We moved to the farm to start an orchard, the pigs were a side operation that kind of took on its own life. We are happy there is demand and that the pigs are paying for more of the farm to be built up. But, at least for me, the orchard is still the prize we are working towards. This summer I took up beekeeping. We will plant 25 more trees in the next few weeks, and I have been searching high and low for a cider press that we could afford and worked and was in good condition AND that would double as a cheese press.
Then we found one for sale online, pretty near the major city to the north of us. At a great price, when we happened to have the money.
It needs to be sanded down and the wood re-oiled with food grade mineral oil but other than that it is in fantastic shape. We will do our first pressing of apples next weekend. The pigs will get the apple pulp and we'll freeze the yummy juice.
We also inherited 2 antique hand churn ice cream makers! They too need work, but not only were they free, but carry part of our family history!
What amazing things have you found at garage sales, wanted/for sale adds, or in a friend's basement?
3 comments:
Congratulations on your find and your inheritance. :)
It is interesting that it took so long. We have come across cider presses and ice cream churns in teh last 3 years, but either didn't have the $$ or the machines were in bad bad shape. Sometimes it is just a matter of letting people know what you are looking for, as in the case of the churns or just being willing to wait for the right item.
We didn't wait when we bought our first tractor, which ended up being a tractor shaped boat anchor after 1/2 a use. And were to quick to replace it with a similar machine which is also, surprise!, not running. Now we'll have to replace that one too. In the end we'll have spent twice the money for half the product and spent 2 years without equipement we actually need.
Glad you found a cider press - my husband made one this year from scraps of wood that he had lying about - this worked well for our very small production of cider. We are hoping to make a more industrial sized press next year. My best find was not at a jumble sale but a collection of the 'expert books' from my gramp that died. there are about 5 books about vegetables, fruit trees, flowers etc... I use them every day! Stacey
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