Apple Shredder

[Runningwolf]

I am looking for a decent electric shredder for pears and apples. I've heard of several people buying electric garden shredders from Harbor freight. Has anyone here tried that?
I have Happy Valley Apple Press which you can get a motor for but the reviews I saw weren't the best. I would like a separate unit.

 

[pjd]

Dan, I use a stainless steel In-Sink-Erator garbage disposer. It does a great job and is easy to clean and use.

 

[Runningwolf]

I've been reading up on those, thanks

 

[vacuumpumpman]

Dan -
I freeze mine first and let them thaw and then just use a standard crusher - soo easy and juicy !!

 

[Runningwolf]

Dan -
I freeze mine first and let them thaw and then just use a standard crusher - soo easy and juicy !!

I froze my crab apples but it was still a chore shredding them with the hand crank.

 

[vacuumpumpman]

There was a youtube video - that they used a washing machine and a fast spin cycle !!

found it !!

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj9z7NbO9mk[/ame]

gotta watch it !!

 

[Deezil]

Dan,

Can you rig that up to accept a power drill?
Take the handle off and get your drill on there, and 'go to town'!

 

[Runningwolf]

I would not want to be the one holding the drill for several hours and that would require two people. I prefer to be prepared for a one man show as we all know how quickly the spouse can get bored. The shredder below is the one I was thinking about from Harbor Freight. It would require removing the the top to allow apples larger then 1.5". Might be perfect for crab apples.

The other option is just break down and get the motor kit meant to be on my unit for 3x the price.. I was just hoping for a separate machine the would be speedy.

 

[GreginND]

Here's another 1.5" chipper shredder that is even cheaper:

http://www.amazon.com/Joe-Chipper-CJ601E-Electric-Shredder/dp/B007VX11O8/ref=lp_3753621_1_1?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1399064457&sr=1-1

 

[GreginND]

A better deal from Walmart:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sun-Joe-Chipper-Joe-14-amp-Electric-Wood-Chipper-Shredder/19592812

 

[Runningwolf]

Thanks Greg I think those are both the same as the one at Harbor FReight but a different color. They are certainly cheaper though. Now the big Q. Do you spend $100 this year to find out it isn't adequate or go for broke and buy the right thing.

 

[Deezil]

... We all know you're going for broke....

 

[grapeman]

Dan for the little apple we process we still use the little grinder like you have. No need to buy a fancy setup. Remove it from the press and mount on it's own plywood frame and attach a motor to that. Add a switch and you are all set. Just make the plywood big enough to fit over a brute. When you grind the apples or pears, place it on the brute and process away. Let it sit overnight with some pectic enzyme and press the next day. Some ascorbic acid or some k-meta will help from getting too much browning. The hardest part is scooping the mash out of the brute into the press. You could also grind into a 5 gallon bucket and dump into the press bag. We used a motor we had so the whole thing was practically free with a little time to put together.

 

[Runningwolf]

That sounds good Rich. Last year I used all 5 gallon paint strainer bags and that does help out immensely. So you pressed the very next day before fermentation.

 

[grapeman]

We press the apples soon, making it like a cider and then fermenting that. The pears go into a bag for a while before pressing. I think your way yields more juice. With the apples we get about 2.5 gallons per bushel, but around here you can get apples really cheap. It's easier to ferment just the juice.

 

[Runningwolf]

That makes sense. I can buy fresh unpasteurized cider fairly cheap, which I do for fermenting. I am currently crushing crab apples and pears. The reason I like buying apple cider is the farmer has the large variety of trees and he is the expert at using the right blend of apples to make the best cider.

 

[GreginND]

Considering the Italian Zambelli apple crusher that I really want starts at $1500, I think $110 for the chipper/shredder is a steal. I ordered it and we'll see. If it doesn't work at least I have a small wood chipper I can use on the farm.

 

[Runningwolf]

Greg, I also looked at that crusher as it kept coming up in my searches. I considered the garbage disposal method that Phil mentioned but I don't want to get into cutting up apples. I'm afraid the stem and seeds would get chewed up too much adding an off flavor. With my current shredder the stems and seeds are not an issue with apples or pears.
Greg your assignment is, stay home long enough to receive the new toy and have a supply of apples ready to go. Have Pro Cam charged up and ready to go. We plan to see "film at 6pm". If you wish to do a White paper on it that's fine but please give us the Cliff Notes version.

 

[GreginND]

Yes, I considered a garbage disposal too. It looks like you have to keep pushing the apples down with a stick. They don't just get processed and spit out the bottom. Looks like more work than it's worth. I also don't want the seeds chopped.

 

[WVMountaineerJack]

I think everyone who wants to make their own cider from apples goes down the same road looking for something to grind up their apples. The problem I see with the garden shredders is that its nonfoodgrade metal, put some acidic apple juice on that metal and then rust, you can put some protective coating on the meatal parts, but what about the shafts that rotate etc, people say oh they only come into contact with the metal for a microsecond but its in contact the whole time from when you start to finish. THe euro ones are nice, but do they even work on our power, good luck getting parts, over here its either full on commercial or half assed. We got a Weston, I put a 3/4 inch drill on it, trigger locks so only 1 person to run it, can fill up a couple Brutes pretty quick.

Do you add your crabs to the farm bought cider for some tannins?

WVMJ