Konrad:

I don't know why you would want to put fresh apple juice into a pressure tank, but a beer keg would be a stainless steel vessel that can be sealed.

If you leave a sealed keg full of unsulfated apple juice at ambient temperature, it will eventually ferment and explode with a resounding boom that will be heard all over the far north.

When we press juice, we put it in gallon plastic jugs that go into the freezer.

Don Yellman, Great Falls, VA

Thank you Don!
>>If you leave a sealed keg full of unsulfated apple juice at ambient temperature, it will eventually ferment and explode with a resounding boom that will be heard all over the far north.

LOL.....LOL....LOL>>>

Not if it's a high pressure tank!

They hold about 10 bar, 145PSI

A beer keg holds only 60PSI

The idea behind this clever invention is, not totally fermenting the juice!

The fermentation stops when reaching high pressure, so you end up heaving a sparkling cider, half way fermented, sweet sour, just awesome stuff!!

The barrel has a drain, ball valve, so no new air is getting in when taking cider out.

You can duplicate the same thing by putting the juice into pop plastic bottles, tighten the lid good and leave it, not one ever exploded on me!....the only problem is to open it up safely without loosing too much of the good stuff. I have to try freezing it over night.

I'm having enough frozen juice now, so a little sparkling moooonshine would be nice.

This is my juice making set up.
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Konrad

It looks like we north Americans don't know what we are missing!
This unique way of preserving juices is done in Europe for many years now. Have filled a few of those barrels I have juiced for some years now belonging to Swiss people, brought over from Switzerland....I might have to do so someday or ordering from there?
It is also nice to use it on other juices like grape and berries.

This is what they look like.
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That sounds like a neat idea with the pop bottles, Konrad. I'll try a few of them this year. Those kegs in your picture look just like 15-gallon beer kegs but I guess they are some high pressure version? I checked my 5 gallon Cornelius kegs and they are rated at 130PSI so that is getting close - maybe some homebrew supply house can help you find a high-enough rated one. I have fermented cider in cornelius kegs but I depressurize periodically.

By the way can you describe how your juicer apparatus in the picture works? I have the usual grinder/presser thing. The top unit looks like the grinder but the bottom unit doesn't look like any presser I have ever seen.

Scott

Thank you Scott for your feed back!
That Cornelius keg sounds good but don't think I would try to use it, was reading that fermentation stops at around 145 PSI.

>>By the way can you describe how your juicer apparatus in the picture works? I have the usual grinder/presser thing. The top unit looks like the grinder but the bottom unit doesn't look like any presser I have ever seen.

You're right! .. the top is the grinder.
The juice gets out by the concept of centrifuge, a slightly modified spin dryer [laundry].
I can do about 100 Liter /hour, very clean juice, no pulp left over.
I will post some pictures in the near future.
This is how the pulp looks after it comes out of the centrifuge, [inside a pillow case]
Konrad

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I got a Keg in around Christmas time, ordered from Ontario, shipped from Germany, my frozen juice kept out door under the snow,... see pics.
Juice is in the Keg about 4 weeks now, in another month I should be able to tap into.
Will keep you posted how it turns out.
If anyone is interested in a Keg, I can give you the source.
Konrad

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Konrad, That's an amazing setup. Looks like you've got it down to a science. You seem to be doing large quantities. I've got a small apple grinder and a Mehu Maija juicer - small scale - but the pressure keg looks great. Are there any web sites that show the keg and process used? Is it pressurized manually?
I suspect that it's out of my league, but would certainly appreciate the source and more information.

>>Are there any web sites that show the keg and process used? Is it pressurized manually? Below is the Website where I ordered,... it sure took a while to get it, because they didn't know themselves that something like this exist!
I had to explain and sent pictures first, then they ordered in a few with other Kegs they usually get from Germany.

If you want a Keg, talk to Richard, he knows all about it now.

>>>Is it pressurized manually?No, this is the beauty of this!
Fermentation of fresh apple juice will make Carbon dioxide.
Konrad

Here is a link that might be useful: Kegs....

Thanks, Konrad. I think I'm finally getting it. The fresh juice ferments until the pressure in the keg reaches 145 PSI. At that point, fermentation stops and the juice is preserved at a "sparkling" stage. It does not need to be refrigerated or frozen since the pressure stops the breakdown process from continuing.
What happens as you begin to draw off juice? Does the pressure drop and fermentation restart?
What are the kegs called, and about how much do they cost? It seems as if they would save a lot of space (storing bottled juice and empty bottles), time and effort (one container to wash and fill). Sounds real good for large quantities of juice if the kegs aren't terribly expensive.

You got it!

>>What happens as you begin to draw off juice? Does the pressure drop and fermentation restart?

Yes, it will start fermentation again slightly, until the pressure is back up!
So, the sparkling juice will have slightly more alcohol level toward the end, not really a problem if you like it that way, if not, you can compensate the loss of pressure with a second pressurized carbon dioxide bottle.

>>What are the kegs called, and about how much do they cost?

I think, there is no English name yet because it seems they never been sold to North America.
I just called them High Pressure Keg,... when corresponding to Schaefer Kegs [Richard]

You should be able to buy it in USA, Schaefer Keg have a outlet there too I think.

In German, they are called Edelstahl Druckfass [Most].....Stainless Steel Pressure Tank

I paid $ 200 ea. [Canadian] bought 2 of them.
That included pressure gauge & drain valve.
I thought it was reasonable, when you consider
in Europe they are sold around 200 euros.
Shipping was $ 40.- for both.

This website below is in German, when you scroll down
you can see the keg, this is the one I have, there is also
another version available with top drain,
[not Schaefer]......I like bottom better,
because easier to clean I think.

Konrad

Here is a link that might be useful: Keg

Update:
Just finished the last drop of the apple wine.
This is how it looks when filling a glass, it comes out as foam first, then it settles.
I love this stuff!....It can grow on you and it's good for you! Have nothing added to the juice.
Konrad
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