. ;D