Thanks for all the info!
The wood is very dark and discolored. I am note sure I can take all the bolts out without breaking them. I can soak the entire basket in a salt solution, then rinse and rinse. Then sanitize it.
I want to press apples this fall, no wine yet. I can then take it apart this winter and shave them all. Do I then apply something to the bear wood after I shave them?
The reason I thought the wood was cedar, cause they were so light. Maybe they were dryed out. I will shave these down and use them.
I also have a grape crusher, needs to be repaired.
I plan on using the 4x4 deal on the apples before I press them.
The screw comes up from the bottom. I will look into the screening, and not the bag.
snipped-for-privacy@yahoo.com (Pete) wrote:
>
> > It is a ratchet type press. It seems to have a lot of grease on it.
> > Is this good? I cleaned most of it off.
> > What should I use to lube this?
>
> Clean off the grease as best you can, and use a food-grade grease (in
> case it gets into your wine). I use olive oil on my press, and wipe it
> down and re-oil it each time I use it.
>
> > I gave the entire press a once over with a scrub brush and water, I
> > didn't use any chemicals or soap.
> > Should I clean this like I do all my beer equipment?
> > Do I need to santize it?
>
> You need to clean it thoroughly and sterilize everything. Quite
> frankly, if it were me, I would disassemble it, and shave each board
> down to bare wood. At the very least: Remove any deposits,
> wood-shavings, dust, cobwebs, etc. Wash it out with warm water, and
> sanitize it with a 10% metabisulphite solution. If the boards are
> really dirty, you can soak them in a saline solution (1-1/3 cups salt
> per gallon), or use a barrel-cleaning product, and then rinse VERY
> thoroughly afterward.
>
> > The guy gave me some half circles and 4x4 blocks.
> > I understand how they work, but are they a special wood?
> > They look like cedar.
> > The 4x4's are pretty nasty. If it is just cedar I would like to > > replace them.
>
> I don't think they would be cedar. They are probably oak. You can
> replace them with any hardwood. For that matter, you could use (less
> expensive) framing lumber. It probably won't hold up, but it's worth a > shot.
>
> > I want to use the press for some apples.
> > Is there a bag or netting I need to put the apples in?
> > Before I put them into the press?
>
> 1) You have to crush the apples (or grapes) before you can press them.
> If you don't have a crusher, this can be done by placing the fruit in
> a large barrel or bucket and pounding them with a (clean and
> sterilized) 4x4 post.
>
> 2) You do need some sort of press-bag or netting.
>
> You can purchase an expensive press bag from Happy Valley
>formatting link
> a more reasonably priced one from Presque Isleformatting link
> Grape&Granaryformatting linkor almost any homebrew > shop.
>
> Or you can buy a "paint straining bag" for a dollar at Home Depot, the
> disadvantage being they are a little finer mesh than ideal.
>
> Or you can use some nylon window screening.
>
> If your press has the screw coming up from the bottom (rather than an
> overhead screw), the window screening or several paint straining bags
> may be the best bet.