All hard cheese must be pressed. Cheese presses compact the curds
and expel whey (moisture). Sanitise your cheese press, including any parts,
line cheese mould with cheesecloth (or muslin) and fill with curds. Cover curds
with cloth then add the follower (a plastic disk that covers the cheese
surface) and press. The cheesecloth helps to wick away the moisture as the
cheese is pressed. Excess whey is drawn out the sides of the mould through the
numerous holes in the cheese mould and the bottom of the press. Removing the
cheese from the mould, unwrapping and flipping the cheese between every
pressing stage helps to achieve the same consistency throughout the cheese.
Too much pressure = cheese too hard and dry.
Not enough pressure = cheese too soft and might spoil during aging.
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PLASTIC CHEESE PRESS
i.e. Mad Millie
Available from kitchen supply and homebrew stores. Made from
food grade plastic, easy to clean and ready to use but higher in price. To
use, simply line base with cheesecloth, add curds, cover with cloth, add disk
and remaining cloth (on top of the cloth) then add the lid and twist to
secure. Twist the handle to increase pressure. A scale will pop up and show
the pressure level (up to 20kg). 2L volume.
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DUTCH CHEESE PRESS
A wooden cheese press you can make at home with
basic woodworking skills, low in cost and able to be used with most cheese
moulds up to 4.5kg (10lbs) and you can add weights (pressure) up to 45kg
(100lbs). Wipe carefully after use and ensure cheese does not come in contact
with the wood.
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WALL MOUNTED DUTCH CHEESE PRESS
Using a wall bracket to make a Dutch press. Basic
woodworking skills
required, low cost and ability to use any size of
cheese mould. The press can be
removed from the bracket for storage.
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CHEESE PRESS WITH SPRINGS
A press you can make yourself or buy online for
around the same price as the plastic cheese press, but this press is much sturdier!
The base and handles are made from HDPE (a food grade plastic). The threaded
rods, nuts and washers are stainless steel. Wipe clean before and after use.
Twist the handle to push the spring down and increase the pressure.
Spring 3/4 compressed = 15kg (33lbs) pressure
Spring fully compressed = 22kg (48lbs) pressure
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