When shopping for a cheese press, you can expect to pay a high price. If you plan to make cheese on a regular basis, the price may be worth it. But if you just want to make the occasional round of homemade cheese as a hobby, you can make your own cheese press for a fraction of the cost. All you will need is a few supplies from your local home-improvement center.
Needed Tools
You will need a drill with a 1/4 inch bit, a table saw, a hand saw and a belt sander. If a table saw isn't available, you can get by with just a good hand saw. If you have a jigsaw, it can be used instead and will make cutting the following even easier.
Supplies
At the local home improvement center, purchase one 1-by-6 inch maple or oak board, one length of PVC plumbing pipe 5 inches in diameter and three 1/4 inch carriage bolts 8 to 9 inches long. You will also need two 1/4 inch wing nuts and one round cabinet pull that will screw onto one of the carriage bolts. Purchase the shortest length of maple board and PVC plumbing pipe you can buy as you will only need 2 feet of board and 6 inches of pipe.
Make Your Cuts
Cut two 6 inch and one 3 inch sections from the maple board. Draw a 4 3/4 inch circle on one of the 6-inch sections. Use the hand saw to cut away the excess wood from the circle. Use the belt sander to smooth away any excess from the circle that you cannot remove with the saw. Cut the PVC plumbing pipe to 6 inches in length. Use the drill to place three rows of holes 1/2 inch apart on one end of the pipe. Drill two holes in each 6-inch maple board, centered 1/2 inch from each side. Drill one hole 1/2 inch from each end on the 3-inch wide piece of wood. Cut a third hole in the center of the 3-inch piece.
Put It Together
Place a carriage bolt in the holes of one of the pieces of 6-inch wood. Set the PVC pipe between the bolts. Place the round piece of wood inside the pipe. Insert the third carriage bolt in the center of the 3-inch piece of wood with the screw portion facing up. Place the 3-inch board over the two carriage bolts on the cheese press base and secure with the two wing nuts. Attach the cabinet door handle to the top of the center carriage bolt. The cheese press is complete.
To Use
Wash the PVC pipe before use. Place the cheese cloth covered curds into the pipe and assemble the press, placing the wooden circle on top of the curds. Place the 3-inch piece in place and secure with the wing nuts. Use the cabinet knob to press the wooden circle onto the curds. Continue to tighten every hour or so until the cheese is pressed to desired density.
Tags: , 3-inch piece, carriage bolt, carriage bolts, piece wood, plumbing pipe,