Building a Water Wheel to Power a Cider Mill

Phil Watson grew up on an old farm with an old cider press that powered a water wheel. When a water wheel turns it produces a lot of force, so his mom back then had the old wheel taken down. That water wheel made a big impression on Phil so years later he built his own water wheel powered cider press on his 200 acre lot where he mills up lumber.

In this episode hear the full backstory of building the water wheel with one oak tree. The 3 story cider house is set up with the top floor designed to receive the apples and the old leaf mulcher now used to grind up the apples.

The second floor is where the press is set up and there is even a bike on that floor that can be used to also power the press.

The bottom floor is where the juice is received in an old milk tank.

Making Cider with the Water Wheel Powered Cider Mill

Water Wheel - 14 diameter

When the wheel is turning:

20 gallons pre pressing on a rack and cloth press that Phil also built. They can do 4-5 pressings an hour.

Phil's label for his bottles says Snake Cider Company with the logo, "Don't Eat the Apple. Drink the Snake"

Follow Cider Chat Sponsors!

• CiderCon2021 February 1-4, 2022 - A virtual trade conference for the cider industry hosted by the American Cider Association. Register today!
• New York International Cider Competition - February 21, 2022 4rd Annual New York International Cider Competition for commercial makers. Judges are real buyers making this competition stand apart from all others in cider. Send in your ciders now.

Commercial Makers - Enter the New York International Cider Competition 

Help Support Cider Chat Please donate today. Help keep the chat thriving!

Find this episode and all episodes at the page for Cider Chat's podcasts.

• Listen also at iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher (for Android), iHeartRadio , Spotify and wherever you love to listen to podcasts.
• Follow on Cider Chat's blog, social media and podcast
• Twitter @ciderchat
• Instagram: @ciderchatciderville
• Cider Chat FaceBook Page
• Cider Chat YouTube