As soon as I came across this video (below) from LundFamProd on Youtube, I just had to share it. You can actually make apple cider right inside of your washing machine. And, if you’re feeling up to it, you can convert between using your washing machine for laundry as well as grinding up apples for cider. I didn’t actually think this would work, but the results are surprising and mind blowing.
To begin such a feat, you will want to clean out your washer with bleach with multiple rinses to make sure it’s clean—no one wants to drink soapy cider! During the video, the process of converting your washing machine into a temporary apple grinder is explained rather than shown.
It’s a matter of removing the clothes spinner and creating a hinged grinder wheel made out of wood with exposed nails facing upward. This wheel fits onto the bottom of the washer with the open center fitting over the agitator. To make sure the grinder wheel stays in place, you’ll need to concoct some sort of screwed-in top to secure the wheel and still allow it to spin. You’ll also want to create an apple chute with a plastic tube supported by a couple pieces of wood to set on the top cabinet; make sure the tube is a couple inches above the grinder wheel and secure it by drilling it into the top cabinet. I noticed in the video, the washing machine lid is removed; make sure to cover any remaining space with a hard plastic covering…it goes without saying this would definitely void your warranty, so this modification is perfect for an older unit you’d otherwise toss out.
Clip the drain hose to a bucket, and turn on your machine. Press the power button, and select the spin cycle with no second rinse on high speed. Now it’s time to toss in the apples. If you find your apples get stuck while chucking ‘em down the chute, use a plunger made out of a couple pieces of wood with a stopper on it.
Overall, you can get about 2 1/2 gallons from a couple bushels of apples. Once you get the cider, filter it into another bucket.
Simple, ingenious, and you’ll have apple cider for days.
Photo by: Aidan | Flickr
