Re: Using a Press for the First Time

"Ed Marks" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Thanks Lum - I will definitely apply pressure in small increments, and try
> to minimize foam coming out.  You mention doing three or more press
cycles,
> but how do you decide when you've done enough?  Isn't there a point where
> you're just extracting tannins and other bitter elements that won't help
the
> wine?
>
> Thanks again.
>
> Ed

Ed,
The amount of work required is just about the same for each press cycle, but
less wine is produced each cycle.
For example, with a 1/4 ton press, you might get about:
28 gallons the first cycle, 7 gallons the second cycle, 2 gallons the third
cycle and 0.5 gallons the forth cycle.  So, deciding when to stop is easy.
You wont extract very much bitter material if you keep the pressure to less
than 30 - 40 pounds per square inch.
lum